Yep, twice a year for me, too. Going for that early April.

 

I have an appointment Tuesday for a cleaning as well. But Monday morning I have to call to get a time to see the dentist. Last night, in the middle of a party at our home, my back tooth broke and I lost a quarter of it. It had been hurting a lot when I bit down on something hard, like a seed, and I was going to ask about it Tuesday. Now I know it was cracked. Think I'm looking at a crown now.

 

While teeth problems are never a good thing at leat the timing is good.

 

This ultimately is not teeth related, but since it started out there, I will post yesterday's adventure here.

Wed and Thurs could hardly open my mouth to eat on right side. Then Fri AM my right cheek was swollen up. Looked like a deformed chipmunk. Still painful to open mouth too much, so thought it might be tooth related. Called dentist but he was out Fri. Decided to (not) grin and bear it until Mon. Sat decided not to wait. Went to hospital immediate (urgent) care place. PA there says she thinks it is TMJ (jaw joint thing), but wants to do a blood test to be certain it is not giant cell arteritis, a condition that could cause blindness in my right eye! Says results of that should be ready today. Three hours later she calls with the results and says she does not like what she sees and to go to the ER! again.

ER nurses and doc say they do not think it is the giant cell thing. TMJ is still in the running. Doc has me get a CT of my head. Turns out I have a large cyst in my right sinus cavity. So I apparently to not have the dreaded giant cell thing or TMJ. Whew...this is better than those two. Anyhoo, to make a long story short, I am getting antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory for the cyst and need to see an ENT doc fairly soon. So I guess it was worth it to go to the ER to ultimately solve the problem, assuming it is. Another $10K well spent.

 

Wow, sorry to hear about your "adventure," Deb.

Hopefully, it is something that can be easily taken care of.

I'm sure that you won't delay in seeing an ENT doctor as soon as possible.

Do you mean that you spent $10K, or was it perhaps only $1K? Copays for CT scan and ER?

 

Looking for the silver lining Deb, At least it happened now and not when you're flying to Europe in a few weeks.
Flying and bad sinuses are a really bad and unpleasant combo.
That can put you on yours knees in the wink of an eye.

 

10k Holy sheeeet !!

 

Get well soon,Deb.

 

Thanks...it probably is not $10K, but I bet it is not far off. I am always astounded at the cost of medical treatment. My recent surgery and followup were big numbers. I am fortunate to have excellent insurance and do not pay much of the bill at all. I will check the total cost for yesterday and report back. The DC area has some of the highest medical costs in the US. Know why? Many have insurance that can pay.

 

And yes, I am thinking about that trip in more ways than one. TBD what happens. Like Gene, I would be very sorry not to be able to go.