Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Teeth

My dad had all his teeth removed today. Most people who do this are getting dentures because their teeth are old and cruddy. Not so in the case of my dad.

Oh wait.

Depending on your definition of old, he might be. He is 68. It is a miracle that he is still with us. The other part is that his teeth are cruddy, but it is not because he failed to brush and floss. Chemotherapy weakened the enamel on his teeth and they are (were) not performing. The last time I saw him (two weeks ago) his teeth were literally falling out over stressors no more serious than a nacho.

This is no way to live.

So my brave and humble dad told his dentists to give him biters that would actually work. Today, it happened. He has $30,000 worth of permanent new fake teeth. Is that dentures? I don't even frikkin' know. But I do know how I would feel if I had someone remove all my teeth with the "idea" that some new biters would be installed in their place. (Not happy, and a lot scared). My dad is the bravest and the loveliest guy who ever lived. I was about a year old when this picture was taken. He is every bit as handsome now as the day this was taken.



I'll be crying over here in the corner until tomorrow. With my cupcake. (Oh dammit I already ate it).

See you tomorrow.

18 comments:

P said...

Oh, that's so hard! I'm sorry about your dad's teeth - how wretched. I can imagine how you feel.

Woodrow said...

Why are you crying?

EmmaL said...

get one more cupcake!

Em said...

yea... that would not be easy.

Kate P said...

Wow, he is a brave one. Well, I wish him "many happy smiles" with his new teeth.

Anonymous said...

I hope all goes with your dad.

Also, I hope you find another cupcake and you stop crying.

be well,

Ki said...

My sympathy.

Sizzle said...

What a great photo. I hope the new teeth help your dad feel better!

Neil said...

Hoping the new teeth enable him to enjoy eating his favorite foods again!

Avitable said...

He definitely seems very brave. And I think you're clearly his daughter.

Megan said...

I know it's sad, but this is a good thing. You'll see.

xo

maryse said...

he's certainly brave. my mother had her top teeth pulled out with fancy choppers put in their place because her teeth were falling out and she had run out of teeth for securing a bridge. and they did such a good job with them that they still look like her teeth. only better.

and she loves them. so although it's a little freaky to think of your dad without teeth in his head, i'm sure that his dentist will give him his same old smile. and he'll be able to eat nachos with gusto.

nightfly said...

Your Dad is a trooper and I hope he has many happy years with the new biters.

Mrs. Who said...

My m-i-l had that procedure done a few years back. She got dentures when she was 16 because her family couldn't afford the dentist...so her dad had all her teeth pulled and she got dentures.

She has her 'new' teeth now and absolutely loves them. She says it was worth it without a doubt.

The Ferryman said...

Good for your dad! He sounds like quite a guy.

$30K? Wow...I had no idea they were so expensive.

That calls for a second cupcake.

utenzi said...

Holy crap, Nina. $30k??? He must have gotten implants. My teeth cost less than $2k.

LizLSB said...

As you and I have discussed before, there is nothing harder than coping with your parents' frailty and mortality. I get why you are crying, kiddo. {{{hugs}}}

Mr. Bingley said...

God bless him, Nina.