The denture adventure continues

I'm so, so proud of myself.

Yesterday's tiny gain could have sent me right straight to McDonald's for something fried and fat or to Tiny Kroger for a delicious bakery creation for breakfast yesterday. I didn't eat breakfast before I went to the dentist, which is unusual, and maybe it was in the back of my mind that I'd grab something fast and yummy between the dentist and the oil change appointments. But I didn't. I'm not sure if skipping breakfast is better than eating something yummy, but I chose to skip.

The dentist appointment went great. HAD IT NOT, you can bet I would have been diving for doughnuts. But this try-in was perfect and looks good, better than I ever expected.

For anyone out there who may not know, I've been on an upper denture adventure since last June. I went in yesterday for the second third try-in. We're starting from scratch. Again. (I had two try-ins with the first set of dentures and they STILL didn't work.)

Here's what happens at my dentist's when your natural teeth fall out and you have to get replacements (some practitioners do immediate dentures, mine doesn't):

• The dentist extracts any remaining natural teeth.
• You go home and hide for six to eight weeks. BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO UPPER TEETH.
• After complete healing of your gums, you go back to the office to have an impression made.
• You go back again a few days later to have a bite impression made. 
• The dentist sends the impressions off to a lab where they make a fake set of dentures out of wax.
• You go back again to try out the wax model. If it looks good and feels good and fits well, then …
• The dentist sends it back to the lab for the real deal to be made.

When you live in the Middle of Nowhere, each step in the process takes about a week, after the healing period. The dental lab is two hours away by car, but two DAYS away by UPS. So, two days to deliver, a day or two to make, two days to return.

When I found out yesterday the lab was only two hours away, I volunteered to take the wax model to the lab myself, to save some time. We're going away this weekend and by making the four-hour round-trip drive yesterday, I will have have the new appliance Thursday. Instead of next Monday.

You don't know how I dreaded meeting up with our friends and eating in restaurants with the current set of upper dentures. They look HORRIBLE and they fit badly and they give me a headache and I can't eat with them. I envisioned a weekend from hell, truly.

My dentist was happy and I was happy and I left his office with my future happiness tucked in a little box. I still had to get the oil changed, so I left the car and called my husband and TOOK A WALK. It was only about 22 degrees, but I had a little excess energy I needed to get rid of. My husband came to town, left his car and went with me to the big city of Dunbar, WV.

We dropped the box off, were triply assured that it would be back at my dentist's office Thursday and went to lunch. At a Chinese buffet. Probably not the best choice, but when we do that we don't eat dinner. And it was Monday, my "free" day, the one day of the week when I give myself permission to exceed the calorie limit and not exercise. (By my estimate, I didn't even exceed the calorie limit. Yay, me!)

We made it back to Summers County by mid-afternoon, I dropped him off at his car and then … are you ready? … I took ANOTHER walk. It was warm and pretty and I wasn't about to waste a nice day. Combined with the morning walk I ended up logging 4.33 miles in an hour and 22 minutes. A pretty good pace, all in all.

I'm hoping to wrap this adventure up Friday morning and never speak of it again. And if it makes you squirmy that I'm speaking of it now, I apologize. I would have loved to have found someone's personal experience with the process to read as I was going through it, and that's the reason I'm spending so much time on it. My dental problems are the result of genetic bone loss, not poor hygiene, but people tend to assume that if you have dentures you never brushed your teeth. NOT TRUE! Sometimes it's just one of those expensive, painful, frustrating, almost never-ending life situations that happens.

And you've just finished reading a rather long PSA. Thanks for your patience. I hope I've helped. Heh.

Photo op fail

For someone who is, as my husband lovingly likes to say, glued to her smartphone, I found myself unglued late yesterday morning, leaving the blog much poorer in photos today.

