Rachel Nabors ([info]crowhen) wrote,
@ 2008-03-05 14:07:00
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Entry tags:teeth

Teeth are moving on up!
Just a smidgeon of an update: We've collected $4,653.95 USD so far. Just an ickle bit more to $5k, enough to pay for the braces or half of the surgery, take your pick. Wow. Even if that is all we collect, it'd still be a huge lump off my back. Depending on the grand total costs, that's anywhere from a third to a fifth of the procedure. That's damned impressive, even if it still leaves a lot of ground to cover.

Thanks to everyone who has donated and to all the good people who are providing incentives to donate: Therese, Lea, Dava, and Mike

It means the world to me, guys.


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[info]tscheese
2008-03-05 07:16 pm UTC (link)
Yay! We're almost there! Well, almost to the braces anyway. I know it's a long way to go, but I'm just getting so many warm fuzzies over the massive response.

A few people took me up on my offer! Also I should draw you something to sum up how much of a creepy fangirl I am. O.o

Edited at 2008-03-05 07:17 pm UTC

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[info]crowhen
2008-03-05 07:19 pm UTC (link)
Oooh, I love creepy fangirls! And thanks again for doing this. It's mighty fine of you.

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[info]smurasaki
2008-03-05 07:35 pm UTC (link)
That's great! And it's only been, what? A week or two? Who knows how much everyone will manage to scrape up collectively after a month or two.

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[info]mshepley
2008-03-06 04:43 am UTC (link)
Well, problem with that logic is that this first avalanche of awesome people are the main ones who pretty much jumped at the chance to help. The surge won't keep up, and is probably already slowing. So really, it's a VERY good thing the donations are so close to Stage 1, and there's some time yet before the rest will be needed.

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[info]crowhen
2008-03-06 06:24 am UTC (link)
The surge IS slowing. And my bar updates will slow down, too. But because I will need a year of braces before surgery, there's a very good chance that between now and then that I might make it to a higher number. At least I hope so!

It's five grand I didn't have at the very least. And a year is a lot of time to spend cobbling together the rest of what is needed. I hope I can make it happen!

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[info]mshepley
2008-03-06 07:37 am UTC (link)
That's to be expected (Finance major! Woo!). But this is, like, a fifth of the maximum projected cost, so it's all fantastic.

Hey, once I graduate, I might be able to ethically offer some financial advice. Here's hoping.

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[info]crowhen
2008-03-06 07:57 am UTC (link)
What, you can't offer me any now? *big puppy eyes*

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[info]mshepley
2008-03-06 08:05 am UTC (link)
Right now? Make a budget if you haven't already. Forgo as many luxuries as possible without losing your mind completely. Look into a Certificate of Deposit once you set another grand aside. Interest may not make much, but every little bit helps.

Common sense stuff, really. I'm not about to suggest investing into high yield bonds or anything, due to the limited income of the comic artist. Just skip the Starbucks and make your own coffee (you'd be amazed how many folks would refuse to do that).

But you knew that already. ^^

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[info]ldragoon
2008-03-05 09:18 pm UTC (link)
Yay! I'm so glad it's going well. I know what a load off your mind this is. :)

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[info]pinksugargirl
2008-03-06 03:35 am UTC (link)
wow, that's great

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[info]deutschtard
2008-03-06 07:31 am UTC (link)
Just a random person here. I'm a starving college student, otherwise i'd donate, but I just wanted to let you know I went through this jaw surgery too, but mine was genetic. My aunt had the same surgery. My jawbone was too long and I had to get a piece cut out of each side. the surgery itself wasn't bad, but the recovery wasn't that great. After you have it, be careful when your jaw isn't completely rubberbanded shut, the set of rubberbands after that. Be careful with talking, your jaw could pop and oh GOD the pain that shoots through your entire mouth.

I really hope you get enough money, I know how bad it sucks having to find all the money on your own.
Oh, and you don't look like quasimodo. you look like a chipmunk storing nuts for the winter xD;

good luck! and learn to like slimfast/weightloss shakes. you'll get to drink a LOT of them the first oh...month, month and a half, after your surgery. If you care to see a before/after of my own, lemme know, i'll be happy to show you my progress. i believe a total of half an inch of bone was removed from my right and left sides of my jawbone? wheee...

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[info]crowhen
2008-03-06 07:47 am UTC (link)
Wow, thanks for the perspective! If you want to help but not spend money, you could help spread the word. That's always appreciated :)

I'd like to see those pictures. I have a feeling I'll get used to shakes and things from the braces. I eat A LOT very frequently, so I'll need liquid munchies, I think.

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[info]deutschtard
2008-03-06 07:49 am UTC (link)
word spreading I can do.

as for the pics. i'll have to look for my before, but you can find my myspace on my profile to see my afters :D. i can't remember where my befores are other than like kiddie pics xD;;

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[info]deutschtard
2008-03-06 07:55 am UTC (link)
this might be one

I don't know the pic in the top right corner.

oh yeah, and before my surgery, my hard pallate had to be widened. I had to wear this:
ouch

i think that's all i've got already uploaded. i'll look for a better sideview when i'm not about to pass out in front of my computer XD...

