Gretchen’s Story

Site created on April 9, 2023

Welcome to my CaringBridge blog!! I am using it to keep family, friends, and colleagues updated in one place as I prepare for and move through my big deal jaw surgery on May 24, 2023.

I also intend it to be a resource and a companion for anyone in the future who has to go through this kind of surgery.

My dad will update the site when I cannot, and my hope is to use this as a space to keep everyone informed about how I'm doing, request prayers as I undergo the surgery itself, and to organize relief and support during my recovery period.

Big hugs and a HUGE thank you for being part of my support system and loving community. 

Newest Update

Journal entry by Gretchen Wegner

Hi CaringBridge family,

First and most urgently, your prayers are now needed for my father, who suffered a fall and is now experiencing further complications that are quite scary. If you would like to follow his journey, here is the caringbridge page you can join: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/timothywegner

But while I'm here, I'll let you know this update from MY surgery which was almost a full year ago!!

I had my year check-up two months early because my surgeon (who lives in St. Louis) was actually in the Bay Area and could see me here. He was THRILLED with my progress. From his perspective the surgery was a raging success. I can open my mouth further than many of his patients, which he was so giddy about that he took a photo with a ruler as proof. 

I was shocked to see the xrays and how much metal is truly in my skull. It's a LOT y'all!!! I'm finally a "metal head" now.

I continue to have a lot of tight sensation in my mouth/jaw... and soooooo much mucous behind my nose. Chewing still feels strange to me, as my mouth can only chomp up and down, and my lower jaw doesn't jut forward any more. Apparently all of that is normal, and it may take years for things to calm down and shift. My surgeon does think I WILL be able to get some rotation in my chewing eventually, but again -- it could take years! So I'm patient and settling into my new normal. 

However, right now I'm less concerned about my healing and MOST concerned about my dad!! So do join his caring bridge if you'd like to receive updates and send prayers. https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/timothywegner
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