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Second opinion

Update on the dental saga. Last week I went to Ryan and Sara's dentist for a second opinion. It is amazing how many people told me I should do that. I'm glad I did. The second dentist doesn't think I need the oral surgery. The more I thought about it, the more I was questioning this part. My grandmother has the same tooth that never came through (probably another genetic thing). She is 99 and it has never caused her a problem. I do need the other work. 

Finances are so stressful just now. Every time I turn around there's another bill, another hoop I have to jump through, another thing that is out-of-pocket and not covered by insurance. 

I'll be okay with the dental stuff. I will simply have to use my transplant fund money. I can't thank all of you enough who have donated to this fund, held fundraisers etc. You have no idea how important and how helpful your efforts have been through this process. 

No dental work means no transplant, so it's a transplant expense. What I'm worried about is that when I get sicker, I'm not going to be able to do the limited work I do now. I keep thinking about what I could do when I came home from the hospital and was on 10 to 15 liters of oxygen. Going to the bathroom and getting dressed were a project. When I get that way (and it is likely before I'm at the top of the transplant list), I can't see how I'm going to do any earning of income. I need that money to help pay living expenses when that happens. 

And then there's the recovery time and those expenses. 

Can we say stress? 

The other day I met with one of the folks at pulmonary rehab helping me on my weight loss plan. She is very nice, so don't take this the wrong way....but when we were discussing why I've hit the wall on progress, she asked me if I'm under stress. 

I had to work hard not to just burst out laughing. You think? I need a lung transplant. I've moved across the country where I don't have a ton of friends etc. I'm constantly worried about money. I've lost 11 friends to HPS in the last 12 months. Stress? Just maybe a little. Grin! 

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