A lot of folks have been EXTREMELY KIND and GENEROUS to me over the past 24 hours, and I am overwhelmed by the outpouring!
I really don't know what to say -- I never would have imagined that this could happen! I wish I had had the nerve to do this 7-10 days ago, as I wouldn't be in the fix I'm in today...
Right now, the pain is just below the un-bearable as long as I take the CLEOCIN & PERCOCETS, and I'm trying to hang in there until tomorrow. I've called the JAX EMERG DENTAL CLINIC & I'm awaiting a call-back -- hopefully I'll get in first thing in the am... (UPDATE: they gave me a 2PM appt tomorrow, Tuesday -- ONLY 24 hrs to go...)
A lot of folks have recommended I go to the ER, but, I'm not sure WHAT a hospital ER would do for me, other than give me dirty looks, suspecious that I'm just there to get drugs. I have great MED INS, so that's not a problem, I just can't think what the ER would do for me? Has anybody here ever gone to an ER for a toothache? If YES, what was your experience?
Everybody: the other day, I was really at the end of my rope! About 6 nights ago (I can't really remember which night), I had lost my temper with Ralphie (don't worry, I didn't hit him or anything). It was time for his monthly heartworm pill, and, as I really only have one arm that works, it is never "fun" to wrestle with him over this. I was in my nightly severe pain, and he was being his usual stubborn self, and I just lost it and YELLED at him: "GD-it Ralphie, sit still!"
He sat back on his butt & looked up at me & what I saw in his eyes was: fear...
Thankfully, he doesn't appear to remember it -- if it storms, he still crawls into my lap and closes his eyes & sighs (course, he also snorts & fahts, but love means never having to say you're stinky, right?)That was about as low as I could get -- what kind of jerk yells at a little dog, his best bud and roomie? Ah, geez! It really tore me up and I decided I had to do sumptin, or this stupid tooth disaster was gonna do me in.
I spent several days getting up the nerve to come on the EO and beg. To say I was apprehensive is a massive understatement! I still cannot believe how you guys came through for me -- it's truly astounding!
The other night I saw a program about 4 homeless families, and I feel like a jerk... I think about Darfur and the suffering there, and I feel like a jerk.
I gave that bozo my last $500; I've been in constant (increasing) pain for the past 4-5 weeks, and I was up the creek, with nowhere to turn, but you guys came through!
Some of you sent me astonishingly large sums that blew my socks off... Some of you sent small sums that broke my heart with guilt... And some of you sent thoughts and prayers that boosted my spirits...
I will TRY to say "THANK YOU" in this thread, but I'm sure my words are inadequate. If I forget anybody, please forgive me, as I haven't been thinking straight for awhile...
To each and all here:
THANK YOU! and: HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON from:
Tom & Ralphie
nb: the following "THANK YOUS" are in NO particular order, and, if I missed anybody, please accept my addled brains apology...
posted on December 25, 2006 12:35:57 PM
It was so good to hear from you Tom, and to know that folks on this board have been so generous. God bless you all, that is the true spirit of Christmas.
It is good to know that you have an appointment tomorrow Tom, just hang in there, and let us know when you finally get the problem taken care of.
Christmas has become so commercialized, we often forget that it is about giving. I was so happy to hear from our youngest daughter this morning to say that her husband had given her sponorship of a little 7 year old girl in the Congo for Christmas, who lost her parent from aids. She is looking forward to writing to her, and was so thrilled with her gift.
posted on December 25, 2006 03:27:34 PM
Tom,
Ralphie understands that you would not be mean to him!
I know how difficult it is to get my Kobe to take his medicine.
Dogs really do discern when something is wrong with their masters.
I tried to send you a THANK YOU email for that link you sent me, but my email bounced back to me -- didn't want you to think I was ignoring your KINDNESS...
posted on December 25, 2006 04:28:11 PM
tom~ The root canal I had in the early 90's that I referred to in the other thread was started in an ER....
They numbed me as best they could, drilled and pulled the dead roots, then caulked it up. They gave me painkillers as well. Pretty good ones if I remember correctly.
I, then, went to a dentist the next day, where he finished cleaning it out, put in the little rods and finished it up.
Come to think of it, that dentist didn't charge any less than he always charged. The work was half done, for goodness sakes!
