The Second Assault
Back in 1951, my father was 40 years old, with teeth like chalk. He drank too much and indulged in too many sweets. Predictably, he had so many cavities that his teeth were falling out. In those days, reparative work in dentistry was not what it is today, and he had what were left of his teeth ripped out and started wearing a full set of dentures.
As luck would have it, I inherited his soft teeth, and have had to undergo the same amount of reparative work in my own mouth. And for similar reasons. But dentistry has made remarkable strides in the last generation, and dentures are actually frowned upon now, not unless you are indigent. And, of course, they are the cheapest solution, but dentists want to cash in on all the new ways to save teeth: crowns, bridges, gum grafts, implants. I’ve had them all.
So when I got cancer, I knew that a common side effect to chemotherapy would be mouth sores and infections, along with possible damage to my existing teeth. This has happened to me. I usually wear a brace on the few lower teeth I have in order to protect them while I eat. And lately, I’ve become remiss in wearing it. I woke up this morning and felt one of them looser than before. So I quickly put the brace back in place and vowed to do no more chewing, just eat soft foods for the duration. This will not be hard for me: remember that I’m indulging in spaghetti and mashed potatoes, cake and ice cream lately. I’ve lost too much weight and really need to go in the other direction. Silver lining? You bet, and I’m relishing it!
To make this long story short, I will probably lose that tooth before I end my chemotherapy infusions. Hence—the second assault. More time spent in the dentist’s chair, a lot more money enriching my dentist from the cost of implants and whatever else I may need. It goes with the territory and cancer treatment.
The rest of my skeleton needs to be coddled as well, especially now. I have full-blown osteoporosis already, and I cannot afford to fall down again. But haven’t I said that before? J
If a smashed upper humerus and my arm in a sling for two months, with all the pain that accompanies it—and in the midst of all my cancer treatments—hasn’t taught this student a hard lesson about stairs and lights and slowing down…well, I do hope I continue to remain teachable. I have been duly humbled by this latest accident. And I’m hoping for a complete recovery in my arm, after I undergo much physical therapy.
But there are silver linings everywhere in life, even with cancer. I’ve written about them often in these twenty-two diary entries. The more I feel the darkness approaching me, the more I turn toward the light. It’s blinding sometimes!