I signed up here when I first got braces, and started a counter [for both upper and lower]. Well I just remembered this site and decided to log in and look at how long I've had this metal mouth and ohmygosh has it been that long!?!?
Good news is: hopefully I only have the rest of this year at the most to go. My mouth is very different than when I started this journey and my TMJ problems have mostly disappeared.
Bad news: I'll have to wear a mouth splint at night for the rest of my life.

Next step: get these things off finally and get 2 molar implants.
You guys keep on keepin' on. I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel... maybe.