Category Archives: Dentist

16-56 To Yuma

Posted on by
18

All I want for Christmas is my one front tooth

The day after I completed my camp hosting duties as I was eating I felt something weird and it turned out to be my front tooth.  I had my front tooth knocked out when I was 18 and 50+ years later the crown decided it had enough eating and came out.  A couple days later I had to attend a going away party for all the camp hosts.  What a bummer.

Since I am moving into Oregon I was able to get cheaper insurance then my costly AARP prescription drug plan and my medicare supplement by replacing them with a Kaiser Permanente plan.  For $41 they have a dental plan that covers minor dental and cleanings. However they were only able to offer me a flipper device which attaches via suction to your gum and gives you a temporary fix.  However you can’t eat with this device.

So I called Dr Eva Urena’s office in Algadones, MX to check on the possibility of getting an implant.  Sure enough they can do it and the cost would be about 1/4 the cost here in the US.  I decided to fly down to Yuma, get a motel for a few days with a rental car to get around in.  I booked everything on line, called the PetHotel (Petsmart) and made a reservation to board Chica.  Since Chica stayed at the PetHotel in Aliso Viejo, CA they were able to get all her records.

Left last Saturday at 11:00 am to take Chica to Tualatin, OR in plenty of time for my drive up to the Portland Airport at 4:55 pm.  Her is a pic of Chica seeing me off.  She was not very happy.  I always feel so bad whenever I leave her anywhere, even at the groomer.

IMG_1021

I got to the airport in plenty of time even with the heavy traffic due to an accident.

Flight #1 Portland to San Francisco

It took about 2 hours to get to San Francisco where I had a 3 hour 52 minute layover.  I walked around the airport for a while and noticed the first game of the World Series was on.  I found a nice place where I could pick up a sandwich and beer to watch the end of the game.  Wouldn’t you know it but the game went into extra innings and I had finished my sandwich and beer.  I figured I ought to get another beer so I could continue watching the game.  I sipped that but it was gone and the game still going on.  I left the bar and found a seat in the waiting are where I could still see the game.  It was a great game but too long with KC finally winning.

Flight #2 San Francisco to San Diego

At 10:40 pm the 2nd plane took off for San Diego and landed there at 12:16 am (now into Wednesday).  This was going to be the worst part of my journey.  I have a 6 hour and 14 minute layover.  I was upstairs in the boarding area getting my phone and computer charged up.  The chairs are also much more comfortable up there.  Then a policeman comes up and tells me I can’t wait up there as they are cleaning the area so I have to go downstairs.  NO COMFORTABLE SEATING DOWNSTAIRS.  Plus I have to wait over 6 hours until my next flight.  Nothing is open and there is no place to plug in.  They don’t even have a vending machine.  That was probably the longest 6 hours I have spent.

Flight #3 San Diego to Phoenix

Finally at about 5:30 am I made my way back through the TSA area for the second time on my journey.  YUK !  The plane took off at 6:30 am and landed in Phoenix at 7:53 am.  Then I had to hike to the complete opposite end of the airport to get my next flight.  My layover was only 52 minutes and I was able to get a strong cup of coffee to keep me going.

Flight #4 Phoenix to Yuma

Finally I was off to my destination in Yuma at 8:45 am landing at 9:51 am.  From there I walked to the Hertz booth where I had reserved a car on-line.  I am glad I did reserve it as everyone behind me weren’t able to get a car until late in the afternoon.  Picked up the car and off I went.

Too early for check-in.

I was going to check-in clean up and brush my teeth before going to the dentist, but realized I couldn’t check into the motel until 3:00pm.  What a bummer!!!!!

I decided after traveling all night I had better brush my teeth before going to the dentist.  I found a McDonalds and grabbed my tooth brush and tooth paste and used their bathroom.  I also bought breakfast there as I was starving.

Off to Algadones

I made my dental appointment for 12:00 pm so after eating and brushing my teeth I headed to Algadones.  Dr Eva needed a CT Scan of my mouth in order to decide how to proceed with my implant.  Her office ordered  someone to pick me up, take me to have my CT Scan and drive me back to their office.  All this only took about 1/2 hour.  Then she and a Periodontist conferred on my implant.  It seems that there was still a portion of my root still left in my gum.  They decided to cut into my gum remove the remaining root and then replace it with bone and the implant at the same time.  YUK!!!  They wouldn’t be able to do this until tomorrow.

