Couch 252: Kitties and Hawks

And any plans for your week off? Or just enjoying having nothing in particular to do?

We’re celebrating my stepdad’s birthday today. Going out to lunch. Then the casino. Then later tonight, we’re selling our other car. Least we better. I don’t know why, but H has put it off for well over a month. We’ve had to make an extra payment on the car because of it.

Hey LT-Sorry I asked everyone what they were up to today and then I ran out for an errand which took too long then I had to shower for the party. Yes, probably best if D stays away from those situations for the time being. I never asked-does D know her brain works differently now that she’s slightly older?

Scarlet-I hope you enjoy lunch and the casino. Good luck with the sale of the car.

Hi LT,

I'm so sorry you're going through all this at the moment with D.
For what it's worth, it sounds like you've made a good call on her behalf.

Better than someone taking it the wrong way, and taking it out on her...that whole thing could snowball quite easily, and then...who knows.

Sending hugs, if wanted.

Take care,

Lost

No worries, Jersey--I suppose I did a similar thing, posting, then heading up to my parents, staying there a bit, then going out with H for a while, then talking to my dad for about an hour after he dropped D off! Hope you had fun during your stay at the party.

As for D, I'm not sure if she knows about how her brain works differently--I know we've talked about the ADHD aspect (and anxiety), less so the autism part. I could try asking her about it, see what she says. I mean, she has to realize there are differences between her and the kids in the mainstream classes, I'd think. She's in a very small special ed classroom for English, math, and some other thing that I can never recall the name of, like "Communication and self-advocacy," then with what I keep calling the "general population" (like it's a prison or something) for art, science, social studies, and PE.

Thanks, Lost. I appreciate the words of support and hug. And we also worry that she'll make a comment to the wrong student at school (or hit or kick them) and end up getting physically hurt, especially now that she's in middle school (finishing 7th grade--I know schools go by different labels in the UK).

I tend to worry about kids like her thru high school years. High school is such a hard place to be especially if you are wired differently. My autistic nephew (who is 21 now) calmed down a little when he got to high school so he made it out of there okay. I hope the same for your daughter.

Thanks, Jersey. We're also trying to figure out if her current program is the right fit for her. Problem with high school is that it's a bigger school, likely louder, which is one of her issues (she has headphones to wear, but only wears them sometimes).

Glad it all worked out for your nephew! I think some of this may be hormones right now, so hoping it will calm down--or at least become more predictable--within the next year or less.

First day off and I have a dentist appointment at 10. Hopefully I don’t need a root canal, but I think I probably do.

Ugh, I hope you don't, Jersey.

The thing is that I started my journey towards healthier teeth and gums when I took the new job because I can afford it now. So I went a couple months ago and they did a deep cleaning on my teeth and filled 2 top teeth and ever since then I’ve been experiencing pain and sensitivity on the side of my mouth where they filled the 2 teeth. So I think maybe just regular fillings were not enough. They will re do x rays today to see what’s up. Honestly I may tell them to just extract if it comes down to root canal. Seems like the most affordable and less painful way to deal with whatever is wrong but yeah hopefully I won’t even have to make that decision.

No Root Canal! He just had to add more filling to the teeth he filled the last time!

I'm so glad to hear that, Jersey.

I hope you're able to rest for the day now.

Jersey i only use Ssensodyne toothpaste. I dont know how it works but it does.

I may go buy some and give it a try. I go back to the dentist next month for a regular cleaning. He said today my gums and teeth look great and just continue using my waterpik. I need braces on my bottom teeth but that’s considered cosmetic and around 7 grand out of pocket. I can’t afford that right now.

Glad to hear it, Jersey!

Jersey, I’m glad that only filling was needed! Teeth are so dang expensive.

Just something to think about: it’s usually better and sometimes cheaper to save a tooth. If you remove a tooth there is a lot more healing and it’s more painful. You’ll also probably have to get a bridge so your teeth don’t start moving. And I think you have to clean underneath bridges? That’s like the only procedure I never had. I don’t know if it happens with one tooth, but if you lose a lot of teeth, your jaw will deteriorate over time. I wish I did better with my teeth sooner.

I hear you. I guess if it came down to it-that it would probably be better to save a tooth. I neglected my teeth for a long time. I mean I brush regularly but was never a regular at the dentist until these past few months.

It’s really good that you’re taking care of your teeth. They are such a necessity for not only eating, but socially for your smile.

I was the opposite. Always going to the dentist, but not taking care of my teeth at home. So many procedures. I think it’s been 2 months now since I had my 8 remaining teeth removed. I bet I could have saved some of them, but with only 8 teeth? What would I be left with? 6? 4? Then I’d have to do another surgery down the line. I just got rid of them. People are always shocked when they find out. I don’t know how we could ever afford it, but I need two implants and a connecting denture before my jaw deteriorates. It’s not fun. I should have tried harder.

Hi Couch,

Today has been rough - part two of Steve's anniversary tomorrow.
My body's reaction is ahead of schedule, as sometimes happens.

Posting in my grief groups is hard, because I can't reach the words.

I know we’re not supposed to say much here, but I’m really sad for my state. This is not who we are. I know good people who are scared because of everything. They do not deserve to live in fear.

Hugs, Lost. Will you be able to get some support tomorrow?

It all sounds really awful.

Thanks LT,

I spoke to my contact at the helpline yesterday.
I'm not sure what I need today so far.

My system is in revolt, so I am focusing on the basics ahead of going to work in a bit.

I can collapse later, I guess.

Sucks that this isn't quite a normal therapy week, because whatever I bring on Thursday will be shelved for (at least) two weeks.

The timing is everything.

Take care,

Lost