My Year Of Living Toothlessly...

Long time no post, I know.

But there isn't much to say when you are just waiting.......

Its just over 4 months since I got home and its just under 4 until I go back and actually get my teeth!!!

Well, its 118 days to be exact....118 and counting.

I suppose no news is good news or its boring. And yes its good and hence boring......

Nothing at all has gone wrong except a slight freak out when an abutment screw fell out and I swallowed it. The freaking was short, like 6 hours or so, but intense. The screw loss was an expected possibilty. All was well by bedtime.

Once the stitches came out and I decided not to wear the yucky temporary dentures I've pretty much owned my gummy mouth. A mouth with no teeth is FAR less inhibiting than one with bad teeth. I seriously do not give a shit.  Granted, I am lucky it is not immediately obvious that I am without dentition and if people notice and wonder but are too embarrassed to ask me about it I don't care, I don't feel self conscious. I feel better about my appearance now than I did before and that's what counts, not what other people think.

So no "OVERSEAS SURGERY HORROR STORY" headlines here.

NOT ONE THING HAS GONE WRONG!!!!!!

There are certainly some limitations mostly abut food. I can eat lots of things, chicken, rice, pasta, mince, vegies. I have to cut EVERYTHING I eat into bite size pieces. If I can cut it and it is softish I can gum it. I still want a hamburger, BAD. Sure I can cut one up and give it a go with a knife and fork but its not the same and I am desperate to TAKE A BITE OF SOMETHING!!!!!!

In terms of my general health I am a different woman. I have been sick a couple of times. Thats right, a couple of times in 4 months! I used to be sick MULTPLE TIMES EVERY SINGLE DAY. My teeth were making me sooooooooooooooo much sicker than any other illness that I may have. I have gained almost 12kgs!!!!!!! I now weigh a little over 64kg! I was 51kg in December last year and about 53kg when I landed in Thailand. 

I am totally free of pain medication, anxiety pills and other such medication and I am HAPPY! Happier than I have been in years.

There really is nothing to say other than, 

Act One wowed the crowd, we are now in the extended intermission, full of anticipation for Act Two....

The Tooth Fairy Does Prime Time TV?!?!

I've done radio.

I've done a magazine.

Now I've done TV, yes that's right Ladies and Gents. TELEVISION!!!!! How cool is that?

Channel 9's A Current Affair contacted Global Health Travel, they wanted to do a story about travelling overseas for medical care, not cosmetic surgery, so now a couple of other patients and I have been interviewed on camera for a story airing tomorrow night!

Now remember people, I'm only half way through my treatment. I have NO TEETH, I've decided to not wear the denture, rather keep them as a souvenir. So agreeing to appear on a national prime time television broadcast is not an easy decision to make. I did it because I want people to know that its no more risky than having treatment in Australia and far more affordable. I also want the government to either subsidise dental care or regulate pricing in the dental industry so that desperate Australians don't feel they have no option but to travel to a foreign country to get help.

So all that being said, the experience of being interviewed on TV was AWESOME!!!!

I had agreed to meet the journalist and camera crew in the Botanical Gardens at 4.30pm but in typical Brisbane style it was raining, a single phone call has us a room at the Samford Plaza Hotel, the Samford is the best hotel in Brisbane....

I meet the journalist, Christina, and her team. Then we are shown to the room. Now when I say room, I mean "suite" and when I say "suite" I mean THE BEST FREAKING SUITE IN BRISBANE! It was called "The Samford Suite" people like Lady Gaga, Nicole Kidman, Robyn Willams, Cameron Diaz and Bono stayed in it....OH MY GOD!!!!!!! I couldn't stop thinking how cool it was that I was in a suite that SUPER STARS had been in....

The suite was HUGE, as big as a house! It had a massive terrace with a fireplace, full kitchen and bar, it even had A GRAND PIANO!!!!!

So, I did what any good non celebrity would do I lay on the bed and I checked out the bathroom. It was beautiful and the view from the sunken spa bath has to be one of the best my city has to offer, but you know what fascinated me....the toilet...of course.....

