A Series of Unexpected (but not unfortunate) Events

1.
My retainer no longer fits correctly despite religious wear-age from the day my braces came off
2.
I found out that my insurance covers (and has covered) orthodontia
3.
I found out that my insurance cuts off coverage at the age of 24 (Happy 24th Birthday to me on December 1st)
4.
I was squeezed in today for what I thought was a consultation to discuss my options to fix the problems I have with my teeth/jaw
5.
The secretary apparently scheduled me for a retainer fitting...
6.
Consequently, over the course of 3 hours the Dr. who, granted, was very nice, knowledgeable, and did not make me feel rushed, flitted from other patients, to me, to other patients to me (luckily I had an open schedule today)
7.
I'm getting braces...again...oh, and that is just prep for the jaw surgery I need...

I can't believe it! First of all I walked into that appointment thinking "Ladi-da, I'll just get Invisaline and that will fix everything, ho-hum" Apparently I was a little naive. It shouldn't surprise me that I have this structural defect - my mom had the exact same problem and surgery I'm needing and my original braces were in effort to avoid this step. I guess it was so long ago that I had braces or talked to anyone about this that I thought the problem was gone *magic*

Second, I feel like I'm reverting back to age 12. You would think that being older and more "mature" ;) would keep a person from feeling insecure about getting the dreaded braces, but I can't help myself - the feelings are all coming back to me.

So not only is this happening, but it's happening quick. I got a workup done then and there at the office today. Then I got spacers placed to get ready for the braces that I will be getting *drum-roll* next Wednesday! Ahhhhh! I thought for sure I was going to have a breakdown when I got in the car, but I didn't (still don't know how I avoided that).

Of course the biggest stress-er is the money issue ~ I don't need to go into it too much, but anyone who has had/paid for braces knows they are expensive and even with insurance the cost definitely won't go unnoticed. Luckily since my problem is a functional problem (the doctor says I'm probably only using maybe 1/2 my teeth right now) insurance SHOULD cover the surgery portion when the time comes. The definitive "will cover" won't be ultimately approved until I get closer to the actual surgical event.

So these have been the events of my day. I'm still stunned, questioning myself about the triviality of it all. Luckily have a wonderful husband who is supporting this decision ~ thanks Sweetie <3