My Double Jaw Surgery Journey

Hey guys! It has been so long since I last updated my blog. With so many things going on and stuff to handle and also being lazy, it's kinda hard to find the time and motivation to update. But now I have something which is pretty major for me to update on. Yeap, the title says it all.

So what happened during my jaw surgery journey? Let me bring you through and I hope my experience is able to help others understand more about this surgery and also to bring comfort to those who are experiencing the same thing as me. YOU are not alone. I have gone through and is still going through this journey and I have survived. So can you. SO! Let's start!

A brief introduction on what my surgery is about. I have a slightly flattened face and a long chin due to my underbite. Basically my lower jaw won't meet my upper jaw. So I'm to "move in" my lower jaw and "move out" my upper jaw. Sounds easy right? Everything is done inside my mouth so there is no scar, no cuts on my face. Don't ask me how they do it. I sure do not know. Maybe I should go research on it...

Anyway Day 1. Most will assume I was super nervous or excited or scared. No. In fact I was pretty calm about it. My surgery was scheduled at 9:30am on 6th September 2013, and I have to reached the hospital at 7:30am to do some admission stuff. I had to draw blood again because the previous blood test shows some oddity in my haemoglobin level. I was like "uh oh needles again" and somehow I reacted quite badly to this blood drawing. The doctor and nurses couldn't get blood from me and I was hyperventilating. White spots clouded my visions and I felt faint and nausea. So they decided to call it off and draw blood from me again when I'm in the surgery room. Sounds pretty bad huh?

After that I went to change into the surgery gown and I wait. I was almost falling asleep when they called my name. I walked into a lift where my parents can no longer follow me through and so I'm alone without my specs but with a nurse. The lift brought us up to something like a "depositing" area where I get to lie on the surgery bed. I was given a shower cap to put on and then covered with two blankets but it is still cold. The nurse then pushed me to the waiting room connected to the surgery theater. It was freezing cold and all I had on was a disposable panties and a surgery gown. Not something insulating. The doctors or nurses or medical students there were talking to me, asking me some questions and then they tried to draw blood from me again to no avail.

I waited in that cold room for a while before I was pushed into the surgery theater where I was transferred to the surgery table. Now I'm getting excited and can't wait till it's over. All I could remember in that room was some nurse wrapping something over my legs which are suppose to help my blood circulate and breathing in the oxygen through the oxygen mask. That is where I supposed the anesthetic comes from. The next moment? Someone waking me up and I was back at the "depositing area". Viola. Fast ain't it? The surgery took about 5 hours and they have to observe me for about 2 more hours for the anesthetic to wear off.

Then I was pushed to the observation ward where my parents, friends and relatives came to visit me. I think the first thing I wrote was "why are you crying?" to my dad. Seriously that big crybaby. Haha! I can only converse through writing and my handwriting was horrible. It took a while for them to understand what I want to say and my parents were like doing some hand stunts and alien grunts. I instantly wrote to them "I can hear you". My dad reply was "oh I thought you can't hear us".

My sisters (excluding Jing Wen since she was working) came in after my parents left and I literally cough out blood conversing with them. It's the aftereffects of the surgery; blocked nose and secretion down my throat. It was horrible and I had difficulties in breathing. And where can all the phlegm go to when my jaws are bound together? I had to use a suction tube to suck out all my phlegm before they can suffocate me.

(oppsie... didn't completely finish this post! Anyway I'm happy with the outcome of the surgery. It has really made me a more confident person. So... cheers and smile! Enny)

Personality test

Thought I should post the result up somewhere so that I can refer back to it. LOL!
Do this personality test here!

Your personality type: INFP.

Strength of individual traits: I - 12%, N - 16%, F - 30%, P - 26%.