This toilet was a Crohns Diseased Soul's dream come true. It had some sensor that made the seat lid go up when you stood in front and when you sat down it, it was heated! When you had finished your business you decide - do you need a front wash or a back wash, or both, and warm warm cleans your bits THEN on comes the dryer to dry you off. Once you're done and stand up IT FLUSHES then closes the lid.....it was the coolest toilet ever. I can now say this journey has taken me from the worst of toilets,  in Malaysia, to the best, right down the road from my work.

Anyway.....

For the interview  they asked me a few questions then had me pretend to examine my mouth in the mirror, to read a magazine while relaxing and drink a cup of coffee....they wanted me to eat a biscuit with the coffee, I tried but I couldn't, even after dunking, so the cookie scene was scrapped....

I have also provided them with my before photo. It is BAD, REALLY REALLY BAD! But it helps to tell my story. That part of me is gone now so I don't ever have to worry about going back there. But if your going to be toothless on a TV show and talk about how something changed your life the audience needs context.

So tomorrow will see my 15 minutes of fame. I hope I have made the right choice in doing this.

If your interested in watching, I was told today, the interview will air March 22 on A Current Affair. I think its on at 6.30pm in most capital cities....

I can not believe I'm recommending people watch tabloid journalism....

To Be Fair.

In my previous blog "I'm Not Refusing Treatment! I'm Refusing Drugs" I spoke of my treatment at the Logan Hospital Emergency Department. I said that I would post their response to my complaint. Yesterday I received this letter in the mail. If you click on it you will be able to read it.

Click on me to read

I'm really unhappy about this letter, its a fob off, so Ive written back, and again to be fair I shall share my response

Dear Ms Dunn,

I have to say that the response to my complaint is almost as unimpressive as my treatment at the Logan Emergency Department on 3 February 2013.

While I appreciate the time it seems the hospital took undertaking the investigation in response to my complaint, you have failed in answering the direct questions I asked in relation to this incident. I am not looking for an apology, I am looking for answers.

If you are able to provide an adequate response to the questions I have I will not feel the need to take this complaint further.

It may be that I did not express myself well over the telephone as I was still very upset by the incident at the time so I will pose these questions directly.

1. Why did the nurse feel she had nursed me before?

2. Why did that nurse state "You were here last week asking for drugs. I treated you, it was about your teeth". I had NOT been at that hospital for my teeth EVER!!!! 

3. Why did the nurse feel that I was lying about my identity?

4. Why did the nurse state that I was refusing treatment when I refused pain killers?

5. Why was my identity more important than my life?

6. Why, when presenting for treatment in an ambulance, with swelling and chest pain after a long haul flight and major dental surgery, (I had 25 teeth removed and dental implants placed just over a week before calling an ambulance), did I spend an hour being questioned about who I was and no medical care, bar a heart monitor and the offer pain relief?

7. I was clearly distressed, they asked why I was so upset, I said I did not want to be there. Why was I asked "Then why did you call an ambulance"? Seriously? Because I had leg swelling and chest pain after a long flight and you are supposed to call an ambulance when that happens. Should I sit at home when I KNOW I need medical assessment but do nothing because I don't want to go to a hospital? I had called 13 HEALTH and was told to call an ambulance.

8. Why did the nurse argue with me and say that she treated me WHEN I WAS IN THAILAND!!!! 

9. Why when I showed my passport and boarding pass, to prove I was not there and how recently I travelled, did the male nurse roll his eyes?

10. Why was I responded to, in a most sarcastic manner, with "Why would you say that? No one said you were a drug addict" when I asked the male nurse why I was being treated like a drug addict based on what the female nurse had been saying to me?

11. Do drug seekers generally arrive in the hospital in the same manner with the same risk factors refusing all needles and drugs unless its an actual treatment in order to get the drugs they want?

12. Did you speak to the Paramedic, Hayden, whom heard what the nurses were saying and stated that he felt it was not appropriate? What did he say?

