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Author Topic: Jonh: fitness, love and braces (story)  (Read 4730 times)

Offline pi314phi18

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Chapter 14: The Friday of the First Review
« Reply #15 on: 10. August 2024, 16:50:03 PM »
Chapter 14: The Friday of the First Review

Friday began for Juan with a wake-up filled with anxiety. As soon as he opened his eyes, he immediately felt the persistent pain in his incisors. The small gap between them was visible, a constant reminder of the pressure exerted by the expanders. He got up carefully, avoiding sudden movements that could increase his discomfort. He walked to the bathroom, where the tooth pain mixed with general unease.

In front of the mirror, Juan applied a generous layer of petroleum jelly to his chapped lips. The sensation of the jelly on his dry lips offered temporary relief, although the pain in his teeth persisted. Brushing his teeth became a meticulous act to avoid additional discomfort, and Juan tried not to touch the painful parts of his mouth too much.

For breakfast, Juan opted for something soft. He prepared a bowl of yogurt with fruit puree and a bit of oatmeal, trying to stay calm despite his anxiety about the review scheduled for that afternoon. As he ate, the yogurt seemed to slide smoothly, but the constant feeling of saliva building up in his mouth remained uncomfortable.

By the end, Juan felt a little better but couldn’t shake the thoughts of the upcoming review. Each bite was a reminder of the challenges he faced with his new treatment.

When Juan arrived at the CrossFit box for the morning training, he noticed that Fernando and Laura were not present. Their absence made him feel even more alone and insecure. He began his warm-up, trying to stay focused despite the pain and discomfort in his mouth.

A fellow trainee, Javier, approached him with a mocking smile.

—Are you training with the full gear today, teacher? —Javier said with an incredulous expression.

Juan tried to concentrate on his routine, but Javier continued to make cruel remarks.

—Does it hurt to talk, or can you just see your molars? —Javier added, laughing.

Juan felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration. Each comment was a reminder of his uncomfortable situation. He tried not to let it affect him and continued with his exercises, but the pain in his mouth and Javier’s comments made him feel like he was losing the battle. Despite his efforts, the discomfort in his teeth and the buildup of saliva made every movement a challenge.

Friday's classes were a mix of normalcy and anxiety. Juan tried to focus on teaching, but the discomfort in his mouth and students' comments only intensified his distress. During one of the classes, a student, Carlos, approached him with a mix of curiosity and malice.

—Why do you talk like that, teacher? —Carlos asked, raising an eyebrow with a mocking smile.

Juan, with saliva building up in his mouth and struggling to articulate his words, responded:

—It’s part of my treatment. I hope everyone can show respect.

Despite his efforts to stay firm, Carlos’s comment made some other students laugh as well. The situation became even more uncomfortable when Juan, trying to reprimand the students, couldn’t avoid the saliva buildup, making his attempt to scold them seem even more ridiculous.

At another moment, during break, a colleague in the teachers' lounge asked him about his treatment. Juan tried to explain briefly, feeling uncomfortable talking about his situation. Although the conversation with Marta was kind and understanding, he couldn’t help but feel that most of his colleagues didn’t fully grasp how difficult it was to deal with the pain and discomfort all day.

During the break, Juan headed to the teachers' lounge hoping to find some comfort in a conversation. Marta was talking with some colleagues about her daughter and the challenges of her dental treatment.

—My daughter is also having trouble with her expander —Marta commented.

—Yes, I understand how complicated it can be. My treatment has been a challenge —Juan responded, feeling relieved to talk with someone who at least somewhat understood his situation.

Although the conversation was comforting, Juan couldn’t avoid feeling that most of his colleagues didn’t fully understand the difficulties he was facing. The lack of empathy and persistent pain continued to weigh on his emotional state.

Finally, the time for his appointment at the clinic arrived. Juan went to the reception, checked in, and sat in the waiting room, trying to calm his nerves. He looked around and noticed that other people were also waiting for their turn. The room was filled with murmurs and the sound of magazines being passed around.

While waiting, he received a message from Laura. Although Juan was reluctant to go out after the appointment, the message offered a small respite.

—Hi, Juan. Just wanted to wish you good luck for the review. I’m sure everything will go well. Stay strong! —the message read.

Laura’s support gave him a small dose of comfort before his appointment. He decided that, whatever happened, he could at least count on her support after the appointment.