INFP personalities are usually perceived as calm, reserved or even shy. However, such an exterior can be deceptive – even though INFPs can be somewhat cautions, their inner flame and passion is not something to be taken lightly. People with this personality type are really affectionate, a trait not often seen in other types. This compassion can be really fervent and long-lasting – but the INFP will use it quite cautiously, directing their energies towards a few selected people or a worthy cause. Idealism is the banner of INFP personalities – and they are proud of it. Unfortunately, it also means that INFPs can often feel misunderstood and isolated, as they are relatively rare (only 4.3% of U.S. population).

People with the INFP personality type have a clear sense of honor, which inspires and motivates them. If someone wants to get to know an INFP, it is crucial to know what drives them, to understand their chosen cause.

INFPs seek harmony in their lives and the surrounding environment, often feeling dejected because of all the bad things happening in the world and trying hard to create something positive. People with this personality type tend to see things and actions from the idealistic perspective, rather than the prism of logic. They respond to beauty, morality, virtue rather than utility, effectiveness or value.

INFPs can easily speak in metaphors and parables, and they also have an amazing gift of creating and interpreting symbols – for this reason, INFPs often find it natural to write and enjoy poetry. This personality type does not worship logic, unlike the NT types – from their viewpoint, logic is not always necessary. It is also likely that an INFP will not enjoy hypothetical or never-ending discussions.

INFPs may also often retreat into their “hermit” state (this personality type can easily switch between the two states), withdrawing from the world and getting lost in their deep thoughts – their partner may then need to spend quite a lot of effort to energize and “awaken” the INFP.

INFPs have the trait common among NF types – their aptitude for foreign languages is unmatched. INFPs also often become great writers and actors, as they can easily reflect and convey their own personalities using the fictional characters. Generally speaking, people with this personality type are extremely creative, innovative and goal-oriented – they can be great advocates for causes they truly believe in.

Finally, most INFPs have the ability to notice even the slightest hint of good in other people. In INFP eyes, even the most revolting person will have something worthy of respect or, at the very least, sympathy.

Absolutely crazy

Too many stuff right now. Presentation presentation test test report... But at least I know I will complete them one by one even if it's last minute work. Still... it can get real tough and stressful, and I have been stuffing myself with junkies like I haven't ate for days or weeks. This is crazy! I see my weight bounce back... I went back to read my diet journey and realized all my efforts have gone to waste. But I cannot give up right now.

I have persevered and seen my weight gone to 50kg before. So I will never ever give up till I get back on the right track of leading a lifestyle of health and fitness. I know I can do this and all I need is discipline and motivation. And I really really should plan my time well and not procrastinate. 

"It takes about one month to form a habit." 

And I will take all I have to make it a habit of not procrastinating. Starting from now. I must make this a habit! 43 more days till my surgery and it is more then enough time to form that habit! I can do this! HWAITING!

Cheers, Enny

Revive!

Okay guys, I know I have been too lazy to update my blog and being too complacent about my weight. I did lose weight to 50 kg before bouncing back to ~ 52 kg. Seriously?! Is all the stuff I baked that fattening? Or is eating at night really that bad? Sighs... I should have known better ... BUT! I'm going to start again. Yes again, since I can't give up now. I'm going to start a count-down to the day of my surgery and during this period, I will diet as well. My goal will be a constant 48 kg (or lower) before my surgery. So how many days do I have left till my surgery?

72 days.

Yes, you saw it. 72 days. About 2 months plus. I will have to do this! 4 kg to lose in 2 months! I shall track what I ate again by taking photos but I will not be posting them up. Geez. Who wants to read about what somebody eat on a daily basis? Unless what I ate is some fantastic superb 5-stars super unique food, I will not post about what I ate. Or maybe, just maybe I will post about what I baked. (only the successful ones tho ) ;) And instead of updating my blog daily, I will update on a weekly basis. 

I'm participating in a lot of activities that sometimes I wonder how I can manage them all. But I believe I can and I have not reach my limits yet. That's why I'm stretching myself like how Monkey D. Luffy stretches himself. I believe I can do it and that's why I do it.

