There has been so much going on since my last post, but the main thing is something that I put a lot of prayer and soul searching into. I made a major decision concerning my health and began a process that is long and tiring but am sure will be worth it in the end.

On March 31, 2022, I had my remaining teeth extracted and eight implants placed. Deciding to have my teeth extracted was a painful process. It hurt me to my heart to think of myself at the age of 50, with no teeth in my mouth, even if it was for only 6 to 8 months. It was a necessary procedure. I lost two front teeth around 2019 and that was just the beginning.

I lost my smile.

That hit me hard. My remaining teeth started getting loose and eating eventually became a chore. Thankfully, I can go through this process with the Dallas VA Hospital instead of incurring the cost for implants myself. God knew how much this meant to me and He made a way! Fearful or not, I took a step forward and had the implants placed.

Now, it’s the waiting and healing game. My checkups have gone positively, and I am healing on schedule. I am told 6 to 7 months for total healing and then I can have abutments placed on top of the implants. Once that heals, I can start the process of being fitted for my Snap on Dentures. It even hurts me as I write that, but unless you’ve been through the process, you wouldn’t understand.

It’s amazing how time and age can affect you mentally. My depression took a real hit after my extractions and I’m thankful to have a loving husband who supports me and understands when things get hard. He tells me every day that I am beautiful, and it means the world to me to have him by my side. I thank God for him every day.

For anyone thinking of having this surgery and looking for a sign to do it or not: This is it! You only live once and it’s going to be ok.

You can do this and so can I!