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

[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*