36 thoughts on “November 5, 2022: Crime Report”

    1. Once more I'm reminded why I like to fly SWA. After landing, we sat waiting for a plane to back out of our gate. And then 2 or 3 others at neighboring gates, as someone probably forgot we were sitting there. Then we waited for the plane that arrived after us to pull up to their gate. When we FINALLY got to our gate, we had less than 10 minutes to get to our connecting flight. Even though the departure gate was just across from our gate, we could see that the departure gate was already closed. Thanks, AA. Anyone know of fun things to do to pass the day in Charlotte?

  1. I'm recovering today from a tooth extraction and bone graft yesterday. No spitting, no swishing, no smoking, no straws . Turns out the cadaver bone they use is granular, they pack it in and suture the gum to keep it in place. The bone material mixes with the blood to form a nice clot. Over time the clotted blood dissipates and new bone forms in and around the graft material. I have to heal for three months, then they put in an implant setting. That has to heal a few months, then they put in the post that has to heal for a month or so, then they put on the crown and I can chew like a man again. The extraction itself was pretty horrible. I'm blessed or cursed with long, curved roots. In this case, there was still an abscess under the tooth and the back root was compromised with hairline fractures so every time she got a good grip the root would break off. She must have pumped a pint of Novocain into my jaw over the course of the procedure. All told I was in the chair for close to three hours. With all that I expected to be miserable today, but it's not really that painful. I was careful to follow all the post-op instructions this time, including five hours of icing my face (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off). I'm alternating Tylenol 3 with Advil every 3-4 hours and the pain has been pretty minimal so far. And I feel pretty lucky that this didn't happen a year ago when I was unemployed and had crappy insurance.

    1. I feel for you. I've had lots of tooth issues, but never an extraction that bad.

      On the 14th I'm going in for attempt #2 on a set of implants - one of them failed the first time while the dentist was taking the cap off to start prepping the crown. The whole implant just came out of the bone. It was horribly painful and now my anxiety for the next time is about as high as I can handle. They did the bone graft, replaced the implant, and I have no reason to suspect there will be problems after a nice long healing period. But I am so nervous.

      1. Wow, I didn't even think to look into potential bad outcomes, but I didn't really have much choice, the tooth had to come out and it's my main grinder on that side so I need an implant. For a couple of days I thought I had an upper molar on that side abscessing, too, but the dentist checked it out and didn't see anything she said it was likely pain and inflammation from the lower molar spreading to the upper jaw. And that tooth does feel fine now, so one more vote of confidence for her. Good luck with your next procedure.

        1. They say about 5% failure rate for implants, and I was just one of the unlucky ones. But, even with the bad outcomes, what's the alternative? You need the teeth.

    2. I’ve had one very easy extraction (fully erupted wisdom tooth, just too crowded) and one root canal on a dead tooth I injured as a pre-teen; both were in my twenties. Some boot Navy dentist used one of my feet for practice when I was in boot camp. I get cleanings every three months to deal with some gum issues. Other than that, I’ve not had to endure any invasive dentistry. And yet, I’m pretty sure modern dentistry is one reason I’m glad I live now instead of any time in prior human history.

      All of that is to say, this sounds pretty terrible and I’m glad this stage of it is over and you’re on the mend, Twayn. One step at a time.

      1. And yet, I’m pretty sure modern dentistry is one reason I’m glad I live now instead of any time in prior human history.

        Amen, brother. Amen. But living now does not necessarily mean you have not lived at any prior time in human history.

        1. Very true. My older relatives clear dislike of dentist visits seems to have a lot to do with formative experiences early in life. My own first dentist was an old guy with a two-chair office that seemed equipped during the first Eisenhower administration, and I’m probably fortunate that my teeth were (and have been) healthy enough to avoid any serious interventions.

    3. Oofda.

      My dental escapades are all juvenile (so far).

      In 3rd grade, I had a row of front (baby) teeth pulled and a row of a second set of teeth (NOT my permanent teeth!) behind them dug out by my dentist. My upper lip was so swollen that it pretty much blocked my nostrils.

      I then got sent to Mayo for surgery to attach clasps and chains to my four, top front teeth because they were perpendicular instead of pointing down. Then to the orthodontist who installed braces, connected to the chains. Once a month for the rest of 3rd and all of 4th and 5th I had to go in to have the chains cinched up so they would continue pulling those teeth down into place.

      When I finally had teeth, my orthodontist retired to a ski chalet in Colorado. The guy who took over his practice wanted to put braces on my bottom teeth. I said "hell, no."

    4. Sounds like my wisdom teeth. First one out took the dentist 30 seconds at most. Disturbingly easy. The fourth took minimum 15 minutes. I never had so much lidocaine as the dentist and assistant tried their best for the pain. Once he was done we got to marvel at the curved roots formerly wrapped around the nerve.

  2. All this medical and dental talk makes me think none of us are getting out of this alive.

    I get to have my knee scoped to cut out my meniscus because old and wear and tear and actual tears. I'll be hobbling around over the Christmas holiday. Thank goodness there isn't any ice down here.

    1. Yeah, I'm keeping the cane around for days when things are sore, but I'm at least mobile again. Once everything heals up nice though, we do the other ankle (after the ice clears up a sufficient degree)!

    2. The scope is a medical marvel.

      On my second knee scope (at Mayo, 1983) I walked out afterwards. It was very sore for a couple weeks (I used a cane for a week), but....

      1. I had a floater popped out of my rt knee about 8 years ago. Workers comp. Doc 'cleaned up' some of my olds at that point as well. I hobbled out without crutches and was back to work 2 weeks later.

        This one is workers comp as well (frequent flyer with my WC insurer, next punch gets me a free cup of coffee). Doc says I'll be back on my feet in two weeks, climbing ladders in a month. I'm relieved to not have to have open surgery to repair (well, cut out the offending bits) and that this is buying me a bit of time until my eventual knee replacement.

      2. I had my right knee scoped about 10 years ago. The left knee needs to be scoped but I am grunting it out right now as I just don't have time. Lately, the right knee has been barking, which means probably another scope on that knee. Now this week the right elbow is on fire. Within the next few years, I will be a bionic man I fear.

        1. On a more positive note, our youngster citizen stopped in to visit me at the joint for the 3rd time this year. Citizen sightings are getting more and more common up here in the sticks.

          1. We needed to get the girls out of the house, so we went on an impromptu trip up 94 today see their aunt/my sister.

            And no trip to see her is complete without a stop at the P&P

        2. I’ve toughed this one out for a year. Due to the holidays I’m forced to wait til late December though now I wish I’d just bit the bullet and done this a year ago.

  3. Speaking of other medical issues, the youngest developed a fever of 103 °F this afternoon. He felt impressively warm when I woke him up from his nap, one that he decided to have. I wish there were at home flu and RSV tests. He still hasn't received his third COVID shot due to three separate pharmacies failing at it.

      1. The fourth shot really jacked me up. I’ve had pretty good immune responses (good = feeling like absolute ass) for the last 3, but the symptoms from 4th just wouldn’t relent. As a side effect from having the actual rona I had a massive hive outbreak from the shot. Awesome.

        1. I got laid out for a few days by my first two, which was unpleasant but I took as a good sign. My immune system is pretty robust. I did endeavor to overhydrate for my last (4th) booster, which was a good idea since I got it on a Tuesday.

  4. I have nothing to add, except to say, holy hell is this an unexpected litany of pain and suffering. I wish you (& yours) nothing but swift & manageable recoveries.

  5. Rowed 15k this afternoon and then enjoyed a private five course meal centered around heirloom apples at our favorite local apple orchard this evening. Agony & ecstasy.

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