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Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Writing under the influence. #feelthebern

I just finished my fourth oral surgery in four years, and going into it I was cranky. And I'm also aware (again) of how lucky I am.

There was a time when I didn't have money or insurance and when a tooth became infected, I just had to soldier through. I eventually had it pulled while I was awake and felt it, and it hurt and I felt panicked.

Back then, there was no talk of implants, because there was no chance I could pay for it. I couldn't really afford to have the tooth pulled, so I signed up for a care credit account (29% interest, but at least I could get the painful tooth out).

Today, I the put me under with general anesthesia. The extracted the tooth, did a bone graft and put in an implant. I felt nothing, and didn't have to deal with the panic of dentists laying me back and working on me. (That triggers PTSD for me. It's not the pain, but the laying there with stuff in my mouth and feeling really vulnerable.) I didn't have to deal with any of it - I just slept through it.

I don't expect this recovery to take very long, but still - I get to take as many days off work as I need. And I will rest comfortably on my couch in a home I love. (Even if I have no desire to spend another minute on that couch...seriously? Four oral surgeries, plus hysterectomy/endometriosis excision in four years! I'm done with all of this recovering on the couch crap!)

Once again, there is a lot more options available to those of us who have money and insurance. I'm very grateful that right now, I am one of the people who has options. I want to live in a place where everyone can get help, healthcare, and comfort when they need it.