Introduction

I am going to have total temporomandibular joint (TMJ) replacement on both sides at the age of 21. I am going to have metal plates, screws, hooks, etc. in my face for the rest of my life and that is such a strange concept. Both of my mandibular condyles are being broken down through a process of resorption. My right condyle has been resorbing quicker than the left and it has caused my jaw to be crooked, something I had been self conscious of for years and I had no idea what was causing it. My pain started a few years ago and has been progressing ever since.

Now that you know the main issue here, I'd like to take a step back and introduce myself. My name is Ashley, I'm 20 years old and I'm living in Prosper, Texas. I live with my boyfriend, Dillon and I have two dog children, Paisley and Slate. They're both rescue pit bull mixes and I literally treat them like they're my kids (shoutout to their instagram page: @pspibbles). I think if anything could get me through a hard time during this process it would be them. Dogs are the most compassionate and loving things on this planet, I would have a million dogs if I could. I attend Collin College and I will be applying to Texas Women's University's nursing program in the fall (right before my surgery). I could not have asked for a more supporting family; my parents, step-parents, boyfriend, grandparents, brother, sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins are the most wonderful people so I'm not worried one bit about having someone to lean on during the long journey ahead. 

Since my actual surgery is 6-8 months away, I will be writing about my experiences with having braces (for the second time..) and the long and drawn out past few months of being referred to different doctors and discovering my diagnosis. I am hoping this blog can help people through their experiences with jaw surgery or simply give someone a good read. 

Lots of love, 

Ashley