12/10/05: PeoplemoverMatt's Farewell Update

[PeoplemoverMatt]

My friends, before I go into the details of the update, many of you have wondered about the strange hints of a farewell trip to the park. Well, here's the thing: on Friday 12/16 I am going to be in Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara undergoing a procedure called orthognathic jaw surgery. You can read about the procedure here: http://www.scofsg.com/orthosx.htm. What they will be doing to me is removing bone from both sides of the lower jaw, removing the wisdom teeth, and repositioning the lower jaw so its properly aligned with the upper jaw. Also they will be poofing my cheeks to counter what would be a flatness look to the face. I will be having 6 or 7 titanium plates fused into my facial bone structure when it's all said & done, and that's pictured in the link above.

The surgery itself isn't why I must say goodbye though, it's the recovery period. My jaw won't have to be wired shut, but there will be strong elastics securing the jaw for 8 weeks full time, then nighttime only for another period of time. I will only be able to drink non-particle liquids for the first 2 weeks (through New Year's) and then liquids may have particles for 6 more weeks. Soft-chew diet may begin after 8 weeks, so I'll be able to eat food again around Valentine's Day. No contact sports for 16 weeks, and no snorkels/musical instruments/helmets for a full 12 months. Exercise may begin at 5 weeks and that's described as light jogging/long walks, so maybe I'll be able to visit the park again by then. Until then, I am forced to be absent, so you all will have to enjoy the debut of Monster's Inc. without me.

So that's basically all there is. I'm not sure how long I will be without internet access, so I'm not sure how long I'm going to be away from you all here. They say depression is common with this recovery period so I'm going to need any prayers and support you can offer. This place has been so wonderful to me, it's sad that I'm going to have to say goodbye for at least a brief period of time. Could be a week, could be longer, it really depends how I'm doing. They're going to strap the jaw shut but they're not strapping my hands down! I'm leaving on Thursday for Santa Barbara and the procedure is scheduled for early Friday morning. Love, prayers and support will be much appreciated, I believe the most appropriate place would be my shoutbox on my VF User Page.

Thank you for reading this far, now on to the update!!

As you may have heard from Brian (Protostars), the park was sold out on Saturday, but I made it in there and did my best to document what exactly a sold out day looks like. Here are this update's notables...

• Crowds
• Locked Gates!
• Mario Kart - the Arcade game
• Animation Building
• Tower of Terror
• More crowds
• Snow
• HMH Musicians & Changing Portraits
• 50 Years Exhibit model

Hope you all do enjoy it. Click this link: http://photos.yahoo.com/msm2828 ,click on DLR 12/10/05, then click on the first picture you see to enjoy them in full size.

Boy, first daddyB puts out his, here's mine, and DCA Fan will have his in a couple days! Can your life get any sweeter? Enjoy!

-- Peoplemover "And I'm not leaving until Thursday so you all are going to have to put up with me until then! " Matt

[Legend_S]

Well Matt, I'll have you in my prayers and hope all will go well with your surgery, take care buddy, merry christmas and a happy new year to ya.

[Ezra]

I just followed that link Yikes! I wish you all the best for your recovery. We'll miss you.

[Loneknight]

Good luck to you Matt! Prayers and best wishes to a full and speedy recovery.

[kennyrules]

Good luck! I'll be praying for you.

[disneyguy]

Good Luck PMM!

[Executioner]

Hey Matt, I wish the best for you. At least you are not going to be in the Simi hospital. My prayers go to you and a speedy recovery. I look forward to another meeting at the park when you get better. I can somewhat understand what you are going through, I might have to endure the same thing at some point in my life. Or a similar procedure. My jaw is crooked and because of it it cracks if I open it to much.

[Fantasmic_Freak]

Well Matt, I hope you will be well enough to get on the computer and type once in awhile, and i will keep you updated all the time when i get my pass back in december, yah i know i ruin my own surprises, but im gonna get another one for christmas., Soo, Kristen takes the pictures and uploads them via firewire, then i give the commentary, and Mat T will provide the soundtrack, and Brett can just stand aruond watching this impromptu broadcast, sound good, well good. Whos in?

[Chatterbug]

Oh Matt at the holiday season! Well BEST WISHES MATT FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY!!! I'll have you in my prayers.

[RU42]

Thanks for the pics. I was at the Parks Wed/Thur and things were not that insane; actually, they were quite mild.

Picture 48 (I think it was) of the Aladdin marqee is new. As of Thursday it only had 3 show times. I am not sure if the Wed-Sun part is new; I will have to look at my pics which are still in the camera.

RU

[ShrunkenNed]

Good luck PMM. You will be missed while you're out, but you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Also, nice pics. I want a MarioKart video game!!!

[disneylover]

You'll be in my thoughts PMM! Hope you have a speedy recovery! Thanks for the update! Have a great Christmas

[SplashMountain]

good luck PMM. You will be in my thoughts,and be missed.

[Mickey Man]

best of luck that everything goes good, I hope you get back to the park soon and don't be shy to post when your feelin better.

great update by the way.

[barfownz]

Great Update PMM! Kepp that locked gate ticket. It will be worth something later in life.