Chapter 29.

Jen got up from the table and headed into the kitchen.  First, she fixed herself a glass of salt water and rinsed her mouth as she had been instructed.  She was supposed to rinse three times a day; morning, mid day, and in the evening.  She then got a vanilla protein drink out of the fridge.  She didn't want to deal with the hassle of trying to eat anything.  While not in agony, her mouth did hurt.  And she didn't really want to have to go through the process of cleaning her braces and expander again.  Again she thought of all the adjustments that having braces was going to mean.  After finishing the drink, she returned to the couch.  She got comfortable and started reading out loud again.  She realized that while she still had a long way to go to sound "normal", she was speaking much clearer than she had been just the evening before.  It was a Thursday, and she was planning on going into work tomorrow.  She was dreading it.  She was afraid she would feel embarrassment, not just from having such visible braces, but also from her lisp.  After about 30 minutes, she took another break.  While wax did help, the inside of her mouth was in no way used to all the new sharp edges.  She thought of Mel again, and thought she seemed fine with her braces.  They really didn't seem to bother her.  She hoped she would get to the same point, and the sooner the better.  She then realized she had not emailed the information on the Crane device over to Diane.  She got up and went back to the kitchen table.  She opened her emails and started one addressed to Diane.  She started her email by thanking her for checking on her.  Then she explained she was including the information on the Crane device.  She copied the link to the manufacturer's website, as well as the link to the blogger that had experimented with one.  In her searching, she had also found a youtube video with a guy that was undergoing MSE that demonstrated how it worked.  She copied and pasted that link as well.  Finally, she decided she would take a picture of her own neckbrace and attach it as well.  She took out her phone, and as she tried to get a clear shot of her wearing it, she realized she might should put on her facemask.  After just a little struggling, she managed to get the rubberbands hooked in her mouth and then onto the mask.  She finished by snapping the strap around her head.  She did manage to take a decent picture of her neck brace.  You couldn't see her whole face, but you could see the chincup which would let Diane know she was wearing it and being a good, compliant patient.  She hit send.

Feeling a little stir crazy; Jen wasn't used to just relaxing and "doing nothing", she ventured out on her back deck with her book. It was a nice day, and the sunlight felt good. After about 30 minutes, she nodded off.

Jen woke about 2 hours later.  She realized she had gotten some sun. Then she remembered she was wearing the facemask.  Oh gosh she thought, I hope I don't have tan lines.  She ran inside and into the bathroom.  She removed her facemask, and with relief she saw she did not.  She did make a note though that she would have to be careful if she ventured outside with it on again.  She couldn't foresee herself doing so very often, but it was something to keep in mind.  She decided to leave the mask off until Mel got home, it really was bothering her chin.  She went to the kitchen and retrieved her phone.  She wanted to send Mel a text just to see how her day was going.  When she looked at the screen, she saw a message from a new number.

C:  Ms. Collins, this is Christy Thomas at Dr. Cooper's. Diane passed along the information on the Crane appliance.  I am very interested in it.  In fact, I have ordered one to try myself.  As well as being Dr. Cooper's hygienist and myofunctional therapist, I am also the office guinea pig.  Based on pictures of the device and your neckbrace, I do believe it might be possible.  But, Dr. Cooper would rather have me try it first before prescribing it to a patient.  Diane also mentioned you were starting a blog to chronicle your journey.  I would love to participate if you would have me. 

J:  First, thank you.  And second, please call me Jen.  I really appreciate you looking into this for me.  Would you be willing to get together sometime so I can pick your brain about this whole process, your experience, and any tips or tricks you could offer?

C:  Of course, I would be glad to.  Do you have any time in mind?

J:  I want to make it as convenient for you as possible.  I am free most any evening, and I have this whole upcoming weekend free as well.  This is quite an adjustment with everything going on in my mouth, and I don't see me going out for the next few days.

C.  I completely understand.  There is definitely a learning curve of sorts after getting braces.  And in our case, all the other goodies like expanders and protraction devices make it even steeper.  But it does get better.  What about Saturday afternoon?  I could meet you somewhere?

J:  If you would be comfortable with it, you could just come by my house.  And if it is ok, I will probably have Mel Saunders here too.  We are friends and she is going through the same process. 

Jen left off that Mel had become a little more than just a friend, and the two of them would have been together anyway.

