Survivor!

I got out of the dentist chair with a sigh of relief. I have spent the last 3 1/2 weeks getting my front 4 teeth capped with some major problems and pain. This hopefully is history.

The new smile is very good and instant orthodontics. The new caps feel smooth to the touch and no radiating pain like the temporaries. I think we have determined that I am allergic to the plastics and the adhevies they use with the temporaries.

just one comment last comment on having this kind of major dental work. Don't! One thing to do is ask your dentist about allergic reactions to temporaries or the adhevies. I have had crowns done before and when you do 'one' tooth, you don't have this reaction. I can only speak for myself but surely recommend doing one tooth at a time if at all possible.

I don't blame the dentist as I pulled a filling out and crack a front tooth all about the same time. I am in sales and meet the public and it is imperative that that person have a nice smile. You do not want to buy from someone with a hole in their smile. I guess my contribution to the total $2,820.00 is worth it. Luckily I have a dental plan and my co pay is about 1/2 of what the insurance pays, not the retail walk in off the street price for this extensive work.

I got an estimate on my last statement from the insurance company and it looks like I owe him another $551.00 to the $300.00 I paid down. Is this not about 1/3 of the asking price? Bottom line is, now I am over the finish line on this, I am glad I did it. If, If, you have to do this, don't walk out without a 15 count prescription for 750/75 Loritab...LOL. Jeffrey

Major Dental Pain

Never, never decide to have 4 teeth capped at the same time. I really blame myself for this case of poor judgment while sitting in the dentist chair. I had some bonding done to my front 4 teeth some years ago and this has now worn down to where I do need some major repair.

I had avoided this decision for some years so now at 68, I decide if I want this done ever, I had better go ahead and do it. It was not painful being done, really surprising me. But the soreness and pressure of the pain now days later is still manageable only with taking 750mg of Loritab every 6 to 8 hours.

I don't know about you, but Loritab makes me loopy and somewhat dizzy or unsteady on my feet, so driving is out. I have one day a week I must drive, so Wednesday I went without the Loritab at all and was almost crying when I got home about 5:00pm. I called my dentist at home and all I got was sympthy.

He said these are like braces to an adult and getting use to the new 'appliance' (he called it) in my mouth is just going to take time. Listen guys, I have a very high threshold of pain and a big boy, but this discomfort is a constant 24/7. I can sleep but only with taking Loritab 30 minutes before bedtime.

I have about another week before the permanent teeth or crowns are ready then it is this all over again. I will say the smile looks good, the front teeth are whiter and somewhat straighter than my old ones. It took a little get used to when I looked in the mirror.

If this does not make sense and/or I have misspelled words, I took a pain pill 30 minutes ago just to rest this am. Wish me luck,,,,,Jeff

Midgie at Ashton Gables Mon. Mar. 6, 2006

March 6, 2006, Monday

Dear friends and family,

Midgie was none the worse for wear by our (my) unfortunate neglect this last week. The flu has reared it ugly head here in Birmingham and is taking no prisoners. The Jeff and Jack and Brock Nutter families all got this last week and were all out for the count. I went back to grocery store yesterday for more 'jewish pencillin' (Campbells Chicken Noodle or Chicken and Rice Soup).

I talked to Ashton Gables and told Keysa Williams about the flu and we were staying away to keep from giving this to her. Keysa said mom did fine and when I got there Monday afternoon, we just picked up where we left off almost a week ago.

When I got there mom was in her apartment and was wearing the dark green two piece suit Karen and I bought her and she really looked good. Mom was sitting on the seatee in her room looking at the picture album and sorting some socks. She did say something that caught my attention. I had bought some refills for her Huggies hand (wipes) in her bathroom. When I pointed out to her that it now had refulls in it, she said "you can show me that when I have more time, OK?" Huh? I chuckled! Right then she was not having anything to do with baby wipes.

I put some Ensure back at the nurses station and gave mom a Boost from her frig to enjoy while I was gone. I saw Leigh, the night RN, and she too said mom was doing well. Mom is much stronger and able to walk longer distances without any apparent fatigue.

When I got back, mom had finished the Boost and ask for another. I told her she could have one with her dinner as it was 3:45pm and I was afraid she would not eat if she had a second. I got her a clean Zeigler apron and put her purse in her walker and away we went to the living room. Some of the residence were playing bingo in the dining room and only Mitchell was snoozing in the living room. Mom and I got two rockers facing the fireplace and I got the Birmingham News to share.

We spent some really good time together and I don't know who needed the other worse, her or me? When you have been seeing your mom almost every day for the last 5 years and it has now been almost a week, I think it was ME. I don't know what we would have done had she been at home and both Jack and I out with flu?

Mom and I sat and rocked and talked and she sorted the paper while I started the crossword. My cell phone rang and it was Jack. I gave mom the phone and she and Jack talked while he was driving from school. It was only then that I found out both of our families had been in bed with the flu at the same time. I went to the doctor Monday and he said I was fine. Jack was still running low grade fever and he was reluctant to risk giving this bug to our mom. A good call. So mom had one son next to her and talking on the phone with the other, so she was doing OK.

Shortly after 5:00pm, they came for mom but I told them I would bring her. I let her get out of the chair on her own, and she did, strengthening her upper body muscles. I got her seated and went back to her appartment and got her another Boost and a cup of peach slices. They had a meat pie, salad, millk and I added Boost and fruit, so she should do OK!!

All in all, she seems happy and content and I can tell her goodbye now without it upsetting her. I told her I would be back tomorrow and I left. She looks good and seems to have gained back some of the weight she lost over a month ago. Keep mom in your prayers and I will write another episple later in the week....Good night and Good Luck,

Son Jeff