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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 2, 2022 16:50:03 GMT -5
jamesp - So it's open season on needling? LOL - Glad to hear it sounds like you're on the downhill side of mending! Maybe I should go with another analogy...since going downhill was the initial cause of the "racked ribs"!  rockjunquie - Tela, sorry to hear about the tooth. "Oh boy, a root canal. Yippee!!" *(Said no one ever!) - You know...you could always just have it pulled and tell people you're a hockey player! Plus it would save a ton of money.  rockpickerforever - Jean, good to hear that Bob is finally going to be able to get the artery replaced! Please...as the time gets closer, let us know it's coming up so we can remember him in our thoughts and prayers.  You betcha, Jason! Will always take those. To be clear, it's not his aortic artery, but the aortic VALVE in his heart needs replacing. He has had a bad heart murmur for years (the sound is the clicking of his calcified valve), and it has just been getting worse. They just kept checking it over time, until they finally felt it was time to take care of it. He almost felt like they were waiting for him to die, just playing chicken, to see how close they could cut it, lol. His doctor started the steps to replace the valve in January, but found there was an artery is his heart that was 80% blocked. Since he was right there, it would have been a cinch to insert a stent, but he wanted to have him on blood thinner (generic Plavix) a month before the surgery. Bob started taking it immediately, and ten days later, went to the ER with TTPs - Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpuras. They checked him out, ran tests, took labs and a chest x-ray. They did not appear overly concerned, and sent him home. We were there for maybe six hours, 10 pm to 4 am. Anyway, they no longer have to crack you open to replace a heart valve. They install a catheter in your groin, and slip the new valve into place. Installing the catheter one of the several procedures they do before the actual surgery. If all goes well, he should have a replaced heart valve soon, possibly by September, and not get so out of breath so easily. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 2, 2022 16:57:51 GMT -5
On the issue of teeth woes Mohs as mucho promblemohs…mostly I was just at urgent care again for a toothaches Gulping amoxicillin ha I’m ashamed of my smile Jeez its ugly  Altho I;m lucky to still have my front teeth ! Real lucky can still chew cautiously O well poverty teeth Not sure what going go first ha
A long time ago, I suffered from an abscessed tooth for a long while. I had no money, no insurance. My face was swelled up like I had the mumps. Agony. I stumbled into a peach job and got into the dentist. My first 2 full paychecks went to a root canal and filling. The dentist knew I didn't have insurance or much money, so he used pins to secure a metal filling on the stub that was left instead of a crown that I couldn't afford. My now dentist says no one uses pins anymore, but if it weren't for those pins- I'd have no tooth there. It held for like 30 years. He was a good - and kind- dentist. I'm sure he lost money on me.
I had a chipped front tooth almost my entire life. Happened when I was 10. I was at that same dentist for something and asked him about my front tooth. I meant the one NEXT to the chipped one which had a minuscule sliver taken out of the length of the surface. It was sensitive as hell. He just made a gesture for me to lay back and then he "capped" my larger chipped tooth with a filling. I didn't realize what he had done til he was finished and for the first time in decades, I had 2 front teeth and not 1 1/2! LOL! He did a beautiful job for cheap. I still have that "cap" So, my front teeth look ok. But, I'm embarrassed about my smile, too. In these days with everyone having sparkly white teeth, mine are stained. One day, I'll whiten them... maybe.
For my age and seeing how poor I have always been, my teeth are pretty good. For that I am thankful.
I wonder if you can find a dentist that does sliding scale fees?
