Monday, December 24, 2012
Happy Yule, Merry Christmas
Wishing everyone and their
families a bright and happy Yule / Christmas ( or whatever you celebrate
). Have a safe and wonderful holiday.
Holiday break
Apocalypse survived. In process of taking a few days off to relax a
little, hence my absence. Will answer emails, messages, etc after the
holiday.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Weather alerts
My smartphone just startled the daylights out of me. I was in the other room and suddenly heard something that sounded like the national weather service / emergency broadcast tone, but the TV is not on. So I rushed back in here to find out what was making the noise, only to find it blaring from my phone. Yay blizzard alert.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Ember hurt herself
Worried about Ember, my service dog. This past weekend when we went to
our friend's house, Ember and my friend's service dog were playing in
the yard and roughing around, and Ember ended up running into the chain
link fence, catching her foot on one side. There were no cuts or obvious
damage, though it was tender and a bit red when it first happened.
She's been limping on it and favoring it since. We haven't really gone
anywhere or done anything since Saturday when it happened, trying to
give her time to rest. I tried wrapping it but that didn't make any
difference.
She's still limping. As a mobility assist service dog, I rely on her being able-bodied when I have bad days and need her to help steady / brace me when I get sore, fatigued, or suddenly dizzy. We had to delay going to the post office and grocery shopping because the lines were so long and store so crowded, and I didn't want to force her to try and exert herself for such a long period of time. I'm hoping it is just a sprain or something and just tender. She doesn't cry out or wince a lot when the area is manipulated, and there is no swelling or heat / inflammation at the spot.
I'm just dreading if it doesn't get better within the next few days because I'll have to make a trip to the vet to get x-rays to see what's wrong. I was still paying off Wasabi's vet bill, so I am sure the vet will want more of that before they treat Ember. Cost of x-rays will probably be $200+ for that view/area. So I might be forced to use some of the money that was supposed to be used for my oral surgery for paying for the vet bill instead. But I don't want my poor dog baby to be in pain. I need her to be well again so she can continue doing her job helping me.
She's still limping. As a mobility assist service dog, I rely on her being able-bodied when I have bad days and need her to help steady / brace me when I get sore, fatigued, or suddenly dizzy. We had to delay going to the post office and grocery shopping because the lines were so long and store so crowded, and I didn't want to force her to try and exert herself for such a long period of time. I'm hoping it is just a sprain or something and just tender. She doesn't cry out or wince a lot when the area is manipulated, and there is no swelling or heat / inflammation at the spot.
I'm just dreading if it doesn't get better within the next few days because I'll have to make a trip to the vet to get x-rays to see what's wrong. I was still paying off Wasabi's vet bill, so I am sure the vet will want more of that before they treat Ember. Cost of x-rays will probably be $200+ for that view/area. So I might be forced to use some of the money that was supposed to be used for my oral surgery for paying for the vet bill instead. But I don't want my poor dog baby to be in pain. I need her to be well again so she can continue doing her job helping me.
Holiday Cards - Last Call
Last call for addresses for Yule / Christmas / Holiday cards! Email me at leopardwolf@gmail.com with your mailing address if you'd like one.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Oral Surgery Update 1 - HUGE THANK YOU
I was away for the weekend, so I didn't have a chance to write until
now. I wanted to extend a HUGE HUGE thank you to Swandog & Sayh,
Wertle, Ashes-Sona, Caine, PickledGinger, Dogsoul, and others I may have missed for
re-posting and spreading word about my situation and how badly I needed
help to afford the oral surgery. Huge thanks to the many people across
the art communities on DevArt, FA, and beyond who have stepped forward
to help during my time of medical need. Your outpouring of support and
generosity has had me in tears. I had honestly given up hope. But thanks
to the people who have purchased arts and crafts from me, and people
who were kind and generous enough to donate, you all have helped raise
$750 to go toward paying the $1,151 balance with Mayo so that they'll
allow me to have this oral surgery procedure done. I only need another
$400 to pay it off completely. I am still waiting to hear back from
Mayo's patient services and my dentist and the oral surgeon on the
referral.
