One Week To Today!

Oh wow, I am so bad about writing on this blog.  I am wanting to do better and about this.  As, I am typing this, I am thinking that wow, one week tomorrow I will be in a recovery room for the surgery that was supposed to be earlier in the year but due to set back, had to be pushed back.  I am currently thinking about what all needs to get done at work and I know that as the week narrows and I realize that OH MY GOODNESS, 7 days from today I could look better and have a functional jaw bone.  

This is a new concept for me as I have not had one really for my whole life.  Yes, my former doctor attempted to make one however, just like true Manda fashion, I do not do anything normal or rather it does not end up the way that it was planned.

I am blessed to have my friends, family, and co-workers in my life who are supporting me thru this journey.  I have made friends through this process and I know that in the end it will be better.  I have been asked, am I doing this for me to help make myself "feel good" or am I doing it because I want to...I think it is a little bit of both.  I want to have the option to look normal however, I have been thinking about this...what is normal?  

As, I ponder this week I will post different reflections.  Some will be related to the surgery and some will not.  For example, I was driving the other day and heard a singer sing a song that she wrote about being bullied in school and yes, I will have a post on this.  

So.....stay tuned....

As always, My favorite Verse "All can do all things thru Christ Jesus who Gives me Strength."  I have to hold on to this!

Love,
Manda!

Overwhelemed

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!  I am overwhelmed with all of the love and support that I have been receiving from people at work and friends and family.  I am so nervous.  If I think about it there is only three days before the big day!  I have told people that while this surgery/procedure is complicated, it is from the world go.  It has been over ten years since I have been in the operating room and being put to sleep.  They have to go down a certain way otherwise it will not work.  

I am nervous not just about the surgery itself but that whole process before, the after, and the recovery.  Like, I said, it has been over ten years since I have gone through anything like this.  I do know that everything happens for a reason.  

I have been quiet over the last week but that is because I have been sick.  I would come home from work and be exhausted.  

I hope you all have a good day and weekend!  

Love, 

Manda Moo

TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!

Oh MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  While we rang in the New Year on the way home from my aunt's house this morning, I realized that my surgery is in TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Oh no...I am so nervous and my mind is going a mile a minute.  

I am so nervous and the problem is not the surgery itself but it's outcome.  What will I look like?  Will it take? How much pain is there going to be?  I know these are questions that will be answered after I have surgery and oh yes, there will be pictures to come..don't you worry for my blogger world.  

So, to prepare what have I been doing this New Year's Day???  I have been attempting to catch up on my laundry and doing the dishes so far today, I am on my 4th load of laundry and 3rd load of dishes.  Oh my...is this what nesting feels like?  

Again, I thank-you all for reading my blog and posting comments.  I am sure there will be more to come within the next TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Have I said that enough yet????

Oh and by the way this journey has lead me back to a wonderful person.  She was a nurse at my former oral surgeons office and have not talked to her in forever.  I am so glad that we have reconnected.  Man, things sure have changed!

I hope everyone has what they all dream of in 2013.  As one of my former bosses said "Make it great!"  So let's make 2013 GREAT!!!!!!!  I know I am going to try my hardest!

Love,

Manda Moo!

Thinking!!!!!!

WOW, I just had a realization this week.....

I will have only one full week of work before my surgery.  I enjoyed fellowship tonight after our 5th Sunday singing service.  While enjoying this time, I was telling some of my family friends the process of the surgeries and what will be taking place and I realized that I have not shared it with my blogger world nor have I explained what my disorder is...so let's start there...

I was born with as you all know with Hemifacial Microsomia and basically, I was formed with a deformed jaw bone either way you look at it.  I consider myself lucky because even though I have a hearing problem and/or deformed ear drum, there are many people with this disorder who are missing their whole ears or part of their nose.  My mom even had a student in her class after I was born with a young lady who had her eyes sewn shut.  I am so blessed to have not only the love and support from my family but from my wonderful friends to move forward with the surgeries.  

When I was younger and was having the surgeries, my doctor at the time did not believe in or did not want to do a total jaw replacement with a prosthetic as he felt the natural bone would be more effective.  My former doctor even said that I do not do anything normal so the surgeries that he performed did not take so that is why I am deciding to move forward.  At the time of the last set of surgeries we thought it was the best move an treatment so we agreed.  I know I cannot change the past and I am just thankful that I have a voice in my current treatment and that I am doing this on my own.  I feel that I needed to get to the place to move forward with surgeries.  I know that everything happens for a reason and that I was lead to Dr. Hitchcock when I did because I feel that I was ready.  

I know that it will be a hard road to tow as I am thinking about the surgery and what energy and what I will look like after the first one but I am so nervous.  I know that I have wonderful family and friends to support me in this process.

I want to say thank-you to all of my readers and if you have questions please feel free to ask!  I am an open book!

Love,

Manda Moo

Blessed

As I think about this blog and what I want it to be, I do not want it to be just about my journey with the upcoming surgeries but also with live in general.  Today after work, I had the wonderful opportunity to watch two girls who are amazing and who I enjoy all the time I spend with them.  As I was talking with their mom this evening, she said to me that they are looking for someone to watch her kids during the summer time when school is out.  She made a comment, "We were so lucky to have found you."  But in reality, I am the lucky one as the job started out as my income for a few months while I was seeking employment.  Even after I was hired at my current job, they have been willing to let me watch their children whenever I am off or in anyway that works our schedules.  

I am also very blessed to have not only the job that I have now, but also to have a Master's degree in social work and to have my limited license. When I was a sophomore/junior at Rochester College, I decided to major in behavioral sciences with a concentration in social work.  After three years, I started at Wayne state University for Master's in Social Worker.  I saw what I wanted and went after it.  I set goals and I hope to achieve.  There were many times that not too many people though I would be able to make it but I did it!  I am so blessed to have the support of my family and friends.

I love each and everyone of you!  

Have a great night!

Love Manda Moo!

Wow, what a year.  I decided to start this blog as I am embarking on a journey that is sure going to be an adventure.  Let's start at the beginning.  I was born with a disorder which is Hemifacial Microsomia.  Basically, I was born with a deformed jaw bone on both sides.  I have had several surgeries to help correct it however, none of them took.  After a painful surgery in 2001, I decided to stop having surgeries due to the impact it had on me both physically and mentally. 

 
I have always had a hard time find a dentist I finally found one that has made me feel comfortable.  After two visits to him he recommended me to Dr. Hitchcock through Michigan Oral Surgeons.  After much soul searching, prayer and discussions with my mother and Dr., I have decided to start another round of surgeries.  I look forward to sharing not only my past but my future on this blog.

Truth be told, I have always wanted to share my story however, never figured out a way until recently.  I look forward to hearing from you as I love comments!

I hope you all are enjoying your Christmas.

Manda Moo