I set out to take a long walk early, phone in hand, and decided – on a whim – to do Day 1, Week 1 of a Couch to 5K app I'd downloaded a while ago. (Because I'm whimsical like that. Also, thanks for the inspiration, Gingerzingi!) Due to operator error, I ended up doing 20-ish minutes instead of the full 30, so I started over when I got to the turnaround of my out-and-back loop.

I'm going to find a new app and start over AGAIN, though, because the one I picked (because it was highly rated and free) doesn't give me all the cool stats Gingerzingi's does. (Or at least I can't figure out how to find them. I tried.) I am so inspired by her progress and would love to watch my speeds improve as the training advances.

Naturally I had a GPS application going, too, to track my total miles/speed, which ended up being 6.87 miles in 1:48:03, for an average pace of less than 16 minutes/mile.

By Nicubunu (Own work)
[CC-BY-SA-3.0
(http://creativecommons.org/
licenses/by-sa/3.0)
or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/
copyleft/fdl.html)],
via Wikimedia Commons

Running two GPS apps simultaneously seriously drained the battery, however, and I had to put it on the charger as soon as I got home. Thus, I couldn't take it with me when I hopped in the car to go pick cherries at a neighbor's who invited me to clean out his trees. If I wanted to.

Free cherries? When organic cherries are selling for $8 a pound at Tiny Kroger? I'm on it, doggone it!

There were many photo ops during this adventure. I could have gotten an up-close-and-personal view of the upper branches of a cherry tree from my 20-foot-high perch in a front loader. I could have shown you the carpet of cherries on the ground below the trees, after all the wind we had yesterday. I might have gotten an artsy-fartsy close-up shot of a single perfect specimen.

After a good 45 minutes balancing myself in that front loader, I was so stiff I could barely move, and my bucket was more than half full. My neighbor then said I wasn't leaving until he'd pitted them! Um, sure, I'll let someone else pit two gallons of cherries, thankyouverymuch. Turns out he had one of these:

It had belonged to his mother, but since he's the only family member with cherry trees (his mom, aunt, two cousins and a brother all live within a mile of each other – this is West Virginia, after all!), he confiscated it from her kitchen and put it to good – and speedy! – use before sending me on my way.

My two gallons yielded three quarts sans seeds and stems, and I am one happy cavewoman. They're in the freezer, ready for some kind of paleo-friendly crisp or cobbler this winter.

Vickie asked yesterday in a comment how many bananas I eat. According to LoseIt, bananas are my number-two favorite food (eggs are first), and I've eaten 75 of them in the past six months, 53 since beginning the paleo plan three months ago.

I don't know if cavewomen ate bananas or not, but this one does and will continue to do so. Portable and easy to eat, bananas are perfect for those of us beginning Year Two of the Denture Adventure. Heh.

A side note: A year ago right now, I was drinking campfire coffee brewed on the grill, we'd been without electricity for more than 12 hours, four of our pine trees had fallen over in front of our eyes and it would be another eight days (during a brutal heat wave) before the Mon Power crews made it out to the Middle of Nowhere. May we never have another derecho. And may you never experience one, either.

Oh, the trauma

Okay, I'm awfulizing, but yesterday was horrible!

Not the part where you left comments pointing me to your favorite blogs. (And thanks, Denise, for your very kind words about mine, that was a treat to read in an otherwise helluva day.)

The Great Denture Adventure continues. Yesterday I actually got to try the fit of the new appliance. Five minutes later I was in tears. And I was still in tears half an hour later when I got home. And … well, you get the idea.

If your genetics have already predisposed you to eventually needing dentures, do everything you can right now to overcome it. I'm sure I could have done more, but seriously, I've known this day was coming for a long time. Probably since my first visit to a periodontist more than 25 years ago.

Suffice it to say the fit was so not right that the dentist had to take another bite impression and we're tacking an extra week onto the whole process. I get another "try-in" next week and then they'll make the permanent plate.

That is, if it fits right.

