Silver lining

[madamesilverspurs]

There have been many times over the last several years when I have been profoundly thankful for my Medicare. The fact that I'm still alive is testament to its efficacy. It's what I'd hoped for everyone with health care reform. Someday. Soon, I still hope.

Anyway, I was rudely reminded last week that something that needs to be added to Medicare is dental coverage. A chunk of a molar broke off, and did so just as our first big snow storm arrived. That blast of cold air made inhaling a most unpleasant adventure. Since this happened on a weekend (when else?!)I packed that corner of my mouth with dental putty from the pharmacy, and spent the weekend trying to figure out how I was going to deal with this.

Turns out, I'm blessed with some quietly phenomenal friends. And one of them stepped up and announced that she'd spoken to her dentist and told him she'd pay to get the tooth fixed. The timing coincides with my final loan payment to citibank, and the money that had been going to them will now go, instead, to repaying my friend.

It gets better. The dentist is a great guy with a terrific staff. Following the root canal I was finishing paperwork with the office manager, and she provided me with some information about a dental-help program through an obscure corner of the agency on aging. She also gave me the contact info for a local non-profit group that exists for the sole purpose of helping the poor to access dental care. With that information I can pass along the benefit of my friend's generosity. And THAT is one heck of a silver lining, one that compels the continuing effort to bring appropriate care to all of us.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. What a great story...

I am proud to recommend...

[pansypoo53219]

2. YES. universal dental care.

boy i need to get me teeth cleaned.

[truedelphi]

3. Sorry to hear about your tooth.

Same thing is happening to me - didn't know about dental putty.

I love the part about your friend stepping in and helping. She may not realize it, but I can envision on some level, any time your tongue brushes against the repaired tooth, you will be silently blessing her for the help.

Also nice touch that the story ends the way it does.

Thank you for sharing the story.