It Has Been A LONG Four-and-a-half Months!

Mid-November of last year, I had to have all (except for eight!) teeth pulled.  The drug I was taking for my Multiple Sclerosis destroyed my teeth.

I put off the decision for as long as I could.  Who WANTS dentures?  But teeth were breaking every time I opened my mouth (it seemed!). 

Sooooo, I talked with my dentist.  Fortunately, he was familiar with MS and scheduled me with some oral surgeons.  He was also upfront and truthful with me.  “I will make dentures for you, but I will NOT put them in your mouth right away.  With your MS and medical history, I want you to HEAL first.  You’ll be without teeth for a minimum of three months.  Now, if you don’t want to do that, that’s fine.  But then you’ll need to find another dentist.”

I agreed, but there were times I half-wished I hadn’t.  I was without teeth for my birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s….

Well, yesterday was The Day!  I still have to go in for adjustments, but at least I can SMILE again!  For me, that's pretty important.  In fact, I never realized just how MUCH I smiled at people.  I smile to say "Hi", smile to encourage, smile to share joy, smile to express thanks, so much more.  

Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.  ~Mother Teresa

Round One!

Well, I debated blogging about this…but it’s really not some big, dark secret.  I fell a few weeks ago, and my doctor said the words I SO did not want to hear: “You really shouldn’t live alone anymore.”  I felt like saying, “Well, what am I supposed to DO?!”  I don’t want to leave my home.  Don’t want to leave my Greyhounds.  So begins the search for people…programs…ANYthing that can help me.

After several dead-ends, I finally had a glimpse of hope today.  "Sally" called me back today.  We eliminated one program because I can still dress myself (oh…my…GOSH!!!), but she feels she may be able to put me on a waiting list for some other things to help such as people to help with cleaning -- mopping floors, changing bed linens, doing the bathrooms, etc.  Stuff I simply can’t do anymore.  She is going to call me next month and set up a time to interview me. Going to see what they can do to help.

I’ve gone through a BUNCH of interviews during my life.  I was always sharing what I COULD do before.  You know…selling myself!  Now I’ll be telling her what I CAN’T do.

I don’t like this.  Which reminds me of another thing my doctor told me during my visit with him.  “You’re in denial.”  No argument.  I think it’s the denial that makes me fight.  It’s not so much denial that I close my eyes, turn my head and don’t search for options, alternatives, etc.  But, yes, it sends me to go lacing up my gloves—not going down without a fight!