According to Dr. Google, DDS, it can take months to get used to having a football in your mouth. I realize millions of denture wearers have become accustomed to them, and I'll give it the old college try, I really will.

But I was ready yesterday to decimate my retirement account in order to pay for waaaaaay more expensive implants. Even knowing that because of the severe bone loss I've suffered I'm not a good candidate for those, either.

I wish I could be just like Scarlett and "think about it tomorrow." But seriously? All I can think about is what a pain in the ass roof of the mouth this has been, is and will continue to be.

Every January …

My husband and I, every winter, say we're going to close up the house and go to the beach for a couple months. Or weeks. Depending on which one of us you're talking to. Last year we couldn't go because his mother was sick. This year we can't leave the dog, and she doesn't travel well.

It's always something.

Winter took a hike yesterday, however. It was warm enough to be outdoors without a jacket, and today will bring a high temperature in the 50s again, although it'll be cloudy. Yesterday was a glorious day to … go to the dentist.

Hah!

It wasn't as bad as I anticipated, however, and we are moving right along in Denture Adventure, the Sequel.

I signed up for a dental discount plan with very reasonable monthly premiums which will end up saving me about half the cost I was originally quoted for all the work I need done. I was so skeptical, for no reason, apparently. Maybe the dentist is inflating prices and the discount plan brings fees down to "normal." Whatever that is.

I've never had dental insurance and have always (fortunately!) been able to afford dental services as they happened. And I've had a lot of work done, including braces as an adult, root canals, periodontal treatment, a permanent bridge, cosmetic bonding, and an upper denture, along with routine cleanings.

But I'd much rather pay half the quoted fees than full price.

Since I'm home this January and since it's going to be mild and since my Tuesday walking-by-the-river date got cancelled due to ice, my friend and I rescheduled it for today. I've been consistent with the treadmill and not hating it, thanks to that resolution to read some of my Kindle books. I've almost finished this one. Trying to decide on the next.

Day 3 of the Whole 30 went well. Each successful day builds on the previous one, and I'm already 10 percent done and haven't been uncomfortably hungry except last night, because I skipped lunch. I would have eaten something mid-afternoon, but I was otherwise occupied in a dentist's chair.

I had planned ahead, though. Dinner was in the slow cooker when I got home and I didn't have to do a thing except fill my bowl.

It's not very kind of me to refer to the president as #PresidentSnowflake, but I can't help myself any more. He is coming apart at the seams, blaming everyone and anyone to see what might stick instead of manning up and offering to fully cooperate. And I think it will get worse before it's all over.

That said … be kind. And I'll try harder.

The antepenultimate day

When I get home from a trip I'm all revved up and peppy the day after, glad to be home, excited about getting back to normal, doing laundry and fixing dinner and – well, you get what I mean, don't you?

It's the day after the day after I get home when I crash and burn.

That would be today.

Yoga is on the agenda this morning and I hope to walk this afternoon, after the rain-rain-rain has moved out. I remember my dad asking, during a long stretch of back-to-back-to-back rain, "Think the rain will hurt the rhubarb?" I forgot to look at the rhubarb yesterday when I was out checking on the daffodils. I did notice some bright green cilantro in the herb garden, though, perhaps I should make chili for dinner.

Two other things on today's schedule: a dentist's appointment this morning. The denture adventure continues, heavy sigh. I believe a relining is in my future. I hate the damned thing, it's so uncomfortable. So there's that to not look forward to.

And the prison AA meeting tonight. Which really is something to look forward to.

Right now, I'm off to salute the sun, or at least the direction of the sun. Apologies for a kind of blah post. And before I forget it, here's a cause we can all get behind. Thanks for the awareness check, Audrey.

Here we go again …

I keep signing up for NaBloPoMo (even though I don't follow the prompts) and for FatMumSlim's Photo a Day (where I absolutely DO follow the prompts) and you know what? If I could find a place that inspired me to exercise, I bet I'd be doing that regularly, as well.

