Little Silver Tube

I thought I should introduce myself.  My name is Alii, and I have a little girl called Penelope (she's the cutest). I am 30 years old, I have a tracheostomy (the little silver thing in my neck that helps me breathe) due to having a condition called Pierre Robin Syndrome. Throughout my life, I have had many different medical complications, 66 operations and a few near death experiences.  I thought creating a blog would be a good way, to share my experiences and also understand myself a lot more...  x

In 2001 I met Professor Haers. He is a Maxillo Facial Professor. He operated on my left jaw joint (TMJ) at the time as it had some problems within the joint and I couldn't open my mouth properly. He has done quite a few of my surgeries but my Jaw Distraction is the biggest. Fast forward 6 years, and he was the man that changed my life. I was extremely self conscious of my side profile and the way I looked with my lower jaw being so far back - I could fit my index finger in-between my lower teeth and upper teeth when they were clenched together. I vividly remember a day before school, looking at the back of my hair and catching a glimpse at my side profile and crying. I genuinely hated it.    He came to me and said there was an operation that he could do, that would move my lower jaw forward and also my upper jaw too, to improve my side profile but also the hopes of strengthening my airway to potentially remove my trachy.  This was a very daunting time. I remember my m...