Issue #4: Well, This Wasn't on My Christmas List
Getting my wisdom teeth out at 37
We’ve all heard that obnoxious Christmas song, All I Want for Christmas is my 2 Front Teeth, right? Well, it’s on repeat in my head because I just had one of my wisdom teeth completely yanked from my upper jaw and two sliced out of my bottom jaw. Sliced seems like a weird word, right? Well, there’s some new procedure where they cut them in half to get them away from my teeth but leave the bottom half because removing it could do severe nerve damage to my face. I guess I want to keep feeling in my chin and lower lip.
It all happened quickly after visiting my brand new dentist (who I love). He did X-rays on Monday and had me at a consultation with an oral surgeon by Monday afternoon. Those puppies came out Thursday, and here I am eating mashed potatoes and spoonable smoothies, looking like a chipmunk storing up for winter. Warning: I’m on a low dose of painkillers, so this newsletter might reflect some of that a bit.
Two things surprised me in this whole process. The first is that I’ve had these same x-rays done at each dentist I’ve been to (which has been a lot because we’ve moved a ton.) Each time, they point out my wisdom teeth and say, “that’s interesting, they are oddly impacted on the bottom.” And there’s never been any mention of having an oral surgeon look at them. It’s fine, they just might shove themselves into my nerves which helps explain the weird jaw pains and sensations I’ve been having but let’s just call it interesting. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not blaming previous dentists, but shouldn’t someone have brought this up years ago? I’m essentially geriatric now when it comes to having these teeth pulled.
The other surprising thing (and I know it shouldn’t be) is insurance. Oral surgery falls into my dental category. My dental insurance claims all these places I’ve visited are in-network, but they are not once the billing comes. The best part is that they only covered a few hundred dollars for a surgery that costs a few thousand. I’ll still be getting a bill for a biopsy done with no warning of how much that will cost because the insurance company didn’t deem that necessary. It’s just another reminder of how messed up our insurance system is in this country. At what point does my mouth because my body and fall under that insurance plan instead?
Oh well, Merry Christmas to me and my chipmunk cheeks. I’m able to benefit from an emergency savings account. Still, many people aren’t, and I can’t imagine having that conversation amidst the anxiety of my face getting cut open. Don’t mention the extra 3.5% added to people who pay with credit cards. Seriously, three days was barely enough to transfer money from one account to another. That would have cost an extra $100 to plop it on a credit card instead.
All I’m trying to say is that our healthcare system is insane. You should ask many questions, but not too many, because they might run 80 more tests and charge you for them. Find a doctor and a dentist you trust and feel comfortable with, and never let them go. I’m seriously considering never leaving Seattle because I’ve found just half of that equation now. Also, before the end of the year, make a list of the preventative care that your insurance covers, and make sure you check each one off the list as soon as possible.
Now, let’s talk about some fun holiday things because this took a turn for the depressing.
Cozy and Chill Things You Should Do in the Last 2 Weeks of the Year
The holidays can be hectic, and many people find themselves more burnt out than ever when they should be slowing down to celebrate another year gone by. Here are some suggestions:
Watch Home Alone while eating an entire 🍕 just for yourself.
Take a whole bunch of pictures of snow because we are still in the part of the cold season where it’s beautiful.
Bake your favorite holiday cookies and keep them all for yourself. I’ve been known to eat a whole lot of Russian Tea Cakes and Cornflake Wreaths. And I don’t necessarily think you need to make seven dozen and hand them out unless that’s your style. Hopefully, I can eat solids by mid-next week and do some cookie baking.
Pick up some Eggnog (I love the boozy Costco stuff) and drink it in your pajamas while watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.
Catch a late sunrise with a coffee on a walk as we are at the Winter Solstice, so it rises late. Today in Seattle, it came up at 7:52 AM.
Read something that’s been on your shelf for a while.
Watch the Harry and Meghan docuseries on Netflix. I became more interested in the Queen after watching the Crown, and this was super intriguing because they were going through so many of the things Diana tried to talk about.
Complete one annoying task you feel you’ve been putting off all year.
Plan an adventure for a future holiday break. If you need some ideas, check out this post featuring the best European holiday market (in my opinion), or head to the best place in the US to feel festive, New York City at Christmas.
What’s Up Next?
I’ve got some fun ideas for the New Year with this newsletter. First, I’ll do a little round-up of all the 2022 favorites (with some help from my friends.) Watch for that in the last week of the year.
In the new year, I’ll be reusing a resolution I tried in 2015. I’ll share more in the final email of the year, but make sure you don’t miss it. I think it will be both entertaining and helpful. Plus, there will be chances to win fun things.
Eat something good for me this weekend! I’ll be here eating mashed potatoes and smoothies with ice packs on my face.
Happy Holidays!
Steph