C:  That would be great.  What about 2 pm?  Just send me your address and I will see you Saturday.

J:  Thank you so much.  I do look forward to it.

Jen finished by sending her the address.  She then sent a text to Mel.

J:  Just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you and hoping you have had a great day 

M:  Awww, you are too sweet.  My day has gone just fine.  In fact, I realize that by wearing my facemask all day here, it will free me up from wearing it this evening.  And I might can put this mouth to good use...

J:  You are bad, you are going to get me all excited.  I can't wait to see you this evening.  Kisses.

M:  Kisses back. 

Chapter 30.

Around 6 pm there was knocking at the front door.  As Jen went to the door she saw Mel’s car in the driveway.  She opened the door to find Mel with her arms full.  She had a duffle bag in one hand, and several plastic bags in the other.  Jen grabbed the duffle from Mel, and followed her into the dining room where Mel put the bags down on the table.  Mel then turned and gave Jen a hug, asking her “how was my favorite person’s day?”  Jen replied “it went better than I feared.  The pain wash manageable.  I haven’t tried to eat shince thish morning, but I think I may give it a shot thish evening”.  Mel looked at her and said “good, because I brought dinner.  First though, there is something I have wanted to do all day”.  She leaned in and gave Jen a very gentle, caring kiss.  She continued “do you want to go ahead and eat, I didn’t have much of a lunch.”  Jen said she would give it a shot.  Mel told her to just have a seat, she would handle it.  She slid Jen’s computer down to the end of the table, and told her she wanted to check out her new blog when they got done eating.  A few minutes later, Mel returned with plates and silverware; and then made a second trip coming back with two glasses of wine.

Mel pulled the food containers out of the bags and then ran through the options. “They probably did think my order a little unusual, but I have the following: mashed potatoes and gravy, chicken noodle soup, grilled zucchini, baked lemon butter salmon, and some soft rolls.  Anything in particular sound good?”  Jen looked at Mel and answered “thank you for thish.  I guessh I will try a little of all of it and she what worksh”.

As they ate they discussed their day.  Mel talked about the butterflies she felt wearing her facemask into the office.  And while she had been aware of it all day, it had really not been a problem.  She then said “but I fear I made a mistake wearing it.  At the end of the day, Dr. Wellington again told me how great it was that I was wearing my facemask at work.  And he told me if it is something I need, that he hoped I would continue to do so.  So, I guess I will wear it again tomorrow.  Ugh.”  She added she had taken her facemask off before she went to pick up the carryout order; she wasn’t that brave yet.  Jen then told Mel about her blog, falling asleep on the lounger, and the communications she had with both Diane and Christy.  She then told Mel “I should have ashed you first, but it just sort of happened.  I invited Chrishty over on Saturday.  Do you have any plansh for Saturday afternoon?”  Mel replied “the only plans I made for this weekend were taking care of you.  So sure, I will be here”.

The two continued eating.  Then Jen panicked.  After eating a spoonful of chicken noodle soup; it was made with spaghetti noodles instead of the more traditional short flat noodles; she felt one hanging in her throat.  “Aghh” Jen gagged as she got up.  “There is a noodle caught in my throat.”  Mel got up too and hurried with Jen into the bathroom.  Mel had Jen open her mouth.  She saw there was a noodle wrapped around her expander and hanging into her throat.  She took a toothbrush and dislodged it from the expander.  She then told Jen to hang right there and quickly returned with the glass of wine.  She handed it to Jen to try to wash the noodle down.  It worked.  Jen looked at Mel and told her “that wash horrible.  Thank you for saving me”.  As they returned to the table Mel apologized “I am sorry that happened.  I feel like it is my fault.”  Jen stopped her and looked her in the eyes saying “it ish not your fault at all.  We are both learning ash we go.  I guessh we need to knock shpagetti noodles off the menu unlessh we cut them up small enough” and laughed.  They finished their meal without further issue.  Once done, Mel started cleaning the table.  She told Jen to get her computer ready, she wanted to see her handiwork. 

