We started the trip to St. Pete on Monday, the 14th. Since we had good notice of the appointment times (instead of 3 weeks to plan a flight like we did for the consultation), we found a great deal non-stop from O'Hare to Tampa. We arrived in Tampa around 5pm...
Since we've been in the St. Pete area several times in the past 4 months, we knew the area pretty well and found a nice apartment to stay in across the street from St. Pete Beach. After we got settled into our room, we met Natalie for coffee so her and Bec could discuss their surgery stories (Natalie had surgery the same day as Bec...and I totally forgot to take a pic to share). It was great seeing her.
The next morning, the 15th, was the big day. We arrived at Dr. Piper's office at 9:30, and they took Bec for a CT scan that we would later see and discuss with Dr. Piper. After the CT, Tanille came in and did a preliminary check of Bec's progress. Tanille has been great through this whole process and has been a huge help with scheduling appointments and helping gather the info we needed to provide to our insurance company (and, no, our insurance still hasn't paid a dime...and it's not looking promising to get anything). Here is a pic of Bec with Tanille:
While Bec was getting checked by Tanille, we asked whether it was ok that Bec was able to open her mouth and talk with the splint in. Previously, Bec asked the physician assistant, Jeff, if this was normal, and he said not to worry. However, both Tanille and later Dr. Piper said that she should not open her mouth to talk with the splint in. Dr. Piper said that she should leave her teeth in the splint and talk through it. This obviously caused some extra anxiety on Bec's behalf, because she had been told wrong for the past 3 months. She was worried the fat grafts were going to be damaged.
After a brief wait, Dr. Piper came in and did a brief check of the splint and thought everything looked good. Next, we went across the hall to see the results of the CT scan. Dr. Piper sits at a monitor to see the CT for the first time. We both sit next to him at 2 other monitors so we can see the results as well. As I mentioned, Bec was very anxious after hearing she wasn't following all precautions (since she opened her mouth and her teeth came out of the splint while talking), but Dr. Piper said right away that everything looked great. We were able to see the space between her lower mandible and the skull, where previously there was just bone on bone. The fat graft was doing its job!! What a relief. In addition, it appears the degeneration from years of bone on bone has reversed. Dr. Piper mentioned nothing about a full joint replacement. This was mentioned as a possibility in the consultation, especially if the bone continued degenerating. This was another huge relief knowing that the surgery and vitamins helped reverse the degeneration! Dr. Piper even thinks that braces alone will be able to assist in getting Bec's bite back to normal (currently, only a few teeth can even touch). Dr. Piper is awesome (and his mustache is also pretty awesome):
We do have another decision to make concerning another surgery. Because Bec's jaw stopped growing when she was 5, her left jaw bone is much smaller. Dr. Piper would be able to help lengthen the left jaw bone to make that side look more normal. Bec isn't sure if she wants to go through that surgery, but we have at least 3 months to make that decision. For now, we are relieved that the surgery and 3 months of hard work have paid off. Bec is nearly pain free, and I couldn't be happier that she is going to have a normal diet with minimal pain very soon.
After Dr. Piper, we had a consultation with Dr. Hobbs. Since Bec continued treatment back home after the surgery, he was very pleased with her progress. She is regaining the curve in her neck, but has a little work left. Over the years, she's had a lot of migraines, but those headaches have already decreased. Dr. Hobbs thinks if she is treated twice a month for the next few months, even more of the headaches will go away. We were excited to get the good news about her neck as well.
After seeing Dr. Hobbs, we made a quick trip to see Dr. Jackson since one of Bec's brackets were loose. After that appointment, it was time for fooood!
Of course, the first meal after not chewing for 3 months was awesome. It was weird seeing her chew, and she was stuffed - a feeling she hasn't had in a while. Bec loves feeling normal at a restaurant again. The first meal was simple but delicious...a chicken salad sandwich with some french fries and heath bar pie for dessert. The view with the first meal wasn't bad either (we ate at Spinners on St. Pete Beach):
The second meal on the 16th, right before boarding the flight back home, was just as awesome...a burger and fries:
Now we're on the way home to see our kiddos after a rushed, amazing trip to St. Pete.
The next few months will be much easier. Bec doesn't have to wear the splint as much. Right now, she wears it every night along with 4 periods of 2 hours during the day. One more month and she will only have to wear it 3 times during the day, 2 months and it's only twice during the day, working up to no splint during the daytime in only 4 months! We have another appointment on December 8th to see how everything is healing. I will update everyone again then...
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