Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Dreaded Dentist

Well  I finally decided I better update the dental issue.. MY pocketbook is going to be in serious recovery mode.. It appears my tooth is cracked completely down the center.. UGH.. And as if that weren't enough the back moves independently from the front.. So it's loose..
The dentist gave me these options:
1. If he can remove the back without hitting the nerve or root, he can then do a root canal and cap the tooth.
2. If the tooth brings the root with it, I can have the teeth on either side prepped for a bridge.. Ruin 2 more teeth?
3. As in no. 2 I can opt for an implant.
Me, an implant?? never thought it would be a tooth???

Well the worst case scenario came topass. The dentist got the back piece off, and holding on for dear life was the root. The tooth had to be completely removed. If only the 2nd piece would have come out as easily as the first.
It took another hour to get the other half of my tooth out! it also took 8-10 stitches to close the gap.
Have you ever tried to tell a dentist that the stitching thread was tickling your nose it was so long-AND try not to move? I mean this man has a needle going for my gum..

I believe we are settling on the implant as he hates to ruin 2 other perfectly healthy teeth.
It will take about 8-10 months to complete, all of which I will be missing a much needed tooth.

At least maybe this way I can save a little of the $2900 I'll need for this little work of art..

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

All-nighter

     Well I finally decided to get up after a long-long-sleepless night. My dilemma is due to a wonderful antibiotic called Levacquin. Levacquin is one of those "upper end" antibiotics, you know the kind. Designed to knock anything, and I mean anything out of you. I took only one, and trust me that is all anyone needs.
I was prepping for that dreaded dental work I have to endure later this morning..
      I realized yesterday evening the pain in my back was also one of those lovely side effects, which would have provided a great excuse from housework. Sweeping the floors was utterly a chore this time. Upon my realizing this, I began hoping and praying the excruciating headache would not appear. Wrong. It did appear, just as I was falling asleep, and has lasted me through the night. You know the type. If only I could get my head in one comfortable position long enough to fall asleep, kind of headache. Well tonight there was no comfortable position, because along with the headache, a distant cousin the stiff neck also came along for the journey. I remember when I had to take Levacquin for almost a  year, wondering when all the side effects would just go away...Far..Far...away. At one point I remember thinking (so sleep deprived), "Am I really awake, or dreaming I'm awake?" Either way I was so tired it really did'nt matter.
      So, after wondering; Could my blood sugar be making my insides feel all goofy?, or Can it all be this darling little pill? I decided enough was enough, a body can only be uncomfortable for so long. I got up. So here I sit, straight as can be, not moving my head. It hurts less when upright, so the rest of the night it will be so.
       Thankfully blood sugar is fine, so it must be the Levacquin. Darn. I am typing this as my coffee pot brews that wonderful life saving blood I so need today. Hopefully, even half-caff along with a Tylenol (yes I checked my temperature first) will alleviate this feeling that my head has been pile driven onto the cement a few too many times. On a more positive note: Maybe I can fall asleep in the dentists chair and not remember a thing... Here's hoping..

Monday, April 19, 2010

I was hacked!

It appears someone is having fun attemtping to hack into many of my accounts.
So far I've had to change innumerable passwords. Being on Prednisone and so many things going on at once I have trouble remembering them in the first place.

I received a mesage from Facebook that someone from Canada was trying to log into my account with a smart phone- Not so smart.
Now issues with Google and my blogs... Not to mention a few other places.

I guess some just have nothing better to do or nothing interesting in their lives..
well, hopefully all will calm down now.

I have been lax in posting also due to attempting to promote my business and other blog. But mainly due to severe-(and I mean severe) allergies as well as cracking a tooth which now need major repair...
Lovely---I hate going to the dentist... Transplant-no problem, Dentist-dread like the plague.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

National Organ Donor Awareness Month

April is our month. Our nationally recognized month to promote organ donation/transplantation. Our one time to go above and beyond to make sure those who are still "waiting and dying" for a life saving organ get the chance we've had.  Or in my case the "many chances" I've had.
       I recently posted this on my Facebook page, Bette Luksha-Gammell wants to know. If you could go back to a crossroad in your life, would you go or would you take the same path knowing the outcome?
I posted this mainly to see what the responses would be. As I suspected the replying comments were from friends in the transplant community.  We all,  candidates & recipients have a common mental bond with this question. We seem to immediately apply questions such as this to the desicions we made on our health. The meaning in effect is that transplantation is our life. Our one true goal is to live. Not just to survive, but to Live.
        Along with this goal is the obligation to spread the word about organ donation. We must give back. Someone was spreading the word while we lay too sick to do so. They helped us to survive long enough to Live. Now, we must all join the fight to make sure those waiting get their chance at Life as well.
It is necessary to dispel the negative rumors still in circualtion regarding organ donation.
       As I write this, the current total for those waiting has hit 106,886! 
The total number of transplants in January 2010 was a mere 2,198.  Is it any wonder so many "die waiting"?
I could have been in this category three times. Yet, I was Blessed with a perfect match each and every time. Like many of you, transplantation changed my thought processes, my ideals and goals. At the age of 31 I could actually dream of a future. I got this wonderful spring in my step, this joy for life. The simple things that meant so much before, well their meaning has reached astronomical proportions. Facing death, a person learns what is important and to never take anything or anyone for granted.
Live like you were dying. We know the true depth of this statement. Enjoy and cherish each and every memory -good, bad and otherwise. For you might not have been here to even endure them.
     

      But most importantly-GIVE BACK. PAY IT FORWARD.. Give someone the chance to experience all the obstacles this life has to offer.  Promote organ donation/transplantation.  Sign an organ donor card and tell your family. One day you may wake to find a loved one needs that life saving donation. Please don't wait until that time to sign that card. Do it now... You won't regret it.

Share your life....... Share your decision.... Recycle yourself......

Sunday, April 4, 2010