Sebastian is STILL getting dentures... 2021!

So, for those of you who haven't been following along closely, on February 8th of this year I was scheduled to have a number of my teeth extracted in preparation for getting top dentures and a bottom partial plate. I've had over 50 fillings (and braces!) over the years, but between chemo, long term high dose steroids, extensive decalcification and malnutrition from 15 years of ulcerative colitis, and never having dental insurance or the financial capacity to regularly go to the dentist I guess my teeth just didnt stand a chance. (I'm sure my unquenchable love for sour candy didn't help, 

 We had to cancel that appointment in order to biopsy a growth on my nose... Which turned out to be the exceedingly rare malignancy known as sebaceous carcinoma. 10 months, 3 surgeries, 120 sessions of radiation, and more than $15,000 in out of pocket expenses later, we've found out that because of the delays, the decay has advanced to the point that the bottom teeth are also beyond saving. 

This means that we will remove all 12 of my remaining teeth sometime in early January. They'll have a full set of temporary dentures for me then, but I'll have to stay in the city to be close to the hospital for about 10 days as there will be 3+ further fittings over that time, and each appointment will require a covid test within 48 hrs... And then hopefully in the spring once everything has healed we will decide if implanting any screws to help mount the dentures will be helpful (and I will likely need a new, refitted pair then anyways). I'll be happy just to have all the half rotted teeth gone, honestly!

I'm really hoping to spend the intervening time focusing on my writing and art, but to be honest I'm still quite tired, mentally and emotionally as well as physically from this whole year, as I'm sure everyone is, so I am trying not to be too hard on myself and just focus on resting and rejuvenating, whatever form that takes for me in the moment. Easier said than done, of course, especially when even looking in the mirror is always a reminder of... Everything, right? 

Anyways! The expenses are plentiful and the funds are not...so anything you can contribute makes it possible for me to focus on getting healthy... Which is also easier said than done, haha!

Light and love,