13. Why did no medical staff attempt to stop me as I walked out of emergency, very distressed, in obvious pain, having arrived by ambulance and with those risk factors?

14. Has any action been taken against these health care "professionals"? If so, what? If not, why?

15. I would like access to my records to see what has been recorded regarding the events that evening. Would you please advise me of any steps I need to take to view my file.

As I stated before, I do not want your apology, it is hollow and meaningless, I want an explanation. If these nurses are refuting any of my claims I would like to know their perspective. I will not be satisfied unless or until I have these questions answered and I receive a direct apology from the female nurse involved.

Regards

Susie Butterworth

Again, I will share their response.

Next It's The "Forever" Bit

So today is Monday and I was right, my stitches are all  gone....

I have to congratulate myself on my ability to block out reality and the obvious next step before me. I have it down to a fine art.

This is one of my biggest flaws. I have an inability to think past the next pressing "event". I need to fix this very very quickly.

I had been so keen for the stupid annoying stitches to go away that when I woke up today and my gums were healed I was pumped. But as the day wore I knew that I had to consider those dentures again.

Firstly I think they look dumb. Maybe its because I've sat and stared at them for hours. Maybe its because the first time I saw them in my mouth it really hurt. Most likely its because its been at least 5 years since I had perfect teeth and its just different, (I'm not sure I ever mentioned this but about 6 years ago I had my teeth fixed for the first time but it was nothing like this, so this is the second set of teeth I've bought). There is nothing wrong with the dentures they are perfect, its just me.

Secondly, they make me gag and kinda hurt a little. I've been told it can take months to feel comfortable wearing dentures. Its only 5 months until I go back. I wonder, is it really worth it?

Next, I'm scared of the denture adhesive. I'm worried about how well it will stick and of I'll be able to get them out  easily if they make me gag badly or if they make me look like Jim Carey in "The Mask". What about if I cant get them unstuck at bed time??????

I really am at peace with my oral condition right now. I am not worried about people noticing my lack of fangs but if I have those dentures in I know all my old self conscious feelings are going to come flooding back.

I know I gripe about food but I'm not going to starve, I'm just going to be tormented. I think I can eat softish food in tiny bits for a few months to save myself any more reason to stress and freak out.

I remember back to my first prosthodontist appointment and he told me Id be toothless for 6 months and how offended I was that he would even suggest I go that long without teeth. I was so mad at him and now I am thinking its a good option for me....

Dr Sunil told me I would hate them and he was right. He told be he wouldn't hurt me and he was right. He promised me Id be supported for the entire time I was in hospital and he was right. He told me to wear the dentures as little as possible and since he has such a great track record of being right I think Ill wear them as little as possible and to me that's NEVER!

But now I need to contemplate my reaction to the reality that teeth are going to be screwed into my head and after 6 years Ill wake up, along with more stitches I'm sure, and have them permanently attached to my being. I know Im going to think I look silly. What if I wake up with a "hollywood smile"?!?!?!  What if I look like a rabbit?!?!?!? What if I look like I have costume teeth in?!?!?!?!?

This is a whole different set of emotions coming to visit now.

I've done the scary painful bit, but next it's the "forever" bit.

So far so good but its all about the end result.

No Teeth Is WAY Better Than Bad Teeth!

I am now 6 weeks post surgery and yesterday was "event horizon" for the stitches in my mouth. On Thursday I had at least 30 left, and now less than 2 days later I have, maybe 8, I say maybe as I'm counting with my tongue because its hard to see in my mouth properly. By Monday I reckon they will ALL be gone!!!!!

In terms of my recovery from the surgery itself, I have experienced NO pain. Initially the facial swelling was very uncomfortable but my jaw never hurt. Eating was an issue, and still is but I can eat most things if I chop it up real small, sadly, I still cant live out my burger fantasy. The single most annoying thing has been the stitches. They rub, they get loose, they hang down and when they fall out they do it mid conversation and you have to excuse your self to go suture fishing...clearly you also swallow a bunch of them...

I like to write silly poems, I wrote one for my stitches, it pretty much sums up the way I was feeling for most of the last month...

