Health Recovery Journey

Hello Everyone.  I had some dental procedures done in mid-December prior to go to Sanibel Island.  On the plane I had a feeling of electrical charges running up my face and suffered quite a bit on vacation.  Upon returning to South Dakota to -8 degree temperatures I felt like something in my face “cracked”.  I attributed it to the change in climate and treated myself in many homeopathic ways as I’m not a big fan of going to the Doctor especially during an influenza breakout.  Had too much pain & swelling by Jan 5 and ended up there anyway with a diagnosis of severe sinus and ear infection.  Antibiotics & steroids seemed to tame things down for a bit only to feel as if I had c-diff, another serious condition.  Ended up back at the Doctor to get another battery of testing done, only for everything to come back negative, even though I was getting weaker by the day.

About 10 days ago I woke up with the side of my face hurting.  By mid-day, I couldn’t tell where the pain was coming from because it had radiated into all parts of my face.  Again tried to calm things down in numerous ways.  Wasn’t happening.  Ended up in ER.  Fortunately, I had a good Dr. that had a CAT scan run on me immediately that showed Acute Chronic Apical Abscess.  In other words, I had a very serious infection that was caused by Orthodontic reasons that spanned from the top of my skull to my collar bone. Dr. informed me that if I hadn’t of arrived in ER when I did that I “might not have ever arrived”.  IV antibiotics, anti-nausea meds, pain meds, anti-inflammatory meds and CT copy for dentist when I was released. Thank goodness I made it there before it had crossed the brain barrier or I wouldn’t be here to write this.  Did find out that this was the cause of my intestinal issues.  Poison draining into my system.

Found out that because of this severe infection all of my upper teeth have been affected and all of the nerves are either dead or dying causing more infection.  They all have to be removed.  This process started this week after the cellulitis had calmed down enough to get into my mouth.   More than likely I will have to have all the bottom teeth removed also so this doesn’t turn into a life threatening situation again.  Doesn’t always pay off to remain strong.

With my disability I do have some medical insurance that helps with Dr. visits, hospitalization, ER, and medication but unfortunately there is no dental coverage at all.

In the past when I have contributed to these kind of support groups I always felt it was for very dire circumstances so I hesitated to do this, but have come to realize this is a very dire circumstance in my life.  I expected at some time in my life that I might have to be looking at possibly getting dentures, but I never dreamed that it would come to me like it did 2 days ago; it took 9 injections in one site & 6 in another one just to get the area numb enough to remove the teeth because of the infection pushing out the anesthesia. Extremely serious situation.  I ask that you help in any way that you are able and I sincerely appreciate with the greatest of gratitude your generosity for holding me up on this journey.  Thank you.  Laura