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 2, 2022 17:07:28 GMT -5
jasoninsd is picking at me rockpickerforever . Could that be his nature ? Naw, no way. Since the Geritol stab I suppose I am own my own. Maybe he will take a long walk on a short dock...be nice Jason. Naw, I think he is just having some fun. No one here (intentionally) dishes out more than anyone can handle. Besides, it toughens you up to deal with ribbing and ridicule. It's actually good for you! Too bad so many people nowadays get butt hurt so easily. They gotta lighten up! You gotta roll with the punches!! |
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 2, 2022 17:11:18 GMT -5
jasoninsd is picking at me rockpickerforever . Could that be his nature ? Naw, no way. Since the Geritol stab I suppose I am own my own. Maybe he will take a long walk on a short dock...be nice Jason. Naw, I think he is just having some fun. No one here (intentionally) dishes out more than anyone can handle. Besides, it toughens you up to deal with ribbing and ridicule. It's actually good for you! Too bad so many people nowadays get butt hurt so easily. They gotta lighten up! You gotta roll with the punches!! Jean, I think he's had enough "ribbing". |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 2, 2022 17:33:41 GMT -5
 Sorry to hear these have been eluding you, James!! We also get little red ones, blue ones, green not so much, in southern Cal! Sorry for the crummy pic, didn't realize how bad it was until I posted it. The black thing it is on is a metal Shephard's Crook in the yard. See, you guys have prettier rocks and prettier dragons ! That one is striking. You mentioned it is small. You know I don't recall ever seeing a red one out this way. I did see another green one but the blue ones were picking at it so much it wouldn't sit still enough. The little golden one that mimics a wasp and the larger slate one seem comfortable in a the cloud of blue ones here. One other that flies real fast and over big water is content here. I have known people that have had that aortic valve replaced and felt like a new person. Maybe that will be Bob's experience ! He has had his share of issues, bet he dreads seeing the doc so much. I think he is on medicare; my rib thingy is my first Medicare experience. Health issues is becoming our concern, aging is a bummer that way. , yes, I would say it's a smaller one. Hard to tell from the photo, but it's body is maybe 1.5 inches long, but thick in diameter. Maybe it is a female full of eggs? For reference, the Shepherd's Crook is 3/8" diameter steel. So many times when they are that length, they are thread thin. I hope the new aortic valve makes Bob feel like a new person, too. There is so much he enjoys doing that he just doesn't have the energy for. That he is anemic doesn't help matters. He just did labs, and his n7mbers are down, as always. He has an appointment tomorrow for his 45th iron infusion in the last three or four years, and #46 in a week. James, yes, he is on Medicare. My newly acquired medicare card should come in today's mail. ETA - It did! It's official! |
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 2, 2022 17:36:53 GMT -5
rockpickerforever I hope Bob gets to enjoy his life more. It has to suck not being able to do anything. I'm glad he's finally going to have his heart issues addressed. I guess he won THAT game of chicken!
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 2, 2022 17:54:47 GMT -5
rockpickerforever I hope Bob gets to enjoy his life more. It has to suck not being able to do anything. I'm glad he's finally going to have his heart issues addressed. I guess he won THAT game of chicken! Thanks, Tela. Yeah, I think he deserves more out of life! Today he had an ultrasound done on his lower abdomen, to see if they can find what is causing him pain when he eats. He is anemic because he loses blood somewhere in his gut. His previous PC doc had diagnosed gallstones three years ago, but they have no inclination to remove the stones, or his gall bladder. His doctor appointment Friday is a DEXA Scan to check on the progress of his osteoporosis/osteopenia. Yes, he has a lot of issues! But it seems like the doctors are stepping up to the plate now, and looking into the reasons for all these issues. We both think things are looking up , as far as that goes! We are optimistic, not pessimistic. But will still gladly accept your prayers, thoughts, and well wishes! |
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Post by mohs on Aug 2, 2022 17:57:04 GMT -5
Yep I just haven't looked into the dental work hard enough There is part of me that doesn't want to put up w/ the hassle of dentures enough hassles going on ha ha thanks for the thoughts guys !! appreciate it  |
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Post by 1dave on Aug 2, 2022 17:58:18 GMT -5
