Final Post

One last posting to wrap up this blog. I am sleeping well now and have a pretty normal life. I rarely need a nap during the day - if I am sleeping during the day it is out of decadence - not a necessity!

My teeth work very well and I think look great. I will have to wear my retainers at night only. I asked Dr. Hatcher how long I would have to wear them, he said I only had to wear them as long as I wanted straight teeth. Oh well. Small price to pay for great-functioning, straight, healthy teeth.

The little bit of numbness that I have left isn't much to mention. I will have a little numbness on my lower lip that extends down to my chin. This hasn't changed much in the last year and a half so I imagine this will be permanent. My hard palate and upper incisors are still significantly numb. I know that I have scalded my hard palate on hot tea and food, but it is numb enough that it doesn't really bother me.

I do have one health concern that I need to have checked out. During a recent anesthesia workup for a minor surgical procedure I was told that I have a slight heart murmur. I wonder if this is a little collateral damage from having sleep apnea for 13+ years. I will have it checked out soon.

It took alot of adjustment to get used to the changed face that looks back at me everyday. I have come to terms with her and we are getting along just fine now. What do you think?