I am, however, wearing a spangly "Princess" shirt, and crown hairclips from Disney, and every piece of jewelry with a crown I could find this morning (which is kind of a lot).

Happy birthday, princess Epic!

Totally ditch the dentist, Tep. That shit is just not on.

I'm sorry for the whole situation, smonster.

I had the root canal, but still had soreness above the gum (between my nose and cheekbone)

That's kind of mine -- the soreness is at the way top of my gum. And it's only tender to the touch, like a bruise, and the tooth doesn't hurt. I'm baffled by the extremeness of the pull-it-now suggestion. Like having a bruised arm and getting it amputated.

I didn't respond to the first antibiotic so after a couple of days the endodontist put me on another antibiotic.

Dang, what is WITH all these dentists who are reasonable and actually realize that sometimes an antibiotic isn't going to work against every known pathogen?

Whatever, Steph. I can see your diabetes from here.

Naw, man; that's my asstastic ass.

Why are you arguing? You don't have a dentical degree.

I am TOTALLY a denticalologist!

(But if there are non-diabetes conditions that may cause slow healing, it might become appropriate to rule them out. Depending on how the second opinion goes.)

Well, I'm a slow healer in general. And yet not diabetic. It would be more worrisome if the slow healing was new, but I've been like this for at least 20 years that I can remember.

"dentical degree" makes me laugh.

Me too! I keep going back to re-read 'cause it tickles me so.

Happy birthday Epic!

And good for you, Steph, for sticking to your guns. I'd get another opinion too.

"I think you're misunderstanding our relationship."

I want this on a t-shirt, which I will wear everywhere and save time by simply pointing at it.

I seriously love you all. I just read the last fifty posts and was reminded of this a lot.

Happy birthday, Epic!

That's kind of mine -- the soreness is at the way top of my gum. And it's only tender to the touch, like a bruise, and the tooth doesn't hurt. I'm baffled by the extremeness of the pull-it-now suggestion. Like having a bruised arm and getting it amputated.

Yes, tenderness is all I felt until the infection blew up (which was five months after the root canal). I'm amazed that a dentist would say to pull it out, especially without trying anything else.

There have been scandals in Thurston county about Dentist who pushed for unneeded extractions because it was higher profit than saving the tooth. And happened that all cases were Medicaid dentists and Denists who took the crappiest dental insurance. So definitely new Denist and if it turns out that the tooth can be saved you might consider filing a complaint.

My sister has offered to help me pay for the neutering, which will be $25/cat. I think I'm going to try and catch the kittens tomorrow if I don't have to work, and borrow some traps for the others. I really didn't want to get into this business, but I don't like watching kittens die and knowing that more will be born to die if I don't do something.

Keep an eye on your email, I know someone who may be able to help. Also, Tom and I will also totes help with the TNR if you can't get it done for free.

oh smonster, I totally feel for you on the kitten front. My MiL discovered a feral cat family in the alley near her old home and spent years trapping the various kittens, and eventually the momma as well, and bringing them in to a rescue facility that would neuter and return them. The cats were always too feral to become house pets, but at least she was able to end the cycle of more feral kittens.

Look around, there might be a rescue facility near you that can help defray costs and help with collecting the kittens.