Screw you stitches,

You really really suck,

You are so bloody itchy,

And annoying as all fuck. 

I want to get some scissors,

And cut you all away,

But patience is a virtue,

Ill be suture free, one day. 

I really want a burger,

Or a juicy lump of steak,

I'm over all the mushy food,

I've had all that I can take.

I have had no infections in my mouth. I could not be happier with the quality of the work. I cannot speak highly enough of the treatment or the facilities or the people. If you need dental work and it will cost more than $1000 here, just go to Thailand and see Dr Sunil. You will not regret it. If you're in Thailand you should go and see him even if its just for a professional clean and whiten.

But the best bit is I still have not been sick! Not once! When I say sick I mean the old symptoms that I had, the ones that were ruining my life. I did have bad post flight foot and leg swelling followed by a really bad cold but they are things normal people get. This is a true freedom. One I never thought I would realise. I've even stopped considering my proximity to a bathroom! Its truly like being freed from a mental prison. In fact people are noticing and commenting about how healthy I look, that I look younger, that I'm getting fatter, that my skin looks better, that the whole shape of my face has changed, and it has I think my jaw was swollen for years. I am sleeping so much better and when I wake up I'm looking forward to the day. AND I'm not on ANY drugs!!!!!!!

The only real issue now is the social issues of having no teeth, I'm not attempting the dentures until every stitch is gone, but even that's not really an issue. I am lucky - when you look at me, and my mouth is closed, you cannot tell. My lips have not gone in like an old lady, partly because I have fairly thick lips and party because the implants are in my jaw. Having no teeth is less noticeable when I speak than having bad teeth, I'm not sure why, it just is. To me I have a terrible lisp, but I am assured by those around me its not so bad. I'm also not embarrassed anymore. Anyone I have contact with on a regular basis knows what I have done and feels comfortable to talk to me about it. I used to be ashamed of having bad teeth, now I am happy to have no teeth and I do not feel like I have to hide, I have stopped worrying that someone might notice my mouth because its not my dirty secret anymore, its my badge of courage and Im happy to talk about it.

I'm not really sure I'm even going to use the dentures, unless they help me eat, I think they look weird, but I haven't really given them a chance so Ill reserve my judgement. But last night I did manage to eat Chicken Enchilladas, cut into teeny bits, sans teeth so......

Less than 5 months til I can go back and have all this be a memory rather than a reality and a dream...

The Idea Of Burger Juices Dripping Off My Hands Is Almost Pornographic.

So its been three weeks and one day since I had the surgery and I have to say that I WAS NOT PREPARED and I am an impatient whinger.

All I thought about BEFORE I had this surgery was being brave enough to get it done. I spent the entire time just preparing myself to have the balls to do this awake and all alone in a foreign land. I just didn't really think past the "event" properly, I didn't even consider the stitches, or really anything other than it might hurt for a few days and then Id have my temporary dentures and Id be looking normal. Everyone I spoke to indicated that they were eating and smiling THE SAME DAY, so I went with that, I didn't stop and say "Well hang on, NONE of these people are having 25 teeth extracted AND implants placed", everyone I spoke to had only had the implants after years of traditional denture wearing,  no extractions or a couple. I was not able to find ANY PERSON ON THE PLANET to speak to who had as many teeth out all at once. I was too "event" focused.

As I have said I used Global Health Travel for my trip, and pretty much I figure the bulk of the medical tourism industry is made up of women wanting boob jobs, but I did not consider this before. So you get on their site, you read the testimonials you see the posts and you kind of get sucked into the "This is good, cheap, quick and the recovery time is short" type mentality, but dental work is certainly NOT a boob job, they are not even in the same ball park let alone the same league....I had too much emotional effort going into doing it I don't know if it was deliberate or not but I didn't even really spare the recovery a thought.