When his turn came, Juan was called by the assistant and taken to the examination room. Dr. Martínez greeted him with a professional smile, although her expression was serious and attentive.

—Hello, Juan. How have you been with the treatment? —Dr. Martínez asked as Juan settled into the chair.

Juan explained that the treatment had been difficult and that he had experienced a lot of pain and discomfort, especially in recent days. Dr. Martínez examined the appliances and observed the gap that had formed between the incisors.

—I see that the upper expander is doing its job well. However, the lower one is not progressing as we hoped —Dr. Martínez commented as she carefully inspected the appliances. —I’m going to adjust the lower expander. You’ll need to turn it twice instead of once to ensure adequate progress. Also, I’ll activate the lip bumper to help adjust your bite.

Juan felt immediate and painful pressure as Dr. Martínez activated the lip bumper. The sensation of his lower lip being pushed forward was intense and painful. Juan tried to contain the pain, but a solitary tear escaped from his eye as Dr. Martínez worked carefully.

—The upper expander is working well, but we need to make some adjustments to the lower one to ensure everything is aligned correctly. Activating the lip bumper will help improve your bite and alleviate some of the pain —Dr. Martínez explained.

Finally, Dr. Martínez indicated that there would be a new review in two weeks. The news left Juan with a mix of relief and concern, as he would have to endure the adjustment process and pain during that time.

—I’ll see you in two weeks for a new review. Make sure to follow the instructions and maintain good oral hygiene —Dr. Martínez said as Juan got up from the chair.

After the appointment, Juan met Laura for dinner. The dinner was an opportunity to relax and share his experiences. Laura chose a quiet restaurant, and Juan felt grateful for the company of someone who understood what he was going through.

—Hi, Juan. How was the appointment? —Laura asked as they settled at the table.

—It was tough. The upper expander is progressing well, but the lower one isn’t doing as well as we hoped. The doctor had to make some adjustments and activate the lip bumper. It was quite painful —Juan responded, trying to stay calm.

Laura listened attentively and offered words of encouragement. The conversation shifted to lighter topics, and Juan was able to enjoy Laura’s company, although the persistent pain remained a problem. Laura encouraged him to be patient and to follow the doctor’s instructions to ensure the treatment’s progress.

Offline pi314phi18

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Chapter 15: Two Weeks of Adjustment
« Reply #16 on: 10. August 2024, 16:52:36 PM »
Chapter 15: Two Weeks of Adjustment

The two weeks following Juan's dental review became a series of ongoing challenges and adjustments. From the persistent pain in his teeth to the difficulty of adapting to the new routine with his braces, each day brought new trials. Juan woke up every morning with a feeling of pressure and pain in his incisors, exacerbated by the recent adjustment. Despite his efforts to stay positive, the pain and discomfort often exceeded his tolerance.

During the first week, Juan focused on establishing a routine to help manage his new treatment. He got up early, applied petroleum jelly to his chapped lips, and prepared a soft breakfast. He often opted for yogurt, fruit puree, and oatmeal, trying to avoid foods that could cause discomfort or complicate the cleaning of his braces. Each meal became a battle against saliva buildup, a constant problem that led him to swallow frequently and deal with an uncomfortable sensation in his mouth.

At the CrossFit box, things remained challenging. Although Fernando and Laura were back at training, Juan couldn’t help but feel that his performance was limited by his braces. The discomfort in his mouth and the need to adjust his breathing due to the braces affected his ability to focus and perform at his best.

Fernando and Laura, though understanding, couldn’t help but make some friendly comments that sometimes felt like criticism. During one particularly tough session, Fernando remarked:

—Wow, teacher! It seems like the braces are making your abs work harder than you.

Fernando's laughter and the chuckles from the other trainees made Juan feel even more uncomfortable. Despite the camaraderie, the situation was a constant reminder of his personal struggle with the braces.

Classes continued to be a constant challenge for Juan. Although his students were mostly understanding, some couldn’t resist making inappropriate comments about his appearance. The situation worsened when a group of students began to laugh at him during a lesson.

—Why do you talk like that, teacher? —asked a student with a mocking smile.

Juan tried to maintain calm and authority, but his difficulty speaking and the constant buildup of saliva made his response less effective than he would have liked. The situation became even more uncomfortable when his attempt to reprimand the students only resulted in more laughter and derisive comments.