Anyway, they no longer have to crack you open to replace a heart valve. They install a catheter in your groin, and slip the new valve into place. Installing the catheter one of the several procedures they do before the actual surgery. If all goes well, he should have a replaced heart valve soon, possibly by September, and not get so out of breath so easily. Back in 2000 I'd wake up at night hearing what I thought was a train out on the desert - click clack, click clack. It was my heart By 2012 it had changed to whoosh, whoosh. They cracked me open, cut the old one out, and stitched in one from a cow that had been turned to leather and treated with every fungicide etc. they could think of. It is still thumping fine. My younger brother Ray had his done several years later. not so lucky. Too much calcium in his heart muscle. the bleeding between stitches wouldn't stop. They ended up doing the procedure 3 times. |
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 2, 2022 18:03:16 GMT -5
rockpickerforever I hope Bob gets to enjoy his life more. It has to suck not being able to do anything. I'm glad he's finally going to have his heart issues addressed. I guess he won THAT game of chicken! Thanks, Tela. Yeah, I think he deserves more out of life! Today he had an ultrasound done on his lower abdomen, to see if they can find what is causing him pain when he eats. He is anemic because he loses blood somewhere in his gut. His previous PC doc had diagnosed gallstones three years ago, but they have no inclination to remove the stones, or his gall bladder. His doctor appointment Friday is a DEXA Scan to check on the progress of his osteoporosis/osteopenia. Yes, he has a lot of issues! But it seems like the doctors are stepping up to the plate now, and looking into the reasons for all these issues. We both think things are looking up , as far as that goes! We are optimistic, not pessimistic. But will still gladly accept your prayers, thoughts, and well wishes! Tell Bob, he certainly has my prayers and well wishes. He's going through a lot. |
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 2, 2022 18:06:37 GMT -5
1dave, let's hope it doesn't come to that. But I know it's a risk. So many things that can go wrong. There will be a second heart surgeon present during the procedure, for such occurrences. You reach a point where you have to try to fix it. Improvement is worth the risk of the surgery. You, obviously had a successful surgery and survived. Is your brother still alive?
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Post by rockpickerforever on Aug 2, 2022 18:13:36 GMT -5
Thanks, Tela. Yeah, I think he deserves more out of life! Today he had an ultrasound done on his lower abdomen, to see if they can find what is causing him pain when he eats. He is anemic because he loses blood somewhere in his gut. His previous PC doc had diagnosed gallstones three years ago, but they have no inclination to remove the stones, or his gall bladder. His doctor appointment Friday is a DEXA Scan to check on the progress of his osteoporosis/osteopenia. Yes, he has a lot of issues! But it seems like the doctors are stepping up to the plate now, and looking into the reasons for all these issues. We both think things are looking up , as far as that goes! We are optimistic, not pessimistic. But will still gladly accept your prayers, thoughts, and well wishes! Tell Bob, he certainly has my prayers and well wishes. He's going through a lot. Thanks, Tela. It's funny, but we are both very calm going into this. It also helps that the doctor just told him on Friday that this was going to happen, and everything is just moving so quickly! We don't have time to panic and worry about it, we just move forward. Thank you to all for your prayers, he still has a few more weeks of tests and procedures to prepare for the surgery. jasoninsd, I will give you the date when I know it. |
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Post by hummingbirdstones on Aug 2, 2022 19:46:28 GMT -5
Got to this discussion a little late, so I will say jamesp glad your ribs are feeling better! Jean - Bob's got my prayers going up for him to for everything to get fixed and make him healthy enough to do some hounding! |
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Post by 1dave on Aug 2, 2022 20:41:15 GMT -5
1dave, let's hope it doesn't come to that. But I know it's a risk. So many things that can go wrong. There will be a second heart surgeon present during the procedure, for such occurrences. You reach a point where you have to try to fix it. Improvement is worth the risk of the surgery. You, obviously had a successful surgery and survived. Is your brother still alive? Yes. We were raised in Austin Texas. He lives in Huston. My sister and I moved to cooler climes. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller 
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,607
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Post by jamesp on Aug 3, 2022 5:48:45 GMT -5
