For want of a tooth...

[trinityofone]

Thank you, everyone, for all the thoughtful advice you gave me yesterday. It was really appreciated, and empowering, and I was starting to feel brave and ready to do something.

Then I went to my second dentist appointment this morning.

The two cavities are worse than they thought. At the very least, I need root canals; at worst, the teeth are going to have to be replaced. Months of work are going to be involved, and thousands of dollars.

So...that's it. I can't quit. Because of my fucking teeth, I have to stay at this job that I hate.

I just...y'know, if this were a novel, this would be the kind of plot twist that would really piss me off. You can change your life but what's stopping you is DENTISTRY? What bullshit is this?

Anyway. I'm back at the office now with temporary fillings, puffy chipmunk cheeks, and a head woozy from Novocain, which is also probably the only thing that's keeping me from smashing stuff. I know that this is not a tragedy; this is an inconvenience, an annoyance. I'm not actually ill, so it could be a lot worse; with my insurance and those savings I was talking about, I will even be able to afford this (I think), although all that fallback money is going to be gone. It could be so much worse.

But I'm furious at myself, and I guess at the world? At TPTB? Fate? Way to give me a big old FU, guys; I think I got the message.

So, I guess it's back to work.

Sigh.

Comments

[flaming-muse.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear about the insurance issues, but at least you can still actively look for another job. It doesn't sound like your savings would be enough, but you can COBRA your medical and dental (at your own expense) up to I think it's 18 months after leaving your job. So you wouldn't necessarily lose your insurance if you quit, although you might not have the money to pay for it. That's between you and your bank account.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

I think you're right that I have to be positive and proactive about this. Treat it as an opportunity to start doing things RIGHT. Like find a better job, and go to the dentist regularly!

[randomeliza.livejournal.com]

Aw, honey. *hugs* Well, I'd say something like "look on the bright side - when this is done you'll be out of pain!" but I know that that isn't particularly helpful because you'll still have a job you hate even if you can eat ice cream without cringing. But you know what? You needed to do this. It's part of being a grown-up, and you're doing it because taking care of yourself and your health is the most important thing. You can put up with this shit job for a little while longer - you're strong, stronger than you know, and you can deal. I have faith in you. All of us do.

*hugs* Stay strong, my dear. You'll get through this.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

You're right. I have to be adult about this. And probably, I should try to do so with a little less whining, because in the scheme of things, it's really not that big a deal.

*squeezes, but steers clear of the jaw-region*

[etben.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

that is indeed the pits - would you like me to go beat life up for you? According to my (terrifying, evil, mean) great-uncle, I have a mean right hook on me...

*more hugs*

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, I think the person most deserving of a punch right now is me. Or, actually, the United States and our shitty health policy—if I'd gotten this treated earlier, it wouldn't be a problem; but I didn't get it treated earlier, because I had no insurance and it was too expensive.

Right. I should move to Canada.

[abbylee]

It won't make you feel any better, but dental coverage isn't part of Canada's health plan. It's significantly cheaper here, but you'd still have to pay out of pocket or have insurance. The only way the government will pay for dental work is if you're covered through First Nations (FNIHB/Indian Affairs) or through Social Assistance (SAHS). Neither pays the full fees, but the dentists I've worked with have always waved the remaining fees for covered procedures. And while FNHIB covers most things, the coverage for SAHS patients is so woefully inadequate that even patients who come in regularly need to be preauthorized to get a complete cleaning.

It's easy to let things get out of hand, if only because things can get complicated fast. The best suggestion I can offer is to see your dentist regularly, not only to help prevent further problems, but also so that if they do happen, you have the kind of relationship where making a payment plan is easier. I think we even had one patient who found it easier to budget if she put down a certain amount every month, and then when she came in for her cleanings she only had to pay the balance.

Did you tell your dentist and his receptionist about your insurance problems? I know it wasn't always possible in our office, but we did try to fit those patients in earlier, and would always put them on a waiting list.

::hugs::

[abbylee]

(And of course that doesn't really help if you're having implants done, which are ridiculously expensive and awesome and require recovery time. But might help speed things up if you're just doing endo and crowns.)

(more ::hugs::)

[amireal.livejournal.com]

What the above said, you don't lose insurance right away AND if you find a good oral surgeon and dentist who does crowns it can take a month tops. Maybe 6 weeks. Especially if you tough it out and handle two root canals in one sitting. Not a big deal once you're numbed because once the root is extracted the worst of the pain is gone anyhoo.

However each root canal would probably cost $3000 out of pocket so look hard at your insurance and see what you can eek out.

[roaringmice.livejournal.com]

Making the best of a bad situation:

- Start seriously looking for a new job as soon as possible. You know, like, today - this second. Monster.com is your friend! Feel free to do this on work time, if you have any privacy at all.
- Start really, really looking hard at those freebies you get on your job. Enjoy the heck out of them. If necessary, steal more (joking. Or. Am. I? Hmm...)

I'm sorry to hear about your teeth, and the sucky job. (((hugs)))

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Those are both excellent pieces of advice. *eyes the free pile*

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

My insurance unfortunately does end on the last day I work, but I may look into that COBRA thing. Still, I have to pay on my own and then get reimbursed, so...

God, handling money SUCKS. Adulthood? Kinda sucks.

[amireal.livejournal.com]

Check into COBRA and then check in with your dentists, they all take CCs now since they're so expensive, they might have payment plans as well.

[amireal.livejournal.com]

p.s. Want unbeta'd fic to read for a cheer up?

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

I can't right now; I have too much to catch up on because I was out this morning. (I shouldn't even be on LJ right now, but I needed the moral support.) If you can wait till tomorrow...?

