My relationship with food

I am amazed and shocked about how my relationship with food has changed now that I have dentures.  I always enjoyed food, its presentation, aromas, taste, the preparing and the savoring every bite.  I loved to eat. Not so much any more.  First a little history of me and food.

When I as a year old and in my hi-chair awaiting my meal my Mom said I would "fly" in the chair and sing with excitement, arms fluttering, legs kicking, smiling and making the best sounds.  She told me that one day nuns had come by with prayer cards and a 'visit' and saw me all a flutter in my hi-chair.  She said they were amazed at my exuberance.  I loved to eat.

That exuberance, and excitement, flutter and flying have been part of my relationship with food all my life until I got dentures.  Now, I eat to sustain myself with little joy.  I understand that in time I will adjust, learn to chew better and once again enjoy food.  But for now I feel such a loss and I am grieving that relationship with food I once had.

My gums are healing and I am doing well with the care and rituals that go along with dentures.  There really should be a 'denture-rehab' so folks can get support and direction.  It is trial and error all the way. And I know of all the challenges one cold face that adjusting to dentures is not high on the tragic list.  But for me, it has been overwhelming, draining and  when I think of the actual event of 25+ teeth extracted all at once!! I have a bit of PTSD.  

I do like how I look, a lot. And I know that being rid of all gum disease is a real health benefit.  Also, knowing I will never have another drill in my moth is a big relief.  Now when I go for an adjustment I hand my teeth to the dentist.  Cool, huh?  :-)

I am also healing from a blister that became badly infected on my foot. Horrid.  I am on heavy duty anti- biotics and hot soaks and I have to stay off it as much as possible and elevate. All  my energy is zapped.  I had an MS flare up on the same side in my leg which is my weaker side.   I am improving each day and as the infection heals my strength is coming back.  I am almost back to my 'abnormal-normal'.....Needless to say this has been a rough month.  I am fighting every day to be better and heal. Please send your prayers and good thoughts.  

Looking forward to a nice slice of pizza and that feeling of excitement and flying high. :-)

A WEDDING AND A NEW SMILE :-)

Hello to all my blog friends -

I know it has  been a while since I have posted.  I really haven't had all that much to say. But here I am with some updates.


My daughter was married on March 22nd.  It was a lovely, rustic, natural and loving celebration of love and family.My oldest daughter came with her three children.  It was wonderful to "be" together.  She did all the cooking  and serving. Amazing.

Here are some photos:

Another HUGE  event is my "new smile" - pictured below-

I had 24 teeth plus two teeth tips extracted on Friday April 25th so I am two weeks out from the event.  I am not sure how I mustered up the courage to walk in that day and actually sit in the chair but I did it.  Somehow I calmed myself - so much so that the dentist poked me asking if I was "still with him".  ???

It is certain tat the 'some how' I mentioned had real basis.  First I prayed hard and once I sat in the chair I surrendered and I did trust the dentist. A genius.  Add to that was my belief that my Mom had her hand over mine and was comforting me. I felt her there.

The healing and adjusting is on going - learning to talk and chew and so forth - on going! and a series of frustrations and comic relief. I whistle a bit and clack and some times the bottom teeth just lift up.  Good Lord!  I am a ways from eating in public.  :-)

 I know I made a good decision to do this and I was empowered that I could. With Ms - one can lose blood flow to the bone holding teeth in caused by nerve damage,  Subsequently, my teeth loosened and shifted and infection was mounting.  When I was all through the dentist said that I was leaving the office much healthier than when I arrived.  All gum disease leaves with the bad teeth. Who knew?  

So here's to smiles and hope and healing for us all.