When Mel had finished cleaning up and putting the leftovers in the refrigerator, she sat down beside Jen. Jen ran through what she had done.  She also pointed out the pictures she needed help with.  She wanted a closeup of her braces; the hooks coming off her molar bands, the herbst, and the MSE screwed into her palate.  She also wanted a pic of her wearing her mask, as well as closeups of how the rubberbands attached.  Mel took her phone and took the closeup photos of Jen’s mouth.  Jen then got her facemask and attached it to her face.  Mel took several pics of this as well.  Jen reviewed them and then had Mel email them to her.  Once she received them and saved them on her computer, she added them to the blog post.  She then asked Mel if she would post about her experience.  Mel looked at Jen and asked her “would it make you happy?”  Jen told her it would.  Mel answered “well then, of course I will”.  After about an hour, they had Mel’s story posted, along with similar photos as Jen’s.  Then Jen remembered about adding the padding to her facemask.  As Mel went through the process of affixing the padding to the inside of the chin cup and forehead pad, Jen took pictures; a before and after of sorts.  Once Mel was done, Jen put the mask back on.  She looked at Mel and told her “wow, this does feel better.  I guess I will wear it the rest of the evening and try to sleep with it”. Mel told her she was doing great, and kissed her on the forehead.  She then got her own mask out of her bag and looked at Jen telling her “we are in this together” and attached her own facemask.

Chapter 31.

Jen awoke the next morning and pulled her eye mask up and off her face.  She sensed Mel was not beside her.  As she could not turn her head, she reached over and felt with her arm to confirm it.  She rolled over, up and into a sitting position on the edge of the bed as she had become accustomed to and removed her face mask.  It was a huge relief, the pressure on her chin, even with the newly added padding, was intense.  She next removed her cpap mask, laying it on the nightstand beside her facemask.  She walked over to the dresser and took off her neck brace.  With all her night time devices off, she walked towards the kitchen.

She found Mel sitting at the kitchen table looking at her phone.  Mel had already made breakfast and had each of them a plate of food and a cup of coffee waiting. It was soft food, eggs again along with a couple of pancakes.  She also had placed a couple of ibuprofen on the napkin beside Jen's plate. As Jen walked over to the table, Mel looked up, smiling through her facemask, and told Jen "good morning babe".  Jen responded "you really didn't have to do all thish" gesturing towards the table.  Mel looked at her and replied "I know I didn't have to.  But I wanted to.  I want to make your day, and every day, as nice as I can.  Plus, you made it through your first night wearing your facemask.  That calls for a celebration."  She got up and went over and hugged Jen.

As the two ate, again Jen was able to manage even if it was very slowly and somewhat unpleasantly, they talked about their upcoming days.  Jen was very nervous about her first day back at work.  She thought that this was even scarier than the first day wearing her back brace to work.  At least with it, she was able to hide it under her clothes.  She was a mature, professional lady that did take some pride in her appearance.  And she now had massive visible metal braces and appliances, along with her new speech impediment.  And she couldn't just hide that under her clothes.  Mel assured her she would do great.  Mel also told her she wanted to take Jen out on a date at her favorite restaurant as soon as her mouth felt up to it.  Jen told her she would like that.

After breakfast they went into the bathroom and went through the ritual of cleaning their braces.  Again, Mel turned Jen's expander.  And again she immediately felt pressure in her sinuses.  After each finished in the bathroom, they got dressed.  Mel dressed in her customary scrubs.  She did her makeup and hair, and then put her facemask back on.  She looked over at Jen and said "I guess this is going to become a thing.  I still feel like a bit of a pariah wearing this at work though".  Jen looked at her and said "you are sho shtrong; and nothing you could wear could diminish your beauty" and reached over and kissed her on the cheek, managing to avoid the metal and plastic mask in the process.  Jen herself dressed a little more formally than was normal for a Friday.  She put on hose, a white blouse, and a black skirted business suit.  She slipped on some matching 2" black pumps, did her makeup, put her hair up, and finished with some gold jewelry.  She hoped that by dressing up, maybe it would distract others from her braces.  Mel told Jen she looked absolutely ravishing, good enough to eat.  She gave her a hug and went out the door wearing her facemask.  Jen was at the door watching her leave when halfway to her car Mel stopped and turned.  She told Jen "if you need anything, anything at all today, even if it is just a hug, let me know and I will be there".

