An Adjustment, A Conference... And A Lineup

We headed of for Los Algodones, Mexico at 8:00 AM precisely for my 11:00 AM appointment. We made it to the office at 10:30 with a little time to spare. I was not happy with my partial plates and hoped they could adjust them to fit better. Well, the denturist looked at them, the dentist looked at them and they both decided they fit as well as they could ever be expected to. They sent them out for some grinding down and shaping and when they returned they did not feel any better. I simply hate the f*&%#g things and will not be happy with them. Period.

The main job of the upper and lower partial is to fill in a two tooth on each side space at the back of my mouth where I have not had teeth for many years. I am quite used to this empty space and have learned to chew just fine without those teeth. In my mind they are not necessary and are certainly not worth the trouble of carrying two partial plates around in my mouth thank you very much.

The other job the upper one does is to fill the gap where my right eye tooth used to be before it broke off at the gumline and was extracted. They could not include this tooth in the bridge they built because it would have made the bridge to long (large) so they put it on the partial. The solution is a single implant which cannot be considered until the extraction has had at least 3 - 4 months to heal.If at that time I still want it, I need an MRI of the area for $150 to make sure the jaw structure is strong enough for it. If it is they will do the implant for $900. Then I wait for six months for all this to heal and then get the implant crown for $400. Then I am done. Like they told me, I have to wait for the implant and maybe I will get used to the partials. Don't hold your breath!

By now ir was about 1:30 PM and the lineup to get back to the US was about two blocks long! The border guys are trying to impress their new boss and are making it difficult to cross the border! It took us two hours to get to the front and I then fully expected the agent to say, "Aren't you the guy who called Trump an asshole on Facebook?" I am not sure how I would have answered that and thankfully he did not ask it. He simply asked what I was bringing across and grinned when I pointed to my teeth and waved us through. Phew! Made it again!

A Visit From Wandering Mike!

We got an email last week from our American lawyer friend Mike who used to Blog as "Wandering Mike". He would be driving by and would we be available for a visit? Well, of course we would! We always enjoy a visit from Mike and since he suffered some recent health issues, we were very anxious to catch up with him and get the latest reports.

Sure enough a couple of days ago we got an email saying he was registered in a nearby hotel and would be over to see us. We had a great visit with Mike, eventually inviting our neighbors Bill and Dee over for a drink and to meet him. Conversation turned a little "left" among a group of people of similar political opinions. Later on, Norma, Mike and I headed down the road to a local steakhouse for dinner. It was a great time and it was very dark and raining when we got home.

Mike dropped in for coffee the next morning before heading off towards Riverside, California where he has an appointment this week. It is always nice to see Mike who actually made his way up to our house in Canada last summer. For those who know him, he is doing well and is dealing with the effects of his rheumatoid arthritis.  He is managing it with a herbal salve and diet but has his bad days which is why he gave himself so much time to drive from Alpine, Texas to Riverside. We were very happy to keep him occupied for one of his travel days!

Inauguration Day With A Difference

I can't say I am watching it but it is on in the background and Norma is sort of watching it. It is a sad occasion and the country will not benefit from this President.

In stark contrast I remember Obama's first Inauguration with much better memories. We were in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, an area called The Mexican Riviera (not that it bears any similarity to the Real Riviera.

We were in a large RV park and had Starchoice set up. Many of our neighbors were Americans and very few had TV as none of the American satellite systems reach that far south. We put out a general invitation for anyone to come join us and soon the RV started filling up until all the seats were taken and the last three or four people brought in folding chairs.

It was a happy occasion with what seemed like everyone very proud of America's pick for President.  Everyone had something positive to say and many tears of pride were shed. One American said he wished that his parents had lived to see this day, that they would be very proud.

This Inauguration, I do not think I have heard that word, "proud" mentioned even once by anyone in reference to the President Elect. In reference to the process maybe, but not the man. It is a sad occasion.