Early Thursday I was the first appointment.  A specialist worked with her to complete the process and I was out of there and heading back to my room to heal.  They gave me pain medication and antibiotics.  The implant went well, but they wanted me to return Friday morning for a follow-up.   That is one of the main advantages of the dentist in Algadones.  They will do anything to accomodate you.  Dr. Eva knew that I had flown down to Yuma expressly for the dental work and would be flying back on Saturday.

Anyway I got everything done and now just have to wait 4 months to get my permanent tooth while my mouth heals.

Leaving Saturday for Portland

I only have three flights to contend with on Saturday and will be home at 5:29 pm. Then to Tualatin to pick up my baby.  I can’t wait.

Then in 4 months turn around and do it all again.  Hopefully fewer then seven flights.

 

Life Since Mittry Lake

Posted on by
8

Paradise Casino

After I left Mittry Lake I headed to the Paradise Casino.  From there I drove into Los Algadones, MX to have my teeth cleaned by my dentist Dr Eva Urena.  All went well and I didn’t have to have any other work done. I got out of there paying only $35.  Not too shabby!

While I was over in MX I decided to have my hearing checked out.  I found the place my friends from a couple of years ago got their hearing aids.  They had lots of good things to say about them so went in without an appointment and they said to return for a hearing test in about an hour.  I love the fact that you can go in any office without an appointment and they will get you in so fast.

My hearing test results were exactly what I have thought for some time.  My hearing is going down the drain.  She recommended several types of hearing aids including one that only costs $695.  However she mentioned that I would probably be in there in a year or two upgrading to new hearing aids.  I decided to go with the better hearing aids.  I gave her half of the amount and told her I would be back in a week or two to pick them up and be fitted.

My teeth cheaper the Chica’s

The last thing I would have to do in Yuma was getting Chica’s teeth cleaned.  A vet in CA told me that she had Periodontal disease and quoted me a price anywhere from $850 to $1100.  YUK!!!  I took the quote to the Animal Hospital of Yuma and they quoted my a price of $470 for the same procedure.  However they wanted to see her first before going ahead with anything.  I took her in and they said she had a mild case of Periodontal disease and needed a tooth extracted.  But what she had could be cleared up with a deep cleaning which would only run about $185.  What a difference.

Anyway I took her in and since I had her teeth cleaned there last year, they gave me a discount and only charged me $165.  Now she is good to go for another year.

Let me see – My teeth – $35  Chica’s teeth – $165.  DUH!!

Scattering of Ashes

I then returned to CA and stayed at O’Neill Park.  My sister Bev had found online someone who would scatter my parents ashes in the Saddleback Mountains.  How cool is that.  We originally planned it for February 28, but it was raining and overcast and we had to postpone it until March 7.  I got up early on the 7th and took a bunch of stuff over to a picnic site where we would be able to see the plane when it flew over scattering their ashes.  Once the family showed up we were all ready to view it.  She circled several times before scattering the ashes.  It was really a beautiful site.  I tried to get pics but they didn’t come out too good.  We combined both my father’s and mother’s ashes together.  It was their wishes to have their ashes scattered over Saddleback Mountain and we were so happy that we finally carried out their wishes.  I will never see Saddleback Mountain again without remembering this day and the beauty of seeing their ashes float down to the trees.

We then spent the afternoon roasting hot dogs and eating a great picnic lunch.  It was fun seeing everyone again.

Back in CA

I wanted to see if I could qualify for Lasic surgery on my eyes.  I HATE wearing glasses and was hoping I could have the surgery so I would only need glasses for reading.  I made an appointment and went in to see the eye doctor.  I found out that I have cataracts and astigmatism in both eyes so the doctor suggested I have cataract surgery and he would also replace my lens to correct the astigmatism.  He would do one eye at a time with a period of time between eyes.  I was ready to go.

Then he stated that he would have to get an OK from my primary physician.  My previous primary physician was with Kaiser Permanente who I have not see since I started full timing almost 5 years ago.  I usually went to Renown Care in Reno each year and they would renew my prescriptions.

I checked on the Internet to find a Primary Care Physician in the area and I found a real gem.  I was able to make an appointment on line and was notified by his office almost immediately.  I went in and he checked me out but wanted to run a CT Scan of my heart and blood work as well.  The CT Scan came back with a 324 result so he suggested I seen a Cardiologist as well as a Pulmonary doctor because he could hear some noise in my lungs.  I went to the Cardiologist and after speaking some time with her she wanted me to take a treadmill test.