As Jen made the drive in to work, she had butterflies in her stomach.  What would her coworkers think?  What would her boss Pete think?  She was the CFO of a company, and she had braces.  She made her mind up, that one way or the other, she would make it through the day.  As she entered the lobby, the front desk receptionist Melinda greeted her.  "Good morning Ms. Collins, you look really nice this morning".  Jen stopped and thanked her "Thank you Melinda, you look nish ash well."  She smiled at her with a closed mouth smile.  Melinda responded "You got braces! They look good."  Jen looked at her and smiled again, this time showing her new companions, and replied "thank you, they sure don't feel good."  Melinda looked at her and said sympathetically "I completely understand, I had braces all through high school.  If you need any tips, let me know".  Jen thanked her and headed back towards her office. 

There, she found Jasmine already at her desk.  As Jen approached, Jasmine was looking up at her expectantly.  Jen stopped at her desk as she said "Good morning Jashmine.  I guessh you can tell I did get my brayshes."  Jasmine looked up at her saying "you look so pretty.  I think they are so cool.  You have a wonderful smile already, but think about how gorgeous it is going to be.  Can I take a closer look at them?".  Despite it seeming a little weird, Jen figured she might as well get it over with.  She knew that Jasmine was wanting braces herself, so she figured this would eventually come up.  Might as well get it out of the way now.  She asked Jasmine into her office and had her sit in a chair in front of her desk.  Still standing, Jen leaned towards her and gave her a big smile.  After giving her a good look at them with her mouth closed, Jen opened her mouth showing the expander screwed into the roof of her mouth.  Jasmine seemed mesmerized.    After a few moments she said "wow, they look pretty complicated.  Is that an expander in your mouth?  And is it actually screwed into your mouth? What are those rods on the sides?  And what about those hooks?". 

Jen went and sat down behind her desk and started "yesh, that ish an expander.  And yesh, it is shcrewed into my mouth.  And yesh it hurtsh, and yesh it gives me thish lispth.  But it ish shopposed to get better.  The rods are my herbst appliance.  That little wire that goes along the inshide of my lower teeth ish part of it too.  It ish to hold my lower jaw forward, while they pull my face forward.  And that ish what the hooksh are for, they are my crowning achievement.  They connect to my reversh pull headgear that I have to wear at night.  It is horrible and sho embarrassing.  But I need to pull my whole maxilla forward, and this is the only way other than double jaw shurgery."  Jasmine looked at her and said "that is so cool.  You still look so pretty.  And I am so jealous.  I want braces so bad; I just wish they weren't so expensive.  I need them so bad" and smiled at Jen.  Jen had never been big on noticing peoples teeth, but she realized she probably was going to be talking to people about braces and teeth alot over the coming years.  She noticed that Jasmine had pretty severe crowding, an apparent overbite, and had an openbite.  When she talked, you could actually see her tongue pop out through the gap on occasion, even when her mouth was closed.  Jasmine looked at her and said "do you have a picture of the headgear?  I know it is weird, but I am just so interested in this".   Jen looked at her and said "I have even better" and sent Jasmine a text with the address of her brand new blog. "You can shee all about me and my new mouth acceshories on thish blog I started.  There is sho little info on what I am going through, I deshided to start a blog to chronicle it.  I have a friend going through the shame thing, and you can shee her shtory too."  Jasmine opened the link and seemed transfixed.  She read for several minutes, clicking on some of the pictures to enlarge them.  After she had skimmed through it all she looked up at Jen and said "wow, that is a lot you are going through.  But it is going to be so so worth it." 

Chapter 32.

Jen spent the next few hours working on financial reports.  She hoped she could just stay locked away in her office most of the day.  She knew she was eventually going to have to unveil her braces in front of others in the office, but she hoped today wouldn’t be that day.  She was still very self conscious of her speech, as well as some of the strange movements and tics her mouth made as it became accustomed to all the new metal assaulting it.  She did expect things to get a little better, and she wanted to wait until then before she had to speak too much with others.

Around 10 am her office line rang.  She picked it up and answered “Hello, Jennifer Collinsh”.  As she heard herself, she cringed.  She really hoped she would eventually be able to at least say her own name clearly.  The person on the other end of the line was Melinda from the front desk.  She told Ms. Collins that there was a delivery for her, and asked her if she could come pick it up.  Jennifer asked her what it was, but Melinda told her that the outside of the note said it was a surprise.  Perplexed, Jennifer got up and made her way to the front desk.  There, on the front desk, was a very pretty floral arrangement.  Melinda apologized for not telling her what it was, and pointed to the envelope on the outside.  It did say “to be announced as a surprise”.  Jen was a little shocked, she couldn’t even remember the last time someone had given her flowers.  And who were they from?  She thanked Melinda and picked up the bouquet.  She took them back to her desk, shrugging when Jasmine asked her who they were from.  Once at her desk, she set them down and opened the envelope.  The note was short, but it melted her heart.  “I hope these flowers brighten your day as much as you brighten mine.  Love, Mel”.

