It's not terminal but it isn't fun...

Welcome to my blog!

Out of sheer necessity to communicate, I find myself turning to the Internet to express thoughts and feelings during this very weird time in my life. I can only write so many emails of great length to friends before I bore them to tears with my tales "behind bars". But I'm aware that I'm not the only person who has gone through this, is currently going through this, or will go through it in the future.

In the long run I hope my ranting ends up helping someone, but right now my motives are purely selfish.

I just need to speak, yet I can't. So, dear followers, read on!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

a song in place of words

Hi All
Not in much of a writing mood today so instead I leave you a link to a recording of Elton John song I did the day before the accident. It was done in my little home studio so a bit raw and unedited. Here's hoping I can do this again after all has healed. My spirit included! Enjoy. And if you hate it, go easy on me please! :-)

http://powersounds.tripod.com/sounds/electricity.mp3

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

You should change your name to DEXTER....

Well today was "D" day.  D is for Dentist.

I have a dentist who is new to me within the last year after being with the same one for almost 20 years. This new dentist is quite wonderful. Young, hip and does very good work.  And I make him laugh. I like doing that. Because it's important to keep your dentist laughing so much that he forgets to give you the bill.  OK, well, he doesn't laugh THAT much, but he does give me a good deal knowing that I don't have dental coverage.
This is the first post-accident visit. Up to now, I've been treated in hospital oral surgery.  My dentist was surprised that the damage wasn't any worse given how I started out.  We got to do some really cool tests.
First, three xrays.
Then, the tooth stress test.  One was really nifty. It involves spraying this really really really cold fluid on the end of a cotton swab and holding it to each tooth to find out sensitivity and if any feeling remains the broken teeth.  The second really fun test involves taking an electric wand, attached to a little box with something called VOLTAGE in in to each test until I feel the electric current running into the root of the tooth.
I wish you all, dear readers, a chance to experience this.  It is my dream for ALL of you.
Because WHY should I be the only one to have this much fun?

So I turned to my dentists as he was plugging in the electric box: "Have you thought of changing your name to Dexter?"  (as in, Dexter, the HBO series staring Michael C. Hall which I enjoy a lot)
My dentist laughed and laughed.
Afterthought: never make your dentist laugh when he is holding a voltage wand to your teeth.

So oddly, the tooth that fell out seems to have taken route, and though there is some delayed feeling, there is feeling and the tooth is living.
One front tooth, which also broke has no feeling and will need a root canal. The other two, though broken are living.  So they will require bonding to rebuild the tooth.

Prognosis: Three bonded teeth, one root canal.

That happen in early November.

The cool news is that I decided to award myself for making it through being electrocuted in my mouth by making my first bowl of popcorn tonight since the accident.  The hot air popper purred away and the smell was mouth watering.  I pop this special kind of white kernel which is has none of those annoying hulls that get stuck in your teeth.  It's white and tender.  It was yummy and a refreshing break from the blender.

So that was how I spent my day.

Fall continues to make it's presence here.  I love this time of year. All the squash are out. One of my fav. veggies.  For about 6 weeks I can get this outrageously good squash called "Sweet Mama". It's a variety of Buttercup, sometimes called "cup less buttercup" or Japanese Kapocha.  There is also an "Amber Sweet Mama" They are so sweet. I cut them in half, roast them face down on a baking sheet.  A bit of butter after they come out of the over, and freshly ground sea salt, and a spoon and this is HEAVEN to me.

The apples are in from the orchards.  Cortland apples are only available for about six weeks and crazy good.  I can't bit into them without slicing them into thin slices and chew gently.

And then Halloween!  Oh my gosh!  I'm a walking costume already. A mouth full of smashed up teeth.  How scary! None of those yummy Halloween kisses (that no one likes but me) this year.  They'll yank out of my mouth all the work my new friend Dexter is about to do for me!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

sorry, I didn't recongnize you with your mouth open!

Well kiddies,  It's been a while since I posted and I'm sure you've all had your life on hold wondering what is going on.  If not, humor me and just pretend you were.
It's been a month since my wires were ripped from my mouth and my jaw is slowly healing.  I'm getting used to the the "new normal" that is my new bite.  My jaw closes but it is a few degrees from pre-accident.  There is not much to be done about that.  My jaw has reset in a best a position obtainable without surgery which doesn't guarantee anything better, and a whole host of other complications.  I won't go that route.
I can eat, and have been doing so with great lust.  I back to a healthier (certainly stronger) weight, working out again and moving forward.
As for the broken teeth. I'm of to see the dentist on October 5th to survey the damage.  I don't expect the four front teeth will go without some major work.  I have very little feeling in them which is never a good sign. The roots have receive a terrible blow.
I revisited the site of the accident.  I held on the the railing of the escalator like a scared little old man as I down. What I now see is that at the bottom of the ride is a plate of three yards of steel, before the brick floor begins. So clearly, I fell face forward into metal. SWEET!
Lesson to be learned: metal attracts metal
Think about it, it's deep.  Hey......close your mouth when your thinking so hard!