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me too
(Anonymous)
2008-03-06 06:47 pm UTC (link)
I too had to go through jaw surgery. Had a bad underbite and was going through the same thing as you lady. Deutschtard is right you look more like a squirrel with a mouth full of nuts then quasimodo. (or as an ass I knew called me a blowfish). Make sure when you do have this surgery done someones with you because the first week I fainted I was so weak from all the shit they put into me drug wise I could hardly stand for long. You end up putting crazy things like pizza in a blender you get so tired of only drinking shakes and slushies and realizing other then grossing people out its really not that bad lol. I was wired shut for 6 weeks, and couldn't talk at all during that time because they put a piece of plastic inbetween my teeth so I couldn't even move my mouth at all. Carry a big notebook, you'll need it. Also you bleed a ton in the first week, its nasty but it doesnt last longer then a week if I recall. (i had my surgery done 9 years ago) Sadly to fully heal and have all your facial swelling go down completely takes about a year, its a slow recovery but most of it happens the first couple months. I wish I could donate to you but I'm broke too but I shall tell others about your site. I just wanted to let you know others have gone through this too ((hugs)) :) Goodluck getting all the money you need! Kira

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[info]lbeth
2008-03-06 09:10 am UTC (link)
I wish I could afford to donate, as I sympathize completely, but I just lost my dental insurance in time for two of my wisdom teeth to break. (On the plus side, one had to be removed and suddenly the constant TMJ pain from that side of my face and neck are totally GONE so I just have to save up to have the rest removed and maybe I'll be pain-free for the first time in 10 years!)

I'm bookmarking your donation page in case I come into a windfall big enough to spread around. :)

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[info]crowhen
2008-03-06 04:28 pm UTC (link)
Even if you can't donate, spreading the word helps a whole lot :)

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[info]ryahhime
2008-03-06 12:04 pm UTC (link)
That sucks so much! And I thought having to wear a retainer for ten years was bad- I never needed surgery at least. :( I really hope you get better. I usually don't donate to these kinda things, but since there were pictures, it's through Paypal, and I love your work, I used some of my birthday money. ;) I hope you keep updating us on how everything goes- we're cheering for you!

Also, I just moved to Germany and my credit cards are like "WHAT IS THIS FOREIGN PLACE" but I think the Paypal went through ok, though let me know if there are any problems.

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[info]crowhen
2008-03-06 04:26 pm UTC (link)
Oh wow, Germany? How do you like it there? I've always wanted to go to Germany.

Thank you for sharing your birthday money. It means a lot to me. I will keep everyone updated with pictures and progress reports once it starts.

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[info]rono64
2008-03-06 12:51 pm UTC (link)
Damn, I forgot about the slimfast shakes...I haven't drank one since my extreme dental work.
It's bound to slow a bit, but that's when we have to ramp up the pushing, try more banners etc.
I have added them to all my web strips and I am trying to figure out a way to get the info out beyond our community of comic creators/readers.

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[info]dylanthomas513
2008-03-06 02:52 pm UTC (link)
I saw your banner on Penny and Aggie, and took the time to read through your story. Ouch. I can understand your desperation, and so I've donated as well.

I hope you reach your goal in time. Good luck!

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(Anonymous)
2008-03-06 03:43 pm UTC (link)
I also got your story from Pennie And Aggie and decided to donate. I feel very sorry for you and chances are big that I will donate again. It's just a reminder how screwed up (sorry if I offend anyone, I don't live in USA myself)the health care i USA is. I hope the next president (whoever he/she may be) will fix this.
These kind of stories makes me realize how lucky I am living in Norway, and I really think you should move here instead :P I swear, you can bonk on my couch :D
I wish you all of good luck and hope everything works out all right.

-Linn Beathe Esborg

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Glad I'm not an American...
(Anonymous)
2008-03-06 06:34 pm UTC (link)
$ 25,000? Gee, that's a lot of money. I'm sending you some, I'm going to get my teeth surgically corrected too, but I don't have to pay for the surgery itself. Just the orthodontist. (Braces, getting a couple of teeth pulled. And my insurance covers like, 85% of the cost.)
I'm 21, and my cross bite is due to excessive use of a pacifier, my parents couldn't wrestle it from me. So, my jaw grew to "fit" the constant sucking; my upper jaw is long and thin, giving me a rather impressive overbite. (About same shape as yours, actually.)
My jaw also pops a lot, and sometimes I have to jiggle it back into a comfortable position after having opened it too wide too fast.

People also ask me why I'm willing to go through with it, and for me it's a matter of simply being tired of it. Tired of having a jaw that threatens to unhinge someday and tired of looking like some inbred redneck.
(I look a lot stupider than I really am. And I really don't like to see my own profile.)

I have done a lot of bad things to my teeth through the years (did not brush my teeth as a child, so I have a lot more fillings than you will ever get), and I think I "owe" them this. Also, it'll knock my self-esteem up a great deal. (Am I repeating myself?)

Anyways, here's some bucks from me and best wishes to you from an overbite-girl in Denmark.

P.S.: If you ever have any children, make them drop the pacifier before it's too late. It's for their own good.

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Re: Glad I'm not an American...
[info]crowhen
2008-03-07 04:35 am UTC (link)
Thank you very much! As for pacifiers, oy, I think my narrow upper jaw came from years of mouth breathing because of chronic mucus in my nasal passages.

Or it only seems narrow because my lower jaw is a wreck.

I have to click mine into place a lot. It's so creepy. *click*

Ah, I do prattle on. Congrats on taking care of your teeth, and thank you for your generosity! I like Denmark. And Iceland.

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Banner
(Anonymous)
2008-03-06 07:04 pm UTC (link)
I put the banner in my dA journal, you can find it here : http://fleur-de-soleil.deviantart.com

Good luck!

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