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.