First thing I learnt was DO NOT ATTEMPT ANYTHING LIKE THAT ON YOUR OWN! Yes I survived, yes it was clean and painless and done while under GA in the end, but the experience changed me and I'm not sure it was all good. When I recall the events of the first visit to Dr Sunil I panic. I get short of breath. The memory of that first ride from the hotel to the clinic is one I really would rather forget. Never in my life have I been so scared. NEVER EVER!!!! I had no one to hold my hand, no one to talk sense to me, no one to hug me and say they were there for me. I just had me and I am very unreliable....as far as I knew Id be having teeth ripped in less than an hour. I don't care if it sounds melodramatic but  that car ride really, for want of a better word, fucked me up, it was the most traumatic 30 minutes of my life and my life ain't been easy....a friend would have made it easier....Ill never recover from it. I am sure that fear will haunt me forever. It was intense.

So after it was done, I didn't die, I had my dentures, I wasn't in agonizing pain, I had no infections and I discovered Cream of Broccoli Soup I was on a high. The pain killers, antibiotics and anti swelling tablets may have contributed to my altered state of reality, but meh....it was fun while it lasted.

Then I came home, first the plane was crap, customs was crappier, the foot and leg swelling crappier still and the hospital well, OMG THE HOSPITAL (on that, an investigation has been initiated and I WILL let you know what happens), but worst of all guess who came to visit - REALITY. I really hate Reality, I wish it would curl up and die....painfully......

Anyway....

Second thing I learnt, the dentistry may be uber fast in Thailand but the recovery time is still the recovery time no matter what country you are in. My dreams of a beautiful smile are on hold pending dissolution of several  tens of stitches. I can't wear the dentures and so I cant eat real food unless I cut it into teeny tiny pieces. I cant talk properly, as you all now know my name is Susie i.e. worst name for someone with a dental surgery induced lisp and spends her working day on the telephone....The stitches are STILL THERE!!!! Yes, they are SLOWLY dissolving but its just not quick enough. They are fraying,  the knots that are left are twisting and digging into my gums, the strands of sutures are itching the shit out of me and until they go I cant wear the dentures....I AM GOING MAD!!!!!

Another driver for my insanity is HUNGER! Since I had my teeth out I have not vomited once, I haven't even felt like there was a remote possibility I might spew....this is a MIRACLE!!! As a result I am STARVING  I dream of a hamburger, a really juicy one with the lot, bacon, pineapple BBQ sauce BEETROOT....hmmmm, OMG I want a hamburger.....The idea of burger juices dripping off my hands is almost pornographic to me at the moment...For the last decade I haven't wanted to eat because Id throw it up, I had done everything to minimize the effects of Crohns and I was still unwell, it is clear to me now that I was so sick because of my teeth and now they are gone I will actually see the benefit of my efforts.

I need to remember that what I did was massive and I am only human and bodies take time to heal. Be patient and remember that doing the RIGHT thing and not smiting an immediate irritation is what I need to do.

This cost so much, it will get better.....stop being a whinger......

I now need to deal with a new type of humiliation but only for a few more weeks...I HOPE...

UPDATE

Today I met the burger in my fantasy. It wasn't mine to eat, I still cant eat anything like that, but it was mine to covet. The phallic pickle was just so symbolic. This burger is to a woman with no teeth as porn is to an impotent man.

I will return to masticate you one day, you naughty naughty burger......

Don't Get Too Excited. There Are No Before and After Shots Yet!

Im going to dedicate this post to photos, mainly because I haven't added any yet...

Don't get too excited there are no before and after shots yet, they will be saved until the permanent teeth are in...

Where to start?

This was the view from The Prime 11, where the Global Health Recovery Units are....

Not bad at all. Here are a couple of shots of the street its on, Sukhumvit, Soi 11....

Loved the Pop Up Bars!

Me being tough, holding snakes, cause that's just how I roll...

OK, so I was freaking out!

But I did it!

Wat Pho, I loved that place...

Wat Arun was cool, but you will see why I got sore legs! Such steep steps!

My Thai Boyfriend...I actually think he was a girl....well it was Thailand.....

The filthy river...

The housing....

I have lots more pictures but these are a snapshot of my time in Thailand...Thanks for following my journey! It seems I still have a fair way to go!