New Wires and a Powerchain

Hi Friends!

I know it's been a while since I've written.  I read a lot of blogs about braces, and it always seems that people slack off posting updates when the hardware's been on for a few months, and now I know why.  There's not a lot say!  I have tried to share other aspects of my life here, and I plan to continue doing so.  It's just that when you're doing a lot of introspective work, it's time consuming and doesn't leave a ton of writing time.

Anyways, today's post is about my wire change today.  I had both top and bottom wires changed (for those not wearing the Damon braces system, this is the same as a braces "tightening") and all I can say is Fuck Fuck Fuck. Pardon my language.  My mother in law and I agree that when something is really bad or frustrating, the only real way to feel better is to say a triple Fuck out loud. 

The last wires were on for 6 weeks, and the bottom one partially closed the gap where my 33 was pulled from, and created a bit of a gap between another 2 bottom fronts.  There's still the nasty 35 that's twisted and angled needing space to move.  It has really come along, but it needs more room to straighten out, so now Dr. O put a powerchain on the bottom fronts to close the gaps and make more room for the 35.  And holy triple F it hurts!!!

Part of me really wonders if I am just a really big wuss about the pain, or if it's extra bad for me because of all the trauma to my teeth.  Since the absolute worst of it, what I would unequivocally call PAIN is in my front teeth, while the back are more extremely uncomfortable, I would guess that yes...braces hurt more for me than the average person.  I'm going with that.  It was so unbearable yesterday I considered going home from work (instead I took a painkiller and relegated myself to clearing out my inbox, no complicated tasks for me) and then had to take a muscle relaxer to sleep last night.  I still don't understand why a braces adjustment causes my temporal muscle to tighten up like a vice.  I'm so thankful that I have an acupuncture/massage appointment tonight.

So now it's another 6 weeks until the next wire change.  This pain should subside in the coming days, and hopefully it's smooth sailing from there.   In the meantime, I'm continuing to work on meditation, focused breathing and now I have a couple of mantras that I say to maintain my focus. 
When I am in pain, it's "Easy Day.  I breathe out pain with every breath."
When I want to calm myself and let go, I say "Life itself supports me. I trust in the universe."

So as always: Feed the courage wolf and starve the fear wolf inside you.  Which wolf are you feeding?