I finally got the OK from my new Primary Physician and made the appointments with the eye doctor.  I had to go in and get further measurements of my eyes and scheduled the right eye to be done on the 2nd and the left eye on the 8th.  There is usually a two week wait between eyes but he knew I would be headed up north for a summer job so he made an exception.

Back in Yuma 

After much prodding and poking by doctors I returned to Yuma to pick up my hearing aids.  That went very well but they didn’t order the charger for me as I requested so I will have to return later.  I also stopped in to see Gayle and Jim at the space they are renting in Yuma while their get dental work completed.  It was a really nice area and very scenic since they are so close to the mountains.  Chica also enjoyed seeing Sophie and Elvis and had fun on a walk with them.  I stupidly didn’t get any pics while I was there.

Heading to Phoenix

I was going to spend a few more days in Yuma, but when the temperature hit 94 and we have no hookups at the casino I decided to go where I have full hookups.  More on that later.

Back to Yuma

Posted on by
6

What a pain

I left Tempe, AZ and headed back to Yuma for another dentist appointment.  After I had my wisdom tooth pulled on Mar 6 I continued to have pain whenever I drank any cold/hot liquids or ate ice cream.  I had call Dr Eva’s office and mentioned that I was still getting pain.  They suggested that it was only temporary and that I could take Ibuprofen to ease the pain.  The Ibuprofen did help with the pain but about 4 hours later I would have to take another one.

I was hoping that it was only temporary but it was not going to go away.  I then called Dr. Eva’s office again and scheduled an appointment.  So I decided to stay at the Paradise Casino parking lot since it was close to Algadones.  I was in her office at 8:00am and was her first appointment.  She looked at the space where my wisdom tooth was extracted to see if there was any problem.  She assured me that the area around the wisdom tooth had healed properly, but thought that the pain was coming from another tooth.

She called Dr Hernandez office which was right next door to her office and set up an appointment within an hour for him to see me.  He specializes in root canals and he would find out what tooth was bothering me

Cracked tooth

The problem was a cracked tooth very near my missing wisdom tooth.  I inquired as to how a tooth gets cracked and he gave me an answer that seems to fit us retired folks.  OLD AGE!  Any way he performed a root canal on the tooth and I was out the door in no time.  After my mouth calmed down from the Novacaine I noticed that I no longer had any pain.  Great!  Now an ice cold beer tastes delicious!!!

I have to return to him next Tuesday and his office also made an appointment with Dr. Eva’s office for me to see her after.  Hopefully I will be out of there on Tuesday and headed out of town.

I spent a whole lot more then I budgeted for dental, but it was still much cheaper then having it done in the US.  Plus I wanted to make sure I didn’t have any problems this summer while camp hosting.

Paradise Casino

The temps were running in the mid 80’s.  A couple of days it was very windy which was great since it cooled everything down.

Chica an`d I took a walk around the area a bit.  You can see the Colorado River with a nice little park.

DSC_0274

DSC_0275

The RV parking lot is rather barren and not too many people left.

DSC_0272

DSC_0277

Her is Chica relaxing after a hike around the grounds.

DSC_0278

New Flooring Looks Great

Posted on by
13

Long day at the dentist

Thursday was a really long day for me at the dentist.  I left Hot Springs LTVA about 8:30 to make my appointment at 10:30.  There was an hour time change when entering California and the dentist goes by Arizona time.  I got right in on time and they started with my new bridge.  No matter what they did it did not fit right as it was too high when I bit down.

They called the lab and they sent someone over to discuss it.  They decided it would have to be remade so they had to take another impression and then sent it back to the lab.  The dental assistant told me it would take at least another hour before they would get it back and that I could wait in the lobby.  I mentioned that I also had to have a wisdom tooth removed.  I then was taken to another chair and they prepped me for the removal.

Pulling that wisdom tooth was a frickin bummer!!!!!  She had to break it into several pieces and cut the gum as well.  I didn’t feel any pain, but heard a lot of crunching noises as she was pulling it.  I needed 3 stiches to sew up the cut in the gum.

Then it was off to the lobby, where I must have read every National Geographic magazine they had.  I got these pics of the lobby from Debbie when she was there a few weeks earlier.

Dr. Eva's Waiting Area

Dr. Eva's Reception Desk

It was beginning to get very hot and the air conditioner clicked on and soon it was getting rather chilly.  So I waited outside in the courtyard.

Courtyard 2

Courtyard 3

Finally the new bridge came in and off I went.  I am hoping I won’t have to see her again for another year.  Should anyone ever need any dental work done I highly recommend Dr Eva Urena on B Street.

