Tooth Saga The End (I Hope) in Still Listening to Spirit

Tooth Saga, The End I Hope Wednesday, October 02, 2013

So, Monday morning, 6am. I called and left a message with AK Seaplanes. I got Bill up at 6:45a and got him downstairs. I handed him his beard trimmer and told him to shave his left cheek for surgery. He did. I took a quick shower, got his pills into his jacket pocket, got him to get dressed. He asked me at least 4 times "Now, where am I going?"

I got hold of Miranda at AK Seaplanes and got Bill a seat. I told him that once he gets to Juneau, he needs to get in a cab and go to the dentist. The dentist's assistant would drive him to the oral surgeon. Miranda is the one who a few years ago damn near killed her significant other while drunk, went to jail, got sober, and is another of the miracles of sobriety.

We got Bill on the plane. I was a wreck, crying as Miranda and I talked, mostly crying in relief. I sent him by hiimself because I was fed up, stressed out, and in my state of mind, I decided that he needed to do something on his own, I was tired of babysitting and being responsible.

Miranda tried to get the charges entered into our account, computer down. She said she would just do it later. Then she said "I have a buddy pass, I'll just use it for Bill's trip." (Buddy pass, free flights because she works there and she flies anytime free and can take a 'buddy' with). I burst into tears...again. She said that in case I had to go, we would be okay to eat and pay bills. Bless her heart.

I had a relaxing day Monday. I talked to Bill who told me that he was just to sit at the oral surgeon until he had time to look at what needed to be done. At noon, I learned that they would not be able to treat him until Tuesday. I talked to the surgeon's office two or three times as well.

When Bill finally called me at about 3:30, he told me that they would see him Tuesday at 9am and that they told him he would need a responsible adult escort to pick him up or they couldn't do the surgery.

WTH? I called and they told me that he would have IV sedation and they were not allowed by law to let him go by himself. I asked if a taxi driver could pick him up and take him to the airport. Nope.

DAMN, couldn't they have told me that the other times I called. It was too late for the 3pm ferry. I called the airport and Jo said the last flight out was 4:30. I had 20 minutes to get my shit together, get on the plane, and fly to Juneau. I called Madame to get some cash as I had sent all with Bill. I asked her if Greg could let the dogs out of the garage a couple of times a day and make sure their food and water was full.

I speed packed, got cash from Madame, as I was driving to the airport, Jo called to say I had better hurry. I told her i was 2 minutes away. I got on the plane, and off we went. We bounced, we flew sideways a bit, it was not the worst flight I ever had, but close. I got to the airport in Juneau, called the Super 8 motel for shuttle. Bill had left a message on my cellphone that is where he was at.... They came and got me, I got a keycard which wouldn't work in the door for me, finally knocked on the door and Bill was thrilled to see me.

The highlight of the trip? A Big Mac and fries at McDonalds, which was across the parking lot from the motel. Also finding a large Dell crossword book with specialty puzzles. Very exciting?! I suppose.

The motel van took us to the oral surgeon. Bill was in there about 2 hours. When he came out, he was shaky, unstable, off balance, oh my and he not only had to walk to the van, but there were 6 stairs to navigate to get there. I handed the driver $10 before I asked him to help me with Bill. He was very helpful and we got Bill into the van and back to the motel, then I got him to the room, about as far away as possible from the front door, with Bill leaning walking and bouncing off the wall.

We sat in the room until checkout at noon, then van to the airport for our 1:45p plane. Another bouncy, sideways, VERY cloudy 45 minute flight to Skagway and we were home.

I was quite angry that I had put Bill on the plane Monday as the dentist told me to, and then he had to spend the night. If we'd have waited, we could have flown down at 7:25 and back at 11:30 or 1:45 and not spent money on a $116 motel room. However, that hotel room was the only expense that was unnecessary so I am good with it all.

The oral surgeon cut his bill in half! I was so grateful. I put part of it on my social security debit card and made arrangements for them to charge $100 on it each month until it is paid off.

We are SO blessed that it appears this didn't break our winter bank. Not out of the woods yet, but closer. Bill has a drain in the side of his face that I have to irrigaate at least 2 times a day, strong antibiotics, strong pain meds. The oral surgeon also pulled the back tooth next to the one he had pulled because the oral surgeon said it just needed to go before it gave trouble too.

Daisy wouldn't go outside for Greg. She hid between the dresser and washer, growled and showed her teeth, and bit Greg. He said it didn't break the skin....so he just left her alone. Madame texted me and I told her that the dogs could just go poop in the garage, not to worry. When we got home, both dogs were out. Greg had gotten them out, then they wouldn't come back in! I am so grateful to so many who helped us out.

I am exhausted. I am so tired, I can't hardly think. I walked around in circles unpacking when I got home, it took me 3 tries to remember I wanted to run the washer. Once to put clothes in....then oh, the detergent and then distracted again. I was all ready to go upstairs when I remembered I didn't turn the washer on... I fed myself some rice and a cup of hot tea. I have been forgetting to eat. I think that Big Mac was my first food in 3 days....

I am done for now. I pray this is over. When I irrigated the drain tonight, something I did made Bill have pain from his jaw to the top of his head and down his left shoulder. Nerve I hope, it took a while for it to calm down.... There was only lightly red tinged water coming out of the drain when I irrigated it. I may ask Lynn to take a look tomorrow, the drain looks squished on the outside, but I know nothing.... I did get water into and out of it.

Please, let this be done. I'm going to sleep for a week, I swear and be selfish--look after myself first...

Blessed be!