[wi_fighter]

Ugh, I hate the Friday's the kids go to their dad's for his week. All of a sudden everything is quiet and it's just me. No phones, no TV all day, no kids running in and out. You'd think it would be a relief, the quiet, but it's not. It just gives me a chance to sit here with no one to interrupt my thoughts, and I start dwelling on all the crap - the worst of which right now is that I'm having constant lower jaw discomfort and can't afford a dentist.

I'm so frustrated right now, I can't stand it.

honey, hang in there. i'm so sorry about the jaw ache. that sucks, big time. have you tried a hot compress? that might help. if i was there, i make the tried and true sour cream cookies, mashing them in milk, and tea and we'd rock out on the front porch.......xoxo pat

A lot of people here got your back...we won't let you slide too far.

Petunia

[Parker10]

Hang in there ! I know its hard when its too quiet - so how about digging out your favorite oldies but goodies tapes or cassettes, and cranking them up real loud? Thats what I do when I need a distraction (and I pray no one is peeking in windows at me dancing around doing the Funky Chicken , etc !!!! Spoiling yourself with long bubble baths is nice too - especially when no one is gonna bang on the door hollaring "I GOTTA GO"!!!!!!!!

Sorry about the jaw ache - sure its a tooth and not from gritting your teeth or something? I HATE dentists, they were put here to torture people - but necessary at the same time I suppose.

We are here for you - as Petunia said - we wont be letting u slide far !

[gardenergirl]

I like those ideas, Parker!

Alone time can be very lonely, but there are times I just crave it.

Shirley, I hope you find relief from your jaw pain, and I hope you find some enjoyment from your time alone. Run around in your underwear, slide along the floor in your socks, jump on the bed....whatever.

Take care,
gg

[wi_fighter]

So far I've fallen asleep on the couch and had my cat cuddle up to me the entire night. (The cat who's been hiding out upstairs for the last 13 months). It was almost annoying but then I reminded myself that I've missed her company terribly and to just enjoy it. Shadow the shadow is back. Yay!

Today I went shopping unimpeded and spent almost 4 hours in Goodwill. How in the heck did that happen?! I've done some major decluttering lately and most of my clothes got pitched, so I have to restock. (I really have to stop with the retail therapy, even if it is thrift shopping. But I got some stylish Ralph Lauren, Lucky, and Gap jeans for a total of $15.50. How could I pass up that kind of a bargain?! Come on. ). I even found two books on parenting that should come in handy and one on learning to love yourself.

Friday is the worst. Once I get through Friday night I'm usually OK. On Thursday night I wish I could have some peace, but 24 hours later I wish they didn't have to leave.

[happy_bunny]

I feel the same way when im alone, and i get scared if no one is around. But i dont really know what to say about the jaw ache except that i hope you can get that better.

[Hope4me2]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{[w1_fighter}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
thinking of you

[wi_fighter]

I finally broke down and made a dentist appointment. They got me in on Monday already. I don't hate going to the dentist, I hate the dentist BILL. I'm pretty sure I'm going to need some root canals. I have a broken crown, a missing tooth, severe gum erosion on the tooth next to the missing one, I think I have fractures in some fillings because my teeth just all around ache. It's not a muscle pain like from teeth clenching. It's deep in the teeth.

I think I need to run around with a tin can this weekend and have a personal fund raiser. Lack of money always makes my depression worse.

i'll fly up and we'll do a tin cup money raiser!

[wi_fighter]

Sounds like a plan.

Oh, I'm relieved that you are getting your teeth taken care of. I was worried about you!
Maybe the dentist can put you on a payment plan--with low monthly payments or something? Gee, I sure hope it can be worked out to be the least financially painful for you-- what ever that may be.

And good luck Monday-- let us know how it goes- K??

thinking of you,
Mandy

[vanna123]

I live in NY. the first time I saw a dentist was when i was 34 years old and my teeth needed some work by then.
My dentist hooked me up with a company called norwest financial who gave me an interest free dental loan.
THE CATCH --- they send you other checks in the mail soon after you get the loan for 25% interest if you cash them in and they consolidate it with your dental loan making it no longer no interest.
see if Norwest is available to you and remember just don't cash or accept any other loan offers from them. hope it works.

[wi_fighter]

I told my kids tonight that I have a dentist appointment. My son's reply was "geez mom, you're going to put us in the poor house." Nice, now I'm feeling guilty again. My credit is maxed out, I can't afford any more credit if they'll even give it to me. I don't know why I'm even going. I can't afford $100, let alone thousands.

[gardenergirl]

((((wi-fighter))))

Dental work is a drag and expensive, but it's worth it.

I hope you're feeling better soon.
gg

[Artist]

A lot of what I hear is your depression talking. I know because I also suffer with depression. Are you seeing a therapist? I hope so.
Hang in there and try to be positive. Get your teeth done they can be the root problem of a lot of other ailments.

[seeker1950]

WI, I am feeling for you...on many levels.
I'm glad you are going to the dentist. When we have physical pain, it increases our depression...I know this from experience. I had a root canal a couple of years ago, and it was $500, so I know how you feel about the expense, but it will be worth it to get out of pain, if that is indeed what you need. Jaw pain can also be from bite problems, as I'm sure you already know. I had such poor dental care as a child growing up in the coalfields of WV, only going to the dentist to have rotten teeth pulled. Consequently, I am missing some major back jaw teeth, and resulting in bite problems. Throughout may unhappy marriage, I asked my husband to help me get braces to correct it, but he refused. I finally got myself braces when I returned to working and supporting myself at 41. I was still married at the time. Now at 54, I still wear the dental retainer nightly, and no longer have bite or jaw problems.
The other subject...ALONE....me too! I try to embrace the quiet and solitude, rather than obsessing on my loneliness. Yes, I do find myself lonely, but it is also freedom from accommodating attempts at dysfunctional relationships!
Would you qualify for any type of government financial assistance, WI? I ask because I know they help with dental care. Whatever your financial situation, I applaud you for getting attention to your dental needs.
Healing thoughts,
Seeker "Patty"

[wi_fighter]

Got back from the dentist a while ago. I can't say I'm going to be feeling better any time soon. He wants to do $6335 worth of work. No root canals needed, but I need 6 crowns, 7 sealants, and a frenulectomy. He'd like to replace my current bridge eventually - that would be another $2800.

Yeah, I just happen to have $9000 laying around. NOT!

[seeker1950]

OMG, WI!!!! What are you going to do about the dentist's suggestions?
One idea I've heard about is going to the Univ. dental school, where costs are greatly reduced because of students practicing on you...I don't know if I'd have the nerve to do it, but it's a thought. I think my daughter, who is in same position as you , did that recently.
Seeker

whoa! you beat my estimate.....i'm as bummed out as you are. hope things look up. don't worry about what your son said. he's a teenager and they say dumb things........... xoxox pat