A little more good news is that I *FINALLY* got a notice from the state services that supposedly I was approved for some sort of medical coverage they offer. I am not sure which one it is, or how much it will cover if anything at all. I am praying it will cover a portion of whatever this oral surgery will cost. I spoke with them and they said I should be getting an info packet in the mail that I need to fill out and return. I am really hoping it comes today. It's so frustrating it can't just be done over the phone or online so I can just get the much needed relief from these damned teeth. I'm near ready to take a pair of pliers to the damned things. I am almost out of antibiotics and Vicoprofen, and I am not sure if they'll give me refills. But with the holiday so close, and Mayo being notoriously slow at *everything*, I doubt I am getting in to see anyone before Christmas.
I have a lot of catching up to do, orders to mail, and a lot of people to contact and thank. I will be trying to do so for everyone who helped and offered well wishes, but I only have email notices and comment notices to go by, so if I somehow miss anyone I am sorry. Please know that I am extremely thankful for all of the help from all of you. I would like to show my thanks by offering some form of art to those who donated and didn't buy anything. It may not be until after the holidays that I can make the art, but I will be trying to contact you all to thank you personally.
Every little bit really can make a difference. I will post further updates as I know more.
A little more good news is that I *FINALLY* got a notice from the state services that supposedly I was approved for some sort of medical coverage they offer. I am not sure which one it is, or how much it will cover if anything at all. I am praying it will cover a portion of whatever this oral surgery will cost. I spoke with them and they said I should be getting an info packet in the mail that I need to fill out and return. I am really hoping it comes today. It's so frustrating it can't just be done over the phone or online so I can just get the much needed relief from these damned teeth. I'm near ready to take a pair of pliers to the damned things. I am almost out of antibiotics and Vicoprofen, and I am not sure if they'll give me refills. But with the holiday so close, and Mayo being notoriously slow at *everything*, I doubt I am getting in to see anyone before Christmas.
I have a lot of catching up to do, orders to mail, and a lot of people to contact and thank. I will be trying to do so for everyone who helped and offered well wishes, but I only have email notices and comment notices to go by, so if I somehow miss anyone I am sorry. Please know that I am extremely thankful for all of the help from all of you. I would like to show my thanks by offering some form of art to those who donated and didn't buy anything. It may not be until after the holidays that I can make the art, but I will be trying to contact you all to thank you personally.
Every little bit really can make a difference. I will post further updates as I know more.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Oral Surgery Needed - Please Read, Pass Along
Please
take the time to read this post ( and accompanying links ) fully, as
all details and methods that have already been tried are described
within.
I am still trying to raise money so I can have this desperately needed oral surgery done. So far from a few people buying art and jewelry from me, and a few generous donations, I currently have $300 to put toward the procedure.
To answer all the questions I know I will get in advance and have already gotten: Yes, I have applied for state medical aid and have been waiting, and waiting, and I am still waiting and it may be another month or more before I find out if they'll approve it. I have tried reaching out and searching for local groups, charities, etc that might be able to help and so far not had any luck. I don't have anyone else left *to ask*, that I have not already asked. The only reason I have not tried a kickstarter or gofundme or similar thing yet is because of lack of response I got from trying to ask for help before, when I was offering art and things I make in return for money offered.
I can't go to any non-hospital oral clinic to have this done because it is *not* a normal extraction. I have 3 complicated extractions that need to be done, and due to health issues ( heart rate and blood pressure issues ) I have no choice but to be under hospitalized monitored care for the IV-sedation. Non-hospital clinics will *not* do the work because in my situation it is potentially life threatening if they did and something went wrong.
I am unemployed and without insurance right now, my unemployment benefits ran out last month. I have asked at all the oral surgery places I have gone to trying to get this taken care of, and none of them have told me that any free clinics or dental schools exist anywhere nearby. There might be something 2hrs+ away from here, but none of them are free.
I am currently on antibiotics and narcotic pain killer because regular over the counter pain meds stopped working to relieve the pain. I tried weaning myself off the pain killer after