[amireal.livejournal.com]

It's all about you, I don't expect you to beta it just read and relax! I can send it whenever you like! I am just hear trying on my new bras and avoiding actual packing that I should be doing. *g*

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Oh! Sorry, I'm not thinking clearly. DRUGS. But then yes, please, send it over! It'll make a great reward for finishing these captions.

[starrylizard.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

You can still keep looking for new jobs while you work at least.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

Thanks. And I'm totally going to!

[setissma.livejournal.com]

*enormous hugs*

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

*clings*

[setissma.livejournal.com]

This is me, with enormous squishings. *hugs tight!*

[siria]

Oh, honey, I am so sorry. *hugs* Have you looked at your insurance package to see how quickly you can go through with the procedures, and if there is a possibility to extend the insurance past the date of termination of employment? There might be a loophole, if you are lucky.

Also, I thoroughly advocate you smashing something, or at least punching something. There's lots of inherited crap in your office, right? Find something ugly and break it.

*hugs once more*

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

I'm going to look it over again when I'm at home and not stoned, but I think no matter what it's going to be tough because these procedures are expensive to begin with. Oh why oh why do we not have socialized medicine? *moves to Canada*

I almost threw the Chicago Manual of Style across the room, but I managed to restrain myself. I think I'll just simmer quietly.

*hugs you tight*

[siria]

Because you are not crazy pinko commie liberal like Canadians and Europeans.

Throw the damn manual. It needs a good work-out.

*clings to you* You will get through this! Get your mom to feed you and give you hugs in my absence--tell her I said so!

[lilac-way.livejournal.com]

Days like these make you wish you were a character on Buffy or Angel and could physically kick TPTB in the ass.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

God, so do I! A little sword-wielding would be much appreciated right now!

(By the way, did you ever get my e-mail reply the other night? I sent it, but now Yahoo isn't marking it as sent!)

[wychwood]

*comforts* The US health system really sucks.

[trinityofone.livejournal.com]

YES IT DOES!

*shockingly, hates on Bush MORE*

[ashfae.livejournal.com]

Oh ugh, how awful! Blaaah!

But look for a new job anyway! Maybe you'll find a brilliant one with dental. It's worth a try, right? *hugs*

[saturnalia.livejournal.com]

Oh, god, that sucks so much. *offers hugs*

(And, um. I'm not sure if it's my socialist, NHS-loving background showing, but- seriously, thousands of dollars? For dental work? Yikes.)

[toft-froggy.livejournal.com]

(Totally. I was trying to avoid my little reflexive jump-back of 'How does this happen to people? How is this a good way to run a country?' because, y'know, not that helpful. But true.)

[thegrrrl2002.livejournal.com]

Oh, that totally sucks. I'm so sorry. ::hugs you:: It's terrible to have come to a decision and have the rug pulled out from under you. But hey, temporary setback! A couple of months to get the dental work done. And maybe it won't cost as much out-of-pocket as you think. And then you can make your escape!

[mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so sorry. Well, at least the decision was made -- and you know to start hunting seriously for another job. Good luck with everything.

[diluvian.livejournal.com]

Find out exactly how long your dentist thinks you'll be under his/her care. Then find out how that compares to another local provider. Seriously, there is a lot fo leeway between "OMG YER GONNA DIE" and "omg you need intervention."

[springwoof.livejournal.com]

::pets::

so sorry to hear the bad news...that really,awesomely sucks.

::hugs::

[ceteramisto.livejournal.com]

I can both sympathize and empathize with your situation because I'm in the same boat. There are few things more annoying then having to stay in an unpleasant job because of your teeth. *Hugs*

[delurker.livejournal.com]

:( *hugs*

[stillane.livejournal.com]

*hug* I'm so sorry this is sucking so much.

Being in a sort of comparable mess, I can offer what I've been gleaning info-wise of late. First, check out the COBRA thing, which is helpful. The thing to watch for, though, is the medical end of it. While the dental is not at all bad in terms of cost to value ratio, the med side may be heavier and more costly than you really need. If you aren't on any very expensive medications/having any big health issues, and your policy allows it, it might be cheaper to freelance the med coverage. The trick is to shop carefully for a plan - most don't cover prescriptions, and the pre-existing condition area is a fuzzy bit of crap - but if you're in a pinch, it might be worth it while you're between jobs. I'd advise maybe trying for a longer plan which has the potential to cancel early, just in case.

I am in no way at all an expert, as evidenced by my mother's slow blinks of "I don't remember dropping you on your head" every time we discuss insurance and/or finances, and there are certainly pitfalls to this method. (Namely, if you get run over by a bus, and need therapy beyond the end of your coverage, you are most likely very, very screwed.) This is just what's worked for me recently.

Hope it all turns out for the best. *one more hug of commiseration*

[faith-girl222.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[toft-froggy.livejournal.com]

Ouch... but then, this could be the point at which it all turns around and suddenly all your co-workers grow wings and become incredibly nice, and your job becomes fulfilling and interesting and you meet David Hewlett in the Starbucks around the corner and next thing you know you're up for industry awards and you own the entire company, and then this will just be a punchline for your small, starry-eyed relatives and wet-behind-the-ears recruits where you say, "But there was a time when I nearly quit that job, and do you know the only reason I stayed?"
"No, mummy/auntie/grandma/Mistress Trin!"
"Because of my teeth."
And then everyone will laugh heartily as it goes soft-focus and fades to black. So, here's hoping. If not, well, at least the extra time will look better on your CV. And you'll have good teeth. *sends supportive waves*