That's all I have got to say for now! Ciaos~
Cheers, Ting

A post a week!

So sorry about the recent "dead" blog... I just couldn't find some time to write my blog now that I have to stay back for tennis and diploma plus and Spanish. :X Whoops! So... I'm thinking... perhaps I should post once a week? And it will be about something I learnt about that week etc. Quotes or inspirational thoughts.

But what happens to my "diet blog"? I will continue that as well but I will no longer post pictures of what I ate. What I will be doing is to dedicate a short paragraph to say if I progressed or not. Tadah! Simple as that! I mean it's also hard on you guys to read and see what I ate right? Stomach growling~ ;)

Anyways... I shall end off with a simple sentence from my friend!

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are.

How you interpret it depends on yourself! But thanks to this, I no longer feel that I have to be skinny to boost my self-esteem and confidence. So... see you all next Sunday! 

Cheers, Ting

p.s. it's raining! The best weather to stay home and sip some coffee.

Day 33

Saturday. A day for me to study and complete my homework for the week. I'm still trying to make myself complete the homework for the day though... so that I would have more time to revise on Saturdays. And my usual spot of studying? Jurong Regional Library. Awesome place I tell you.

Breakfast

After studying it's time for a break! Went for a late lunch with Kai Wen and Si Xian at Jcube. Forgot to take photos of what I ate... Anyway I drank beancurd barley soup with ginko nuts, or some hot desserts with barley and ginko nuts. I also had a few mouth of ice cream from both Kw and Sx. Yummy! Then we visited the pet shop near the coffee shop. Look at all the adorable babies!!! See how that hamster sleeps? I was literally squealing when I saw this too-cute-for-words scene. And that bunny! Looks like it tripped off it's basket and fainted. Haha!!

Anyway to those who wonder why I take so many picture of what I ate. This is not a food blog! It's just my way of tracking my diet throughout my journey. Hope you guys enjoy what you see though~ Am I hearing stomach growling? xD Well I'm off to do my stuff! See ya all!

Cheers, Ting

Canned sardine

Hotdogs and edamame

Plum Jelly

Day 31 & 32 (Bento day!)

Day 31

Day 31 and 32 is my bento day. Really love the idea of bringing my own food to school (usually home-cooked by my mom). I mean I don't have to spend a single cent bringing my bento and I can track how much I eat much more easily. Gotta love my bento box, which was from Daiso! 

Anyway nothing much to update about. School started and I was pretty busy. Had to settle myself and set my goals right for a new semester and a new year! 

So far my goal for the holiday was to reach 50kg by April and I have been consistently checking on my weight. On different scale, which gives me different reading. My own weighing machine it shows 50 but I don't trust it. It's kinda rusty? The pointer doesn't point back to zero... I weighed myself in gym too which shows 51~52 but it's because I have my shoes on. Opps! Too lazy to take off my shoes! 

So this week I'm planning to double confirm my weight at Si Xian's house. Maybe I should really invest in one digital weighing machine... 

Shall update soon! Ciaos.

Cheers, Ting

White coffee cookie

Frozen yogurt

Brunch

Lotus paste and red bean paste bun

Hot bean curd

Dinner 

*-* long time since I had this!

Day 32

Breakfast

Lunch

Fruits! om nom nom nom!!

Fried tofu

Day 29 & 30

Day 29

Tuesday is quite a good day I suppose? But it made me realise something: I'm lacking a lot in terms of my tennis skills. The techniques, basics, footwork and body stance. All not up to standard... Of course I will be sad and frustrated but what can I do? One thing I know for sure that I can do is to work harder and train more. And that's what I'm going to do. I really want to enter the school team, not as a reserve but as a main player. Our captain has announced the main players, and I'm not one of them. Expected but... there's still a few more months before POLITE and I want to at least be a reserve who can at least play.

