It Is Raining Again

After the x-rays were taken, the hygienist began to look at them. I heard an "oh!" and then an "I'll be right back". After a few minutes, she came back to the room and the dentist came in right behind her. He looked at the x-rays. "Hmmmm..." he said, and looked at Lance and I. He then put on his gloves and mask and came over to the chair. He asked Lance to open his mouth and began the exam.

We were there for a cleaning. We needed to get in before his dental coverage ran out. Michigan cut both dental and vision and we were scrambling to get the exams in before the cuts took place.

The dentist asked when his last cleaning was done. I had to admit, with a bit of embarrassment, that it was about eight months earlier with a dentist that came into his school. Medicaid patients don't have much of a choice when it comes to who provides care and most are not very good, so we were not always good about having his teeth cleaned exactly every six months. But, we have always had great reports and told that Lance's teeth were in good shape. A few fillings now and again, but never the less, good.

He told us there were no cavities. Great I thought. He then pointed out on the x-rays, that the bone around Lance's teeth were beginning to wear away, he had gum disease. He then said that Lance's medicaid insurance will not cover it. So now we had to pay for the expensive deep root cleaning, about $1000.00. Geesh... why didn't the other dentists find the problem before it got this bad? We made the necessary appointment and left.

A week later we returned knowing that Lance will need nitrous oxide to relax and Novocain for his entire mouth. Not three minutes after I left the room, the assistant came to get me. I went back to see the dentist who was very agitated, he began his tirade. "He is moving too much!" and he began to undulate in exaggerated movements. "I can't work on anyone like this!" as he got more frantic... "The instruments are too sharp!" his voice getting louder and more anxious, "and besides, he is disab..." and that's when he caught himself. He was discriminating against my son because of his disability. He quieted down and saw that I had turned red. Very quietly I told Lance to get out of the chair. It was then that the dentist patronizingly suggested that I take Lance to someone who could put him to sleep and do the procedure. We walked out of the office and I began a lengthy search to find a dentist who works specifically on people who have special needs.

I did find one (he is great!!!) and after a consultation a few days ago, it was decided that Lance will have this procedure done in the hospital. While there, the specialist may need to do some gum surgery and will also do any other dental work that he may need, including the cleaning. Medicaid will not cover any of this (government health care for you) so it will be $2000.00 to $4000.00 for the dentist's work alone, that does not include the hospital care.

Sigh...

Last night, Lance's PT told me that his ankles are not getting stronger and after a year of working and trying to strengthen them, she is recommending that he see and Orthopedist and get some braces to help stabilize them.

When it rains, it pours.

I am so glad that He is in control and I can come to Him when I am overwhelmed.

The Art of Flowers

Doesn't God have the most amazing touch when it comes to painting? I have been absolutely in love with the flowers of the summer of 2009. They have been breathtaking in every park we have visited this year. It got to be that whenever Lisa and I would walk by a garden, Emma would say, "That's all you two ever do is look and talk about flowers!" Here are few pictures of some of the flowers and foliage we saw.

FIRE!

Okay, there wasn't a fire at all, but Carley, a young woman who works for Lance, (actually he has three...lucky guy) has a boyfriend who is a firefighter. He said the firehouse was quiet all day and they thought it would be fun for Lance to visit and look around. Of course, Lance had only been there a short time, when a call came in and everyone had to jump into action. Well being the great guys that they are, they played it up big for Lance and honked every horn and put on every siren as they left the firehouse. He loved it! The conciliation prize for not being able to stay at the station too long? He and Carley stopped at Little Cesar's and brought home pizza.

Lance in Carley's boyfriend's gear.

Lance in the ladder truck. He asked if he could drive it! Yea, right...

Carley and Lance eating pizza.

South Carolina

Lance and I spent a wonderful time with my girls and son-in-law in Charleston a couple of weeks ago.

Ahhhh...the smell of the ocean, the beautiful sailboats, the bustle of the city. I love Charleston!

Angela, Lance and I went to the aquarium one morning. Brigette works and attends school downtown, so she was very happy to meet us for lunch in one of the many little restaurants there. (Especially when mom pays, because the cost of school is outrageous!) It was a great day!

We also spent a few days at the beach. Even though the temps were very high, there was always a gorgeous breeze blowing. Lance loved walking and drawing in the sand, as well as, playing with the little sand crabs.

Lance and I went to the local county park to hike a bit, it is a beautiful place with lots of woods and boardwalks over the marsh. We ended up leaving not too long after we arrived because of the attack of killer mosquitoes. I really thought that at one point we were going to be lifted up and taken their hideout to be interrogated.

The week ended by spending some time visiting with David's mom and dad. It had been way too long since we saw them. They too, came to spend some time with the kids over the fourth of July holiday. David barbecued and Angela set a lovely table. I, of course, forgot to pull out my camera and get a few pics, but the memories will always be with me.

The only down side of the whole visit was Oliver (our dog) getting kennel cough. I bet you didn't know that even if a dog is vaccinated, they can still get kennel cough. Go figure.

Lance and I are now counting the days until December when we will be returning to Charleston. Brigette will be graduating from the College of Charleston!! Yea Brig!!!

Lovely Parks

We have had the opportunity to visit some lovely parks over the last month or so. Here are a few pictures of several of these parks, in Charlotte as well as here at home.

Amazing Summer

Family retreat, over two weeks in North and South Carolina visiting my girls, sisters, nieces and nephew, as well as a few very good friends. One week with my niece Emma up here with us and this week my sister and other niece Lily visiting. It has been an amazing summer so far!

We have done so much and have had some greats times even with the lousy Michigan summer weather.

Goofy kids!

Frosties at a Wendy's in Charlotte

We have been playing and have had big times at many parks, both in the Carolinas and Michigan. Next week I will be back in my quiet, stay at home mode, and will post more pictures.

Family and Heat

I have been down south visiting my family.  What is it about being with family...?  Love, that's what it is.   There is nothing better than family.  

I spent some time with Lisa and the girls and Rhonda and Andrew in North Carolina.  The last several days, I have been in Charleston, SC with my girls.  Yesterday, we went to the beach for a while.  It was beautiful!  Lance enjoyed watching the little sand crabs running this way and that, also he had fun wading in the serf.  Today, we went to the Aquarium and then to lunch with Angela and Brigette at a little bakery.  Excellent food, by the way!  

Now, I am taking a moment break from the heat (95 degrees, yesterday over 100) and thought I would pop on the blog to let you know what was happening.  

I have been taking some pics but forgot to bring the USB plug, so they will have to be posted when we return.  I think I have the best hubs in the world...he told me to stay as long as I need since there isn't much going on at home right now.  I have several friends I want to see when we go back to Charlotte and he wanted to make sure that I get the time I need to visit them.  

I love family!