Today’s prompt is 5 Things About Me…
I’m not really one to talk too much about myself actually, but here goes…
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| 1983 – Before Surgery |
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| 1986 – After surgery and braces |
1. I had major surgery in my early thirties that changed the shape of my face because I was having TMJ joint issues. Because of that surgery I now have a chin, but I also have lost some of the feeling in that chin, to the point that I can’t always tell if I spill something while eating or drinking. I had my mouth wired shut for six weeks and during that time I had to eat liquid foods only, first through a syringe with a long tube that I pushed along the inside of my mouth and down to the back of my throat. Eventually I was able to use a straw. I’ll never forget the time I had been practicing all day and when my husband came home from work I was so excited to show him my accomplishment. I said, “Look what I can do” and proceeded to drink through a straw. He started laughing and said, “Very good honey” and took out his handkerchief to wipe all the dribble off my chin. He loves me. I also still have some of the wires in my jaw and you can feel them if you rub along my jawline.
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| 1986 – After surgery and braces |
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| 1983 – Before surgery |
2. I am, according to the Myers-Briggs scale, an INFJ (although my psychology major daughter says that it is a less than a perfect test). I didn’t know what an INFJ was until a few years ago but it perfectly fits this “I don’t like big parties and would rather sit home with a good book” woman. I mean, I’ll go to parties but I am more comfortable with smaller groups of people I know well.
3. I have three sisters and all our names begin with the letter “J.” I wrote about that last year in the A to Z Challenge as my letter “Q” for quartet.
4. I love the beach but don’t get there nearly as often as I could. It seems so far away but is only 20 minutes, max.
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Janet's Smiles 
20 minutes from the beach, I’m jealous!
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Might be less with no traffic. I have no excuse!!
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I would love to walk the Golden Gate! We were in Michigan when they were doing the walk over the Mackinac Bridge, but was still recovering from an RA flare. Doing a walk like that is on my bucket list–I will do it eventually! 🙂
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If you ever decide that it is time to walk the Golden Gate, I’d love to walk it with you. Merry Christmas to you and Mike, Dawn!
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You just might get a call about that in the near future! Merry Christmas to you and your family, Janet! Wishing you many, many blessings always!
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Wow, great way to get to know you. Loved the pictures. You’re brave for going thru the surgery, even it the point was to relieve pain. I wish I had more dental work done when I was younger. I was on the borderline for braces and never got them. Now I wish I did! 🙂
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Thanks, James. My husband said I looked like I had been hit by a truck when he saw me right after surgery. You could still get braces if you wanted I’ll bet, although they are expensive. As long as I can still chew my food and have no pain, I’m okay with it.
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I agree about chewing with no pain! Mine aren’t enough to push myself into braces – at least not enough to deal with the awkwardness for a year or so!
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Interesting.
I have two chins now, but I’m NOT having surgery for that! Haha! TMJ though, that’s painful
I cannot imagine living so close to the beach and not going. It’s unfathomable to me, and yet people are like that. My parents live coastal life and seldom go to the beach, either!
I, too, am an INFJ 🙂
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I am definitely going to make more beach time this year. Yeah, I’ve had THAT double chin (sometimes a triple!). Had no clue what the INFJ stuff was all about until a few years ago. I’ve taken the test several times and I always come out with the same results.
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I loved this post, Janet! I had perfect teeth, until I got old. Things started to shift and turn and I found myself in adult braces for two years, at the age of 47. Although my teeth are straight, I still have issue with jaw pain from grinding my teeth. I love the beach, too!
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There was no way I was going to go through the surgery again, even though they told me it would be easier than the first time. As long as I am not having any pain, I’m done.
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Wow! I worked with a woman who had an extremely prominent jaw that she had corrected. Six weeks wired shut with straw meals. I had minor chin surgery and all I remember was the damn compression wrap that made me crazy. It was minor so nothing was wired. Sisters of the chin! You look beautiful!
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Thanks Kate! All those years growing up I never knew I didn’t have a chin so to speak. On the plus side, I did get down to my lowest weight ever of 128. Then the kids came and each brought 20 pounds with them – LOL
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Oddly enough I had my chin realigned [in a different way than you did] when I was in my 40s because of TMJ. Had braces, had pain. One of the best things I ever did for myself. We are Sisters of the Crooked Chin. 😉
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I am a little bit sorry I did it, to tell you the truth, although since the surgery I’ve never had any TMJ problems. My alignment did not completely hold and six months later they said I could have revision surgery if I wanted. No thank you.
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Interesting. I’m sorry to hear this. I can totally understand why once was enough with the kind of surgery you went through. 😔
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