Well, whaddyaknow. I HAVE!

Training begins Monday, and I'm ready, ready, ready to (pause) rock and roll. Oh, and run.

Although I must confess that I hope the first day doesn't really include much running because it's been way too long since I've picked up the pace. Also my husband and I will not be doing this together, because he's dead set against my running. So I'll have to do it in secret.

If Rosie O'Donnell hadn't had that heart attack I think he'd be cautiously supportive of my return to running. (Oh, okay, I'll be jogging, not running.) Since she did, he's memorized the signs of women's heart attacks and gently pointed out that waist circumference (who, me?!?) is a major indicator and he went out and bought a bottle of regular-strength uncoated Bayer aspiring and MADE SURE I KNEW WHERE HE PUT IT.

I will be eating my words along with that aspirin if I end up having a heart attack.

I'm not ungrateful for his concern. Really, I'm not. I thought I did a pretty good job of preventing a heart attack last week by not watching the Republican convention, but did he applaud me for that? No, he did not.

I've been drinking green smoothies (mmmmm, don't knock it 'til you've tried it) three or four mornings a week. Although drinking my breakfast has more to do with having way too much homemade yogurt on hand than it does with wearing dentures.

HONEST!

(Oh, okay, it's easier to drink than it is to eat. I realize dentures will never feel like the real deal, but I just can't imagine ever being able to eat popcorn or steak again. Although the dentist promised I would.)

I worked four mornings this week and shopped all day yesterday. (Shopping for me means lugging heavy things around Sam's Club for a couple of hours. Not exactly exercise, but not sitting on my ass, either.) I hope to get a walk in this morning before the heavy rains move in. Then I will be sitting on my ass, knitting and watching FOOTBALL. Yay!

Expect the blog to swing back to knitting and running and away from reaping (there wasn't much of that this summer) and eating (not much of that either, thanks to the denture adventure) for the next few weeks. I'm still slogging away on the blue sweater I started about 10 years ago. (HEH.) Would love to have it finished to wear during election season. It's the perfect shade of Obama blue.

Can't wait for next week

I'm so sick of GOPRepublicanTeaPartyBS I could SCREAM!

Instead, I'll just breathe in, breathe out and move on. Or moveon.org. Heh.

Hey, thanks for all the comments about being busy. The beginning of a new school year – whether you're in school or have kids in school or, like me, aren't even affected by school – appears to set off the busy season.

I was so busy this morning I couldn't even blog. Who gets their teeth cleaned at 8 a.m.? I do, apparently. My new dentist and his staff are very kind, non-judgmental, never in a hurry and do all they can to make their patients comfortable. This whole denture adventure has been an ordeal, but it hasn't been their fault at all.

Eating is still problematic, but I guess I'll get used to it, eventually. At least that's what they tell me. ("They" includes the dentist, his staff, my Amish neighbors and the internets.)

After the dentist I went to work, and after work I stopped for the mail and LOOK WHAT I GOT!

Winnie, who won yarn in the Summer of Yarn Giveaway, used a little bit of it and a whole lot of her own creativity to make me a thank-you card. This is clever in so many ways, Winnie – the argyle texture, the sweet little tag, the color – it's just lovely and so thoughtful. Thank YOU!

And now I'm waiting for a friend to drop by and I'M STAYING AWAY FROM FACEBOOK. 'Cuz it's just too crazy right now. Next week will be all-Obama-all-the-time, and I can't wait!

4 out of 18

I've missed four days out of the last 18 (beginning on Thanksgiving Day) of walking at least two miles. This is a Big Deal for this lapsed walker, let me tell you. Today will be the fourth miss, as I'll be driving, driving, driving, lunching, attending a meeting, and then driving, driving, driving again. I will be hitting the road at 9:30 and who knows when I'll be home again.

If it weren't pouring down rain, I might go out right now and walk in the dark. NOT!