Flooring almost complete

Peter continued working on my flooring while I was at the dentist.  It is almost complete except for the entrance.  What a huge difference this makes.  However we did run into some obstacles along the way such as this small box right in back of the passenger seat.

DSC_0078

We just put the lid back on it and left it.  It is behind my first chair and cannot be seen anyway.The biggest problem we faced were the bolts that attach the house to the truck chassis.  They were all along the passenger side of the rig and stuck up about 1/4 inch from the floor.

DSC_0083

  In many spots the tile would fit over it nicely but there was also one right at the entrance.  I plan on purchasing a thick rug to cover it up and prevent anyone from tripping on it.

DSC_0079

Aside from that everything looks really good and I am very pleased with the new look.  It is so much better then the old carpet and much easier to keep clean.

DSC_0097

You can read more about how Peter of American Traveler Fame installed my new flooring at his blog post  I cannot begin to thank Peter enough for all the great work he has done.

I don’t know why RV manufacturers continue to put carpeting in RVs.  For us full timers it isn’t really practical.  Many of us spend a great deal of time in the desert and carry sand and dirt in on our shoes which gets in the carpeting.

Desert Sunset

I again had a beautiful desert sunset to end my day.

DSC_0087

Vet visit, Lettuce Days and Installing New Flooring

Posted on by
8

Please don’t take me there!

Well Friday was Chica’s annual vet visit.  I had called the day before and got a 2:15 appointment.  How lucky I thought.  Until I opened their door.  There must have been 25 people in the waiting room with their pets.  There were dogs of all sizes and shapes.  Unfortunately there was no place to sit down as all the seating had already been taken.  One idiot thought it would be really neat to show off to everyone how his dog could bark on command.  DUH!!!

I had to stand up the entire time before getting in to see the vet.  Fortunately they called our name early and Chica seemed all happy to see all the people who worked at the animal hospital.

I took her to the Foothills Animal Hospital on the advise of Debbie and Gayle.  They had been there previously in the week and really liked them.  I would highly recommend them as well.  They are very professional and don’t even charge for an office visit, unlike the other vet I took her to last year.

The nurse came in and took her to get a pedicure and were back after a few minutes.  Then she returned to have the Doctor look at her.

IMG_0464

I thinks she spotted those needles and decided this was not a good thing.

IMG_0465

The vet said she is in good health although starting to get a bit pudgy, so he had me cut back on the wet food I mix in with the dry food.  He also said that she needs to come back for a teeth cleaning.

Lettuce Days

Sunday Chris and I went to the Lettuce Days in Yuma.  It was a very neat event and lots of informative information about farming in the Yuma area.  They had everything from Giant tractors to lots of wonderful produce.

DSC_0051

Her is a great pic of Chris and the Dole Pineapple.

DSC_0056

Then we met this poor sap who played music for donations to help fix his car.

DSC_0064

It was a great day.

Back to the dentist

Monday I returned to the dentist where she removed two crowns and took impressions for my new bridge.  YUK!  I hate that stuff they use for making impressions.  I now only have one more appointment to install the bridge and pull a wisdom tooth.  That should really be a blast from the past!!!

Off to Hot Springs LTVA

Tuesday i left Mittry Lake to head on over to the Hot Springs LTVA just outside of Holtville, CA.  After I posted that I had got an estimate for removing the carpeting and replacing it with a nice flooring material I received an email from Peter of American Traveler fame.  He offered to remove the carpeting and replace it with a vinyl flooring product.  WOW!! What great friends I have!

Peter and Bea live on Campobella Island in New Brunswick, Canada.  They travel in the winter to the southwest were they spend approximately 6 months.  I have known them since Mar, 2011 and without making any plans have run into them every year since.  This was the first time we planned to meet each other.

I couldn’t believe the offer from Peter.  So now I am parked at the Hot Springs right near Peter and Bea while we work on my flooring.  Peter drove me into the Home Depot in El Centro and I selected a vinyl flooring.  Then it was back to my rig to remove the carpeting.  It came out fairly easy, but then we had the job of removing all the tacks that Lazy Daze uses.  Lots and lots of tacks.

Her is a pic of Peter ready to attack  the removal of the carpeting.

DSC_0067

Of course Chicka had to help too.

DSC_0069

DSC_0071

Chicka has a new place for her bowl.

DSC_0072

More pics of the flooring after the carpet was removed.  Now it is nothing but pulling out tacks.

