Because of the tooth extraction and Enbrel's affect on the immune system we will go to Lake Charles tomorrow which is 5 weeks. The commented advice on the affect of other physical problems may hold water on Joyce. Since her extraction and subsequent intake of antibiotics she has shown a significant change for the better. Even this fifth week hasn't slowed her up at all. I am beginning to wonder if even longer intervals may be better. I will discuss this with Dr. Ryder tomorrow.
Last Friday was a big day. At long last we were able to install her new bridge on her new implants. In addition the dentist replaced a crown that had come loose and repaired the filling on the tooth in front of the extraction. Joyce had to be put under because she isn't the most cooperative patient in the chair. All went well and they also cleaned her teeth.
On Saturday she showed up with another loose crown. I wrapped it up and set it aside and then scheduled a visit first thing this morning to recement it. All was going well as I was dressing this morning until I couldn't find the crown where I had left it. Then I remembered that the maid was here yesterday and thought out loud OH S... Well I spent 40 minutes going through trash until I finally found it. I fully understand the jokes on CSI etc about going through trash. Next time I will put it in a small ziploc bag and not a tissue. It is a lesson I won't soon forget. At least I found it and the dentist recemented it this morning. I can't remember having a more depressing feeling than when I realized it was in the trash.
Joyce's eating and the amount of fluids she drinks have increased dramtically since the extraction and also she has resumed her almost incessant walking. It is hard to keep her sitting anywhere. This is a really good thing. Until next time ... PAL
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
FRAILTY IS UNAVOIDABLE
Joyce is doing fine and so far I haven't seen a difference going to a four week cycle between injections. I am also holding up very well.
I didn't realize until this week how frail and delicate our health is. We feel things in our bodies and react to that by either self treating or going to a doctor and letting he or she treat you. The key to maintaining good health is telling your doctor the whole truth about your condition. Wednesday night I put Joyce to bed as I usually do and she seemed fine. Slightly after 1 AM I got her up to change her depends and I was shocked to see her jaw swollen. It had popped out in just 6 hours. Thinking back over the last few days I couldn't remember anything that would have suggested a tooth problem. This is where aphasia, the lack of ability to communicate, is most dangerous. First thing in the morning I took her to our regular dentist who said she had cellulitis and needed to be treated by an oral surgeon right away. They called one and got me in right away. Joyce will not cooperate using only a local deadening so they had to put her under to remove the infected tooth as well as give her some initial antibiotics. She seems to have weathered the ordeal ok except that the swelling hasn't gone down yet. I am giving her antibiotics for a week orally.
After talking to Dr Ryder we decided to postpone next weeks injection a week since enbrel suppresses the immune system. Joyce should be fully healed by then.
By the way, getting x-rays of Joyce while she is awake brought on a whole new set of challenges for the Oral Surgeon staff. It took three techs and myself to get it done and it took three tries. Needless to say this wiped out everything I had planned to do thursday. Fortunately Joyce slept very well last night.
PAL
I didn't realize until this week how frail and delicate our health is. We feel things in our bodies and react to that by either self treating or going to a doctor and letting he or she treat you. The key to maintaining good health is telling your doctor the whole truth about your condition. Wednesday night I put Joyce to bed as I usually do and she seemed fine. Slightly after 1 AM I got her up to change her depends and I was shocked to see her jaw swollen. It had popped out in just 6 hours. Thinking back over the last few days I couldn't remember anything that would have suggested a tooth problem. This is where aphasia, the lack of ability to communicate, is most dangerous. First thing in the morning I took her to our regular dentist who said she had cellulitis and needed to be treated by an oral surgeon right away. They called one and got me in right away. Joyce will not cooperate using only a local deadening so they had to put her under to remove the infected tooth as well as give her some initial antibiotics. She seems to have weathered the ordeal ok except that the swelling hasn't gone down yet. I am giving her antibiotics for a week orally.
After talking to Dr Ryder we decided to postpone next weeks injection a week since enbrel suppresses the immune system. Joyce should be fully healed by then.
By the way, getting x-rays of Joyce while she is awake brought on a whole new set of challenges for the Oral Surgeon staff. It took three techs and myself to get it done and it took three tries. Needless to say this wiped out everything I had planned to do thursday. Fortunately Joyce slept very well last night.
PAL
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