#actorswithbraces

So a lot has happened that I haven't been able to share because of my schedule. Here's a list in order since August: 1) moved to Chapel Hill, started rehearsals for a musical the next day...which bled into rehearsals for three more plays. 2) found an ortho at the faculty practice of the school of dentistry 3) left that practice before treatment started. They hadn't seen braces like mine before and the assistant was really clumsy with my teeth. I acquired an exposed root and had to close many of my brackets myself with tweezers at home. Looking back, maybe I was too picky. 4) got a second opinion at a pediatric ortho, realized my mistake, and looked for another opinion. They were nice people, though. 5) found an ortho I really like. She is very nice, honest, gentle, knowledgeable, and extremely expensive. 6) today she told me what all the other orthos have said this whole time: I need jaw surgery, but this time I need it before she can do anything. It may or may not be covered under insurance. It's about $10,000. 7) When I made the appointment to talk with the surgeon, I found out that the consultation alone costs $350 and is due the same day. I only make $1,100 per month, and $715 goes to rent. I made the appointment, hung up, and cried. If I could go back, I would have never started this process. My teeth are worse than they were when I started. The before and after pictures could make Simin Cowell shed a tear. I've already paid over $3,000 out of pocket for nothing but more problems, and now I have to pay just to get my teeth back to the way they were before. It is extremely frustrating, and my only choice is to take out loans. Also, how am I as a full time student, actor and teaching assistant going to navigate my life with jaw surgery? I'll be out of commission for weeks! And who will take care of me at home post-op? I live alone and my only friends are actors as busy and stressed as I am. It seems rather hopeless. Now, I understand that this isn't the end of the world. People have surgery and recover all the time. I just don't want to stop what is in motion and go into more debt if this isn't absolutely necessary. If anyone has any advice, I welcome it. The end.

I'm always wearing rubber bands again, but this time I'm doubling up at night. I know I know...I've heard that it doesn't help to double up, but I'm so desperate! And I'm still putting bands on Steve in the crazy hope that he'll move anyway, despite the advice from a trained professional...?? I'm an idiot.  

I'll update you more about UNC as news comes, but I'm for sure going and I feel so blessed to be given this opportunity. 

It's true...my new charged iPod boom box refused to play during my final audition. I expected the worst, so I just shrugged and sang it a capella. The rules strictly prohibit singing without accompaniment, but in this instance I hardly think that they will hold that against me. Now I'm just waiting for my random audition with the Cleveland Playhouse MFA Acting Program. After that, interviews will be announced. I am pleased that the audience of professors and instructors did laugh at my comedic monologue, despite the warnings that they were a "tough crowd" from the others. I also saw a lot of head nodding during my Shakespeare, which was definitely encouraging. I probably should have been more focused if I noticed that much, but it's all over now. Now I'm catching up on schoolwork. Dang, a girl can really get behind when she's out of academia for even two days! I'll update you tonight!

So last week I was eating around a date that wasn't pitted...I knew I was taking a risk, but I'm dangerous like that. I heard a crack and freaked out, but everything seemed normal so I just went about my six show weekend... ...until tonight. I'm flossing and I think, "Huh...this tooth seems...closer...OMG." And lo and behold...I had popped the bracket off the tooth. This specific tooth was anchoring the "chain" pulling Steve into place too. So now Steve is also on the loose. I emailed my orthodontist, but I have an appointment on Thursday morning so it should all be ok. But still! My first broken bracket. *sob* I just wanna be pretty like everyone else, lol...is that too much to ask? Is that a crime?!? - Caroline

So I'll write a quick update along with some rehashed advice: #1 I've had to be hard on myself about skipping flossing. Sometimes I get home so late and I'm so tired...but flossing only takes me about two minutes now (as opposed to the original 20 that it took in the beginning...), so I literally have no excuse other than laziness. #2 I have been pretty good about wearing my night guard (and not taking it out in my sleep), but last night I fell asleep while Skyping with the boyfriend and forgot to wear it...needless to say, a little more of one back molar has been happily ground away by the upper bracket. :( #3 My surgery scar on my hand is peeling (gross AND totally cool) and I can see that my wrist will finally look normal like the other one! I do have to deep massage the scar with vitamin E oil, which leaves my whole hand really stiff in the morning. :( I don't know why yet. #4 last but not least, I go to my orthodontist in a couple weeks, and I can't wait to get my braces tightened (?!?!?) and see the before pictures. I forgot to take before pictures, so maybe they will give them to me and I can post them. Yay!

Honestly, I don't know for sure...wouldn't that be awesome??? But I DO know from the bit of research I did this morning that dental work (like, oh I dunno...BRACES, for example...) could be deducted with the proper forms. Read all about it here! If you're still not sure, talk to your tax guy and still save EVERY receipt! That's for sure what I'm gonna do.