Teefs

[gwyn]

WTF? feochadn and I were watching a Damian Lewis movie (and the Chuck episode that has her great love, Arnold Vosloo, in it that I saved for her) and eating red beans and rice with andouille sausage when I crunched into this really hard thing. I fished it out of my mouth, and thought it was possibly a piece of bone from the sausage (gross, but yeah, not entirely unexpected). A bit later I realized it was part of my molar. I was eating red beans and rice! The only thing softer is gruel! It's a pretty hefty section of the crown on my left middle molar, and that crown caused me so much hideous pain and suffering that I can't believe I'm going to have to have it worked on again.

Also, I have no insurance, and no money. This will be lots of fun. Because it's also property tax month. I really do wonder why I chose to try freelancing sometimes. I fail at life and finding work. Gah.

The funny thing about all this is that I'm acutely conscious right now of my spending and lack of income. The other night I went over to jarrow's to have him do a budget spreadsheet for me, which he loves to do (you too can have one for the mere cost of $10! ask me how), and even though I thought my extremely peculiar situation would stump him completely, he still managed to put one together where I could at least track what I owe and what I'm paying out in bills and regular life expenses. It's really cool, but also for me a bit dispiriting because I have let myself get into a position of owing money on a credit card, and while it's not like what most people have in terms of debt, for me it seems impossible and untenable. I have never been one to accumulate debts and things. But he has encouraged me by telling me his budget helped him dig himself out of a big hole, so...

I just don't know exactly what I'm going to do about this freaking tooth. It feels really weird. Not painful yet, but if more comes off it, it'll be a bare stump of nerves. ::shudders::

We heard today that those of on the waiting list could register for VVC for realz, but now I just don't know what to do. I think I may finally have enough miles to fly Alaska for free, but... I just don't know.

Comments

[kirbyfest.livejournal.com]

Urg-- the crown itself broke? Is it under warranty? ;)

(I've never had a crown go, but I had a tooth break right around a filling. It was unpleasant. On the other hand, I was eating Corn Nuts, so I probably deserved it...)

Getting out of debt is never impossible. It can be hard, but it's never impossible. Go you for taking the first step with the budgeting.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I wish it had a warranty! But then I'd have to go back to the dentist who put it in, and I really don't want that. They said they're going to have to take it all off and put a new one on. I thought they were supposed to last forever too, but they told me it's more like 10-15 years. Crap.

[klia.livejournal.com]

I've never known anyone who had a crown that broke! Those things are supposed to be harder than actual teeth, aren't they? GAAAHHH!

*hugs*

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I know! I was rather dismayed when they told me they really don't last forever. Guess no more Cornnuts for me anymore, huh?

[nagasvoice.livejournal.com]

It's possibly your tooth is falling apart *around* the crown. I believe you really can't decide on what to do until you know how much the repair on it will cost. You can't really ignore it either. OTOH, if it's really gone and done, they can simply pull the tooth, which is much cheaper. If the nerve has died, there's no pain whatever. However, they like to keep you teeth in your head as long as possible, it delays later osteoporosis/bone loss in your jawbone. Or so sayeth my own dentist, who was possibly fishing for more later repairs, instead of me with empty gaps all over.

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I guess because the rest of my teefs are so healthy, they want to take the crown off and put a new one on. Oy. They were trying to calm me down, but he could tell I was freaking out. And the estimate just about knocked me on my ass. At least this guys is considered one of the best in Seattle.

[fishsanwitt]

When I lost my crown (by eating a caramel apple), my dentist put a temporary cover on it - not a crown - and I managed to wear that thing for almost a year and a half, because I couldn't afford to have my tooth re-done.
This was *years* ago - but I'll bet they still have those temporary coverings.

Good luck!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I used to be fine with dentists till this crown came along. The temporary one came loose and got sugar (from my birthday cake, no less) under it, which is I guess like pouring acid on tooth nerves. Then they put another temporary on, and another, and got my bite maladjusted... gah. I wish I'd had your luck, honestly.

[keerawa.livejournal.com]

EEEEEK! *has nothing to offer but sympathey*

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I'll take that!

[sdwolfpup.livejournal.com]

Oh no, that sounds terrible. I am not sure what to suggest so I will just give you *hugs*.

I know what you mean about the debt being scary and overwhelming. I am, for different reasons, in much the same situation right now and we just re-did our budget this weekend to cease my generalized freaking out. Heh. Knowing where I stand monetarily helps give me a feeling of control of what's going on at least. I hope your budget helps you, too!

Good luck with the VVC decision; if you DON'T go, we'll be having a day of vid-watching here in Seattle for those left behind, so let me know if you stay and I'll make sure you're invited. :)

[par-avion.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the dentist. *has no advice*

I would (selfishly) love for you to come to VVC!

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I think that lately, it's been so hard because I got that way over stuff for the house and other lame things, but then when it came time to deal with the stuff I needed (like, not coming apart underwear or bras, cat care, and so on), I had this huge (well, to me) debt that I didn't really pay attention to, and it hinders being able to do the stuff you need.

One thing I did today was to cash in some of the points I earned on my biggest card to get gift cards for a few things I know I will need. That way I can buy it out of the extras I got for charging up such a storm!

Mostly I just feel so hopeless. It doesn't seem solvable, with my sporadic income and FAIL in life.

[mlyn.livejournal.com]

There is dental service available in the city for those who can't pay full price. Sliding scale. My ex (W.) went to one and got a LOT of work done over time, and he was definitely in the same financial situation. Check it out.

*hugs*

[gwyn-r.livejournal.com]

I know I should probably go that route, but I ended up going to Tina's dentist because he's one of the best in Seattle, and I really feel like I need that help since this was such a hellacious project the first time. And of course you really pay for the high-tier people, but... I don't think I can handle that kind of pain again and that sort of misery for weeks on end.