I couldn’t resist this selfie, taken the moment when Dr. Merryman pulled my troubled tooth out of my mouth. It didn’t hurt then, it’s making up for that tonight, but it’s all good—no more infected gums. He couldn’t stop shaking his head and laughing.

It began as an awful week. I had severe bronchitis wanting to be pneumonia. We headed it off thanks to the Urgent Care staff at Saratoga Hospital and Dr. Tetu. I am almost over it – still coughing and weak – but it is much better, and I slept the last two nights. Good news.

I don’t remember ever feeling sicker. I was sure I’d end up in the hospital.

I staved off two $800 insulin bills by canceling the ones overcharging me and getting a prescription for others. That was good news.

My diabetes numbers are down to normal and healthy, thanks to my Libre 2 blood sugar reader.

I’ve finally broken the grip Covid had on me for months.  My blood sugar is excellent, and I’ve lost seven pounds in one week by making some dietary changes (not everything they say is okay for diabetics is okay for diabetes, the Libre 2 showed me that). I am above my natural weight and re-adjusting my diet and my portions.

I couldn’t lose any weight once I got Covid. Perhaps it just got sick of me rather than making me sick.

 

We got our income taxes from our accountant today. The bad news is that my income is going down; the good news is that I owe no taxes for 2023.

And today, as the photo shows, I finally removed the tooth above my infected gum. The tooth is gone, and the infection is gone. I might not need to replace it; it’s not a significant tooth in a visible place. This means I don’t need to spend the $4,000 I thought I would deal with the infection and the damage it was doing to my gums. It’s looking good.

It also means no solid food for a few days and a lot of pain. On balance, a hell of a week. The infection saga is over, we owe no taxes my diabetes numbers are just where they should be, and I’ve saved hundreds, even thousands of dollars this week.

Dr. Merryman is a wonderful human and an excellent dentist. I never felt a second’s pain, either during the novocaine injections or the tooth remove.  Until I got home

We had fun, he and I; he loves to laugh. Maria was in the waiting room to drive me home; Zinnia was at my feet (unless someone had a treat). He has an incredibly friendly staff.

My gum hurts a lot; I’m going to bed with Tylenol tonight. I can’t use my sleep apnea machine; too much congestion and coughing still. The doctor urged me to rest today and tomorrow. I’m trying my best, and I know I’m not entirely out of the woods.

It was a great week; the fates were on my side. I’m celebrating tonight; just not sure how. And I haven’t heard from a Stink Bug all week.

And, oh yes, the awful storm that has been paralyzing much of the country this week passed us by, one or two inches of snow and slippery roads. The power stayed on. Spring inches closer every day.

 

One of the above teeth was my extracted tooth, but I can’t remember which one. It looks like a cavity row to me. My grandmother had a Mom and Pop store with penny candy. She always had a jar waiting for me of my favorite candies.

Our dentist saw me often, I am no stranger to dentistry, but it looks like I’ll keep all my teeth but two to the end.