Not going to say a lot about what I ate on Tuesday but I did workout a lot. Gym + tennis training and physical training. But I'm willing to do it. Time to hit more balls!! 

made by Salihah! <3

Day 30

Wednesday is quite slack I would say. Why? Tutorials are cancelled and there's only lecture from 11 to 1 pm. So all I did was to come down for a very dry lecture. Seriously this semester is going to be tough for me. Not because the modules are hard but because they are so boring that I don't feel like studying them at all... 

Anyway what to say? Nothing! Haha.. basically school started and everyday I have are lessons. I guess I will only post about something really special! If there's any. So that's all for this post! ~

Cheers, Ting

I love tennis and I will work hard for it!

Tofu dangos!

Lunch

Dinner

I ate 2 of this

Late-night snack

Day 27 & 28

Day 27

Sunday, I went to visit my ancestors to 扫墓; which literally means "clean the tomb". Of course this time, I'm only visiting their ashes. Was supposed to wake up early to help out mom prepare the food, but oh well you guys should know what happened instead. I slept fully before I woke up. 

The whole day I ate the same food, which was the ones prepared for my ancestors. That's all for Sunday I suppose... 

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 28

Monday. First day of school! I had lab session first and it was so boring.... but at least my lab teacher is humorous and made the lab session fun. Then I had another lab again in the afternoon. And it was even more dry and boring. Oh gosh... how am I going to live through this semester? 

Anyway as you scroll down the page, you will realise I ate a lot of pastries and fried stuff. I didn't realise it though! Good to take down the pictures because you will really overeat... 

After school, I went to visit a little black cat in a pet shop with Kai Wen, Si Xian and Emelia. It's the cat we accidentally found during one of our explorations on Saturday (during the stayover at Amanda's house). The little black cat is a sweetie I swear. Little Kendra is just so hyperactive and adorable. Anyway I'm getting lazier to post my blog... Not really lazy but more of "no time". Heh! So sorry readers! But I'm still glad you people are still willing to read my blog! 

School will certainly be hectic for me! But I know I will have to and must survive through it. See you all later!

Cheers, Ting

p.s. I will take a nice photo of Kendra to show you all when I visit her again! 

Breakfast

Lunch

Donut balls

Apple pie!

Fried chicken

Fried dumplings

Day 25 & 26

Day 25

Day 25 and 26 is really an awesome day that I really let myself enjoy as much as possible. Well, it is also the last week of holiday for me to spend more time with my friends. I certainly did not regret a single thing spent during these two days. Morning is pretty simple; a rice cracker and chilled hotdogs. Yes, chilled because I was too lazy to heat it up. Afternoon I went to meet up with Emelia and Amanda to buy some groceries and of course, wine. At night we ate a very satisfying amount of meat and kimchi in a hotpot. Burps! After walking around the neighborhood to "exercise" a bit, we went back to drink some wine. Yay~

The wine is really really nice and the feeling of being tipsy but not drunk is pleasant. Once in a while is fine but not always though! We only manage to finish two bottles of wine (shown below) as we couldn't take it anymore. I was the first to down; after giggling and laughing hysterically at nothing. But overall it's an awesome stay-over at Amanda's house.

Breakfast

Ondeh ondeh

Lunch

Korean rice wine (this is superb!)

Kimchi

A family of alcohols!

The most normal photo taken when I was super hyper and tipsy.

Day 26

The next day I woke up with no hangover (thankfully). I didn't even know that I fell asleep the moment my head touched the bed. Morning started with a cup of coffee and mash potato. I also had a bite of Amanda's cake. Om nom nom nom! After that we went to explore around Clementi and found a pet shop and was attracted by a little black kitten, Kendra. She was a stray and the shop owner adopted it. Kendra is really really hyperactive and yet gentle. Really felt attracted to her and we (Emelia, Amanda and I) decided to come back visit the cat again. 

Anyway that's all I have to say. The rest of the day was just spent talking to each other and girls' stuff. You people won't want to know it anyway. So see ya all in the other posts! 

Cheers, Ting