DSC_0074

DSC_0075

Now Peter is laying the vinyl tiles, with Chicka’s assistance of course.

DSC_0084

DSC_0086

Peter was able to lay four rows of tiles before we called it quits about 3:00pm.  We then relaxed a bit and then headed down to the hot springs were we took a refreshing dip in the hot water.  It was a busy day and I cannot thank Peter enough for tackling this project.

 

OUCH!!!!!!

Posted on by
8

Tooth Pulled

Tuesday I went to my dentist Dr Eva Urena in Algadones, MX and had a tooth pulled.  *$?@^!  It was not at all fun and no I did not stop and have a Margarita on the way back home.  Now I have to wait 3 weeks for my mouth to heal and then she will remove two crowns and take impressions for a bridge.  After getting my tooth pulled I had to go to the Pharmacia for antibiotics and pain killers.  Then unlike the previous time I was in Algadones the line going back into the US was wrapped around the block.  Oh well, I am glad that is over.

https://i0.wp.com/research.ncl.ac.uk/behindasmile/images/forceppull.gif

Beautiful Sunset

Last night was a great night for the sunset.  The few clouds in the ski really accented the setting sun.

DSC_0914 DSC_0916

DSC_0920

Lazy Days in a Lazy Daze

The weather is really getting hot.  It is supposed to go up to 89 today and then into the 90’s this weekend.  But a lot of the time we have a nice breeze off of the lake.  Chica is certainly taking it easy as you can see.

DSC_0931

She loves the sun pouring in through the window.

Algadones for dental work

Posted on by
8

Not the Dentist!!!

Before I got to Mittry Lake I called the same dentist (Dr Eva Urena) to get an appointment.  They weren’t able to fit me in for at least a week.  Then I mentioned that my friends also had appointments with her so they told me I could come in the same time as their appointments and they would fit me in.  How accommodating!!!  So early Thursday morning (8am)  Debbie, Gayle and I headed to the dentist.  Here I am waiting for my appointment.  Do you think the cross has any significance?

Jim at the Dentist

They cleaned my teeth (only $35) and checked out a couple of problem teeth.  One was a wisdom tooth that I still have and she said they would pull that ($80).  The second problem was more severe.  I have 2 old crowns that need to be removed ($30) and a tooth between them that also needs to be removed ($70).  Then I have to wait 3 weeks to heal and I will then be fitted with a 3 unit permanent bridge ($660).  YUK!!!

Fortunately I have the time so I set up an appointment for Tuesday to have the teeth removed.

After Dr Urena told me what had to be done and gave me the estimated cost I told Gayle the bad news.  She mentioned that maybe I might want to get a second opinion.  I got the name of another dentist that others had recommended and called them.  I let them know that the tooth was really bothering me and I needed to see the dentist ASAP.  Even though I didn’t have an appointment and I had never seen the dentist before they told me to come right over.

Within a 1/2 hour I got an opinion from 2 dentists that were working in this office.  They also said I would have to have 2 new crowns ($700) and possibly a root canal as well ($350) depending on what they found after removing the crowns.  I decided to go with the first dentist as it seemed like a more permanent fix and less costly as well.  She came highly recommended and I have confidence that she is a good dentist.

As I was leaving the second dentist office, I ran into Chris who was also getting dental work done.  What a coincidence.

IMG_0451

I was surprised how easy it is to get an dental appointment in Algadones.  Just tell them you are in pain.  HA!

Dental Pain Killers

Chris and I both went back to the first dentist office where Debbie and Gayle were still waiting.  It was almost an hour until Gayle’s appointment so Chris and I headed downtown to check out a cantina.  We found a table and I ordered a margarita and Chris got a diet coke.  My margarita was huge.

IMG_0453

Then Debbie and Gayle caught up with us and we went back across the border.  I remember going to Algadones in 2012 and it took over an hour to go back across the border.  This time we walked right thru without a wait.

I only had my phone which does not take great pics.  On top of that I got my finger in the top right corner.  DUH!

IMG_0454

I wasn’t planning on spending so much for dental work, but had I gone to a dentist in the states it probably would have cost me a fortune.  Now I have another appointment for Tuesday morning, which I am not looking forward to.  But it will be nice when it is all done.

Beware of Dog!!!

Mary Gardner who also has a great website sent me this pic of Chica while we were in Quartzsite.  It was taken while we were watching the football game on the TV set up outside my rig.  Chica just had to come out and join us.

Chica9453

JimChica9454

Thanks Mary for sending me those great pics