Chapter 33.

Around 11:30, Jennifer got up from her desk and told Jasmine she was going out for lunch.  She told her it might be a little longer lunch than normal, but she would be back if anyone needed her.  While she had continued to try to work since she had retrieved the flowers, she was very distracted.  She couldn't help but look at them and think of Mel.  She desperately wanted to see her and let her know how much they meant.  As she sat there looking at the flowers she had an idea.

After she left work, she stopped by a deli around the corner and got some sandwiches.  She didn't really know if she would be able to eat one, but she didn't really care.  Food was not really what she was focused on during this lunch break.  After getting two sack lunches, she headed to Dr. Wellington's office. Once she was in the parking lot, it was nearly noon.  She sent Mel a text.

J: What are you planning on doing for lunch?

It was only a minute or so before she got a response.

M:  I don't know, I haven't really thought about it too much.  I guess I will go around the corner and grab a sandwich or something.

J:  Would you like to join me for a little picnic?  I am in the parking lot and picked up a couple of sandwiches on the way over.

M:  Of course, I will be out in a few minutes.

J:  I will meet you in the lobby 

As Jen sat in one of the chairs in the waiting area she fidgeted.  She didn't even realize she was doing it, but she was full of nervous energy.  After just a few minutes the door beside the reception desk opened and out stepped Mel.  She was wearing pink scrubs and her blue reverse pull headgear.  Her hair was pulled up in a messy bun, and she had on a bare minimum of makeup.  And Jen thought she was the most gorgeous thing she had ever seen.  Jen hopped up out of her seat and rushed over to Mel.  She gave her a hug, she couldn't help it, and whispered in her ear "I got the flowersh; they may be the shweetest thing that has ever happened to me".  She quickly released Mel; she didn't want to embarrass her at work, and asked her "can we go to the park a few blocks away?  It is a gorgeous day, and I brought us a little lunch".  Of course Mel agreed.  She then said "but first, let me take this stupid mask off" and removed her facemask and elastics, stowing them in her purse.

As they made their way across the parking lot; Jen had to retrieve the food from her car; she reached down to hold Mel's hand.  Mel accepted it.  Jen felt funny; like she was back in high school on a first date.  Once at her car, she turned towards Mel.  She said "again, thank you sho much for the flowersh.  I can't even deshcribe how shpecial they make me feel".  She then stepped forward and put her arm around Mel's waist, feeling the unyielding plastic of her scoliosis brace, and kissed her passionately.  It was the first time either of them had ever shown any real affection in public, and it was in front of Mel's place of work of all places.  Jen quickly stopped, and apologized "I'm shorry, I don't want to embarrash you at work".  Mel looked into her eyes and told her "you aren't embarrassing me at all", and put her lips back to Jen's.

After walking the few blocks to the park hand in hand, they found a nice shaded and secluded picnic table.  Jen pulled everything out of the bags and arranged it on the table.  She had gotten Mel a turkey and swiss and gotten herself a tuna salad sandwich, not because she loved tuna salad but she thought it might be easier to eat with her new mouth accessories.  Mel thanked her for lunch, and bit into her sandwich.  Jen stared at her's a moment, then tried to do the same.  She realized right then that eating a sandwich was just not going to work.  She said "well, so much for that.  Guess I will be drinking my lunch".  She put the sandwich down and Mel grabbed her hand.  Mel said "oh you poor baby.  I shouldn't have locked my purse in your car, I have a knife in there.  You could cut it up and try it.  Do you want me to run and get it?".  Jen looked at her and told her "no, I didn't come here for the food, I came here to be with you."

Hey everybody, I am taking a little break from this.  I posted a little explanation over in my other thread.  But I want to add that I am thankful for this outlet that allowed me to share some of my thoughts and ideas.  I think it may have contributed a little bit towards me having the courage to slay a couple of the monsters in my closet that had been scaring me and keeping me from getting out of bed.  Thank you all for reading.

Awesome story! I'm a sucker for orthodontic and orthopedic combos. Thank you so much for the hard work!