Interesting Development.

So remember that one time when I went to the jaw specialist back in August of last year? It was to make sure that I could get my wisdom teeth out fine. I ended up finding out several things:

1-I didn't need my wisdom teeth out before I left on my mission

2- I had something called ligamentous laxity. Which is basically really weak ligaments. My jaw bones were fine. But I still needed to go see a jaw physical therapist.

3-my right maxillary sinus was completely clogged.

I was surprised at the last point but I didn't do anything about it. Dr. Guinn recommended that I see an ENT, but when I went to get my pre mission physical I told the NP that I saw but she didn't seem to care much about it. She said that unless it was symptomatic I didn't need to do anything about it. So I didn't.

However, in January I got a super terrible sinus infection. I was in so very much pain. My upper right molars hurt like heck, I could hardly walk because every time I took a step it felt like someone was pounding on my head, and leaning over was death. I was frustrated. I had just started block classes and couldn't afford to get sick. I prayed and prayed that it would go away. I couldn't do school in that much pain. Eventually the pain went away but I still felt that I needed to get it checked.

But I procrastinated until yesterday. I set up an apt with an ENT and went in to see him. After an eternal wait in the waiting room (where a kind, somewhat odd old man gave me a valentine) I met with the Doctor and showed him my previous x-ray. He was concerned. He told me that they would take another x-ray right then and hopefully it had improved and I would be fine to leave on my mission. However, the x-ray did not show any improvement. It was still just as bad (if not worse) than it was in August. He came in and sat down and said "this is quite a problem. Although you are not currently experiencing any symptoms, over time-probably a couple years-your sinus could cave in on itself. This would change your facial structure and your eye could sink back into your socket. I would recommend getting surgery to open the drainage passage and clear out the fluid or tissue that is clogging it up."

Um, WHAT?! That was just a little to take in all at once. I thought I asked lots of good questions and tried to hurry and think about it and I decided that I might as well go through with it now so I can leave on my mission in time. So I said yes.

And now I'm scheduled for surgery tomorrow. I'll find out the time today. Thankfully it is a Same Day Surgery so I should be able to be in and out in 3-4 hours and then hopefully fine by next week. I just pray that there aren't any complications!

Exciting, huh?