But the very fact that I entertained the idea, even for long enough to write it down, tells you something about this new commitment I've made to become a more active old woman.

I have very little hope that the increased activity will result in actual reduction of lard. My body just doesn't seem to want to release any of its fat stores. I eat moderately, especially since the denture adventure began in August. Food really doesn't taste all that great when there's a piece of plastic jammed into your palate.

(Don't get me wrong, I'm happy to have the requisite number of pretty teeth again. It's been a very long time. But they do take the pleasure right out of eating.)

One (that one being me) would think that the increased activity combined with the reduced food intake would result in some – even a little – weight loss. Alas, it hasn't happened. The scale doesn't move, either up or down. I'd love to be maintaining if I were at a normal, or even slightly overweight number. But the number is far too high and I'm far too uncomfortable to be maintaining at this level.

The benefits of eating less and moving more go beyond weight loss, though, and I hope to begin enjoying those sooner rather than later. I'm rather astonished at how difficult it is for me to just get out of a chair or tie my shoes. At 61, I feel I'm too young to be experiencing these kinds of physical limitations. I'M NOT READY FOR VELCRO TENNIS SHOES! (My dad thought those were the best invention evah!)

As I write this, I can clearly see that the third "leg" of this mission needs to be some kind of strength training, either yoga or light lifting. Strong women stay young. I hope it's not too late for me.

The surgery saga

You've been through the denture adventure with me, so how about hip surgery? Any takers?

Yesterday was The Beginning. My husband and I have been mulling over possibilities, and decided that waiting until I'm eligible for Medicare – May, 2016 – was too far out. My mobility is sooooo limited and the pain is sooooo ever-present, that we really do need to take care of this sooner rather than later.

We've talked with several friends who've gone through joint replacements – one benefit of getting old is that at least some in your circle of acquaintances will have first-hand experience – and one doctor's name came up repeatedly as The One.

I first called my insurance company to make sure he was in network. And then I called the surgeon's office and made an appointment. He's booked until December. 

So he must be good, amirite?

My initial consultation will be December 8. I explained to the staff person I didn't want the surgery until early next year, and she seemed to think I wouldn't be able to schedule anything sooner anyway.

So I'm officially in the hip-replacement surgical pipeline. The saga begins.

The party's over

Five p.m. today is the deadline for comments if you'd like to win the fourth and final Summer of Yarn Giveaway. I haven't reduced the size of my stash by much, but every little bit helps, and I'm moving toward a mind-place where I don't really need a lifetime supply of yarn. Not quite there yet, but close.

I was sick yesterday, sick enough to spend the day in bed. Sick enough to sleep most of the day and all night, too. Well, most of the night. At 4 a.m. I was wide awake and hungry. As I write, I'm having a bowl of yogurt with cinnamon, a banana and a little brown sugar. And coffee. I must be feeling better because I never drink coffee when I'm sick.

Done and ready to fill with goodies.

While I don't feel ill this morning, I also don't feel terribly energetic or motivated to do any of the bazillion things that need to get done around here. I'm kind of sorry the bag-knitting is finished. I still have a sweater on the needles, but I'm not terribly motivated to finish it at the moment. Still, though, knitting is knitting and after a fairly long stretch where I didn't knit a stitch, it felt good to be working on a project again.

I might just tuck myself into the den with a movie and the sweater and hope my getting-things-done mojo returns tomorrow.

We're supposed to have a lot of rain today, so that gets me off the hook for any kind of outdoor work. The next several days look good as far as temperatures go. I always think of August as the hottest month of the year, but July definitely was this year. It's been in the 80s all month so far, and the humidity has come down considerably. That's always a good thing.

You know you're getting old when you're excited about getting your dentures tomorrow! Or maybe Tuesday. You'll be the second to know. Heh. Aren't you glad the denture adventure is almost over? (I'm probably jinxing myself by writing that … I hear it can take up to six months to get used to them.)