Despite these challenges, Juan worked hard to maintain control and continue with his lessons, trying not to let the teasing affect his teaching.

During free time in the faculty room, Juan had some conversations with colleagues. Overall, the reception from his peers was mixed. Some colleagues were understanding and offered words of encouragement, while others seemed indifferent to his situation.

Marta, who had previously talked about her daughter’s expander, showed genuine support. During one conversation, she said to Juan:

—I know it’s tough and can be uncomfortable, but believe me, it will all pass. My daughter went through this and now she’s much better.

Juan felt relieved by Marta’s support, but most conversations with other colleagues remained brief and sometimes superficial. Time in the faculty room was often filled with trivial chatter that didn’t offer much comfort.

As the second week progressed, Juan began to notice some positive changes in his adjustment to the braces. Although pain and discomfort were still present, he started finding ways to better manage the situation. Laura’s advice on chewing and eating proved helpful; he discovered that chewing slowly and in small bites helped reduce pain and improve his ability to eat.

However, saliva buildup remained a constant problem. Whenever Juan tried to speak or focus on a task, saliva would accumulate and he had to swallow frequently. This uncomfortable feeling kept him constantly aware of his braces and prevented him from feeling completely at ease.

In his daily interactions with students, Juan tried to maintain a professional attitude despite the comments and difficulty speaking. Some students, though curious, showed a degree of understanding. However, others couldn’t resist making cruel comments. During one class, a student asked:

—Why don’t you just take that off? It must hurt a lot.

Juan, struggling to keep his composure, responded:

—I can’t take it off. It’s necessary for my treatment. I ask that you show respect and understanding.

Despite his efforts to maintain a positive environment, teasing and comments remained a constant challenge. Support from some students and colleagues was reassuring, but the daily struggle to adapt to his new situation remained exhausting.

Throughout the two weeks, Juan maintained regular contact with Laura, who continued to offer support and encouragement. Although Juan’s situation wasn’t improving rapidly, Laura’s presence in his life provided a sense of normalcy and support.

Laura and Juan continued to go out for dinner occasionally. During one of these dinners, Laura asked about how he was handling the situation. Juan, though grateful for the support, felt frustrated by the slow progress.

—It’s not easy, Laura. I feel like every day is a battle. Although the advice on chewing has helped, there are still days when I feel like I can’t fully adapt —Juan said, with a mix of relief and frustration.

Laura offered words of encouragement and practical advice for better managing the braces and the situation in general. While her words were comforting, Juan couldn’t avoid feeling that he was on a long and arduous road.

Interactions with his colleagues remained a mix of support and indifference. While some offered encouraging words, others seemed distracted or indifferent. During a conversation with Miguel, another colleague, Juan was approached about his situation.

—Hey, Juan, how’s it going with those braces? —Miguel asked with a genuinely concerned expression.

Juan, though grateful for the question, explained that he was still adjusting to the treatment and dealing with constant discomfort. The conversation with Miguel was one of the few times he felt understood and supported, providing him with a brief respite from the daily struggles.

As the weekend approached, Juan prepared for his usual CrossFit training. Although Fernando and Laura were present, Juan couldn’t avoid feeling uncomfortable with his braces and the difficulty of fully participating in the training. Fernando, noticing Juan’s effort, tried to offer words of encouragement, although sometimes his comments were light-hearted and not always well-received.

—Come on, teacher! Don’t let the braces hold you back. Give it your all! —Fernando said, trying to cheer Juan up.

Despite Fernando’s effort, Juan still felt limited by his braces. The meal after training, though with friends, also turned out to be a challenge. Pizza, one of his favorite dishes, proved difficult to manage with the braces.

As the two weeks came to an end, Juan reflected on his progress and the challenges he still faced. Although he had experienced some advances in adjusting to his braces, the situation remained difficult. Persistent pain, saliva buildup, and uncomfortable interactions continued to be constant issues.

Laura’s support and the understanding of some colleagues and friends were reassuring, but Juan knew there was still a long way to go. The upcoming dental review and the ongoing adjustments remained a source of concern and anxiety.

As the next dental review approached, Juan mentally prepared himself for the challenge it would represent. Although he had experienced some progress, the possibility of new adjustments and the prospect of more pain remained concerning. He focused on following Dr. Martínez’s instructions and maintaining good oral hygiene to ensure that progress continued.