Lol, I've been ribbed in so many ways. That one did make me laugh but to bad so sad laughing no longer hurts no mo - nana nana poo poo rockpickerforever rockjunquie and the one that started it all jasoninsd May the fleas of a 1000 camels infest your armpits ! I can't believe they can install an aortic valve via catheter. You'd think they would have to 'crack him open' as Dave put it. Next thing we know they will be doing heart replacements via catheter ! I think they transplanted an extra brain in Dave That is great news and amazing Jean. I agree with Tela, not having that done timely is a game of Russian Roulette. Glad to hear Bob is going for it. Good to hear you are now on Medicare Jean. Welcome to the party ! We have scimped by on crappy health insurance for 30 years. Fortunately we are healthy with the exception of my careless orthopedic injuries that often happen with farm work. Anyway, I'll be praying for both you guys. Odd that two people have had heart issues due to calcium. Us humans do drink a lot of water. Water can be so variable in it's mineral content. It makes one wonder how those large amounts of minerals affect the body. Acid water (ph 6.5) in Atlanta made my digestive system operate much differently then the ph 8 water I would drink in Florida for 2 months every year for 20 years. The difference could be noticed the next day. Bottled water is sold with many different ph levels. The medical field does not seem to focus on this difference. Perhaps it doesn't make much difference, me not so sure. |
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,607
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Post by jamesp on Aug 3, 2022 6:02:52 GMT -5
mohs rockjunquie Implant technology has come a long way. My SIL was a hygienist for years at a fancy dental office(the only way I could afford to go there). They have suggested large scale implant fixes for my upper teeth that are in poor condition. Doctors that specialize in multiple tooth implants perform the task much cheaper recently. That might be a consideration.
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 3, 2022 6:52:33 GMT -5
mohs rockjunquie Implant technology has come a long way. My SIL was a hygienist for years at a fancy dental office(the only way I could afford to go there). They have suggested large scale implant fixes for my upper teeth that are in poor condition. Doctors that specialize in multiple tooth implants perform the task much cheaper recently. That might be a consideration. Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover them. 
eta Ooops! I meant to make that a sad face.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,607
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Post by jamesp on Aug 3, 2022 9:05:11 GMT -5
mohs rockjunquie Implant technology has come a long way. My SIL was a hygienist for years at a fancy dental office(the only way I could afford to go there). They have suggested large scale implant fixes for my upper teeth that are in poor condition. Doctors that specialize in multiple tooth implants perform the task much cheaper recently. That might be a consideration. Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover them. Tela, I had a crowned tooth form a cavity under the crown and forced the tooth to be pulled. They attempted an implant and it failed perhaps due to my nasty smoking habit. They offered to redo it at no cost, I was waiting to see if idiot stick(me) would stop smoking. This was about 5 years ago and the cost for one molar was at least $6000, maybe more. I just got dental insurance and it's cost is reduced somehow due to Medicare discounts. Not sure if insurance covers implants... The first year the insurance reduced cost of a crown by about 15%. The second year and subsequent years it is supposed to cover 50% of the cost. The insurance is about $1000/year for hub and wife. food for thought... |
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Post by rockjunquie on Aug 3, 2022 9:11:07 GMT -5
Unfortunately, my insurance does not cover them. Tela, I had a crowned tooth form a cavity under the crown and forced the tooth to be pulled. They attempted an implant and it failed perhaps due to my nasty smoking habit. They offered to redo it at no cost, I was waiting to see if idiot stick(me) would stop smoking. This was about 5 years ago and the cost for one molar was at least $6000, maybe more. I just got dental insurance and it's cost is reduced somehow due to Medicare discounts. Not sure if insurance covers implants... The first year the insurance reduced cost of a crown by about 15%. The second year and subsequent years it is supposed to cover 50% of the cost. The insurance is about $1000/year for hub and wife. food for thought... Insurance is crappy to deal with. I haven't met my 500 deductible. After 500 out of pocket, I have to pay 20%. My total then is 720 for the root canal and crown. Which seems to me to be a good price.
I had one molar pulled. (I'm only missing that one.) He tried to talk me into a implant. I told him I wouldn't live long enough to justify the cost! LOL! |
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Post by 1dave on Aug 3, 2022 9:42:44 GMT -5
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