He is a Bull In A China Shop and I am holding my breath in hopes that he does not break anything important before he finds the back door and gets out.

Visit from Paula!

Paula, our friend and neighbor from the RV park in Mesa dropped in on her way back from Quartzsite yesterday. She was just in time for Happy Hour and got to meet some of our neighbors, two of whom she already knew. We had a bite to eat and as it was getting late she decided to take advantage of our couch for the night. She has had a trying winter with some medical issues (now in the past) so it was good to catch up with her life!

Martin Luther King Day and John Lewis

"Stand Up, Speak Up, and Speak Out!"

Some piece of crap who does not deserve to have his name mentioned here said this about Civil Rights icon, John Lewis, “All talk, talk, talk — no action or results. Sad!”. John Lewis who was instrumental in bringing about The Civil Rights Act as well as The Voting Rights Act deserves far better. It is time to let our voices be heard. Not by simply typing away on social media although this is important as well, but also by speaking out in public. It is time to "Stand Up, Speak Up, and Speak Out!" Let's celebrate Martin Luther King Day by helping right this wrong. We have been called to action!

Purdy, eh?

Yes, I know I need a shave. One crisis at a time, OK? I am going for the 90's Don Johnson's "Miami Vice" look.

Back In Hope

We drove home from Algodones, MX yesterday. After a stop at Silly Al's Pizza in Quartzsite we got home at about 3:00, just in time for Happy Hour at Bill and Dee's, After that it was an early night for me as I was physically and mentally drained after the dental ordeal.

This morning I forced myself to remove the partials and found they were very hard to remove! They have a death grip on the bases of the surrounding teeth and it took a few minutes of pulling, prying and pain to get them out. I will probably get better at it and I am sure it will become easier after the swelling goes down and my black eye fades. When I went in yesterday for the final fitting one of the young assistants told me in her best English that I looked like I had gone a few rounds with Mike Tyson. I told her that Dr, Jesus should have been a prize fighter as he sure put me on the canvas. She had a very good laugh about this and rushed out to tell her co-workers.

Test Driving My New Teeth

They test fit, adjusted, fit again, adjusted again and eventually cemented in my new teeth. They then took even more impressions, saying they were for the two partial plates, I am not sold on these partial plates. One has only one tooth on it to replace the missing right eye tooth that for some reason could not be included in the bridge up there. The other is to give me chewing molars on the lower right side.

I have not had any chewing surface back there for two years now and have been managing quite well without them. I hate the feeling of the huge chunk of plastic in my mouth and seriously doubt I will be using these very often. The other one tooth partial is, I am sure, purely cosmetic. Norma says no, it is to keep the shape of my mouth and jaw. I will have that conversation with them at the final fitting tomorrow.

Anyway! I have all the rest of my teeth cemented in and functioning. To celebrate we stopped at the hotel restaurant on the way back and I ordered cheese enchiladas. They work! I can eat! The larger bridge on the left is a little sensitive to pressure right now but that will soon disappear as the area is still recovering from Tuesday's root canals,

Anyway, so far I am very happy! They feel good, work good and look good! The jury is still out on whether the partials will get used. In any case, we will be back at the motorhome in Hope, AZ tomorrow.

Back In The Chair

I knew I had two extractions to be done but I thought they were done in that seven hour marathon session on Tuesday. Not so! I went in this morning and they pulled the roots of the two broken off eye teeth! One came out easily but the other broke in half and hurt like hell even after five needles! Now I wait back in the hotel room for 1 1/2 hours and go back. Hopefully for my new teeth.

I hate this!

No Facebook Here And A Slight Hiccup.

The Hacienda Los Algodones has blocked Facebook on their otherwise excellent free WIFI. I just want to thank my friend Rae for posting on FB for me, reminding all of you to check the Blog.

This morning I go in for the permanent attachment of my new teeth but I am having some minor swelling in one of the roots that heads up towards the left sinus. I don't know that this will mean, it may delay the attachment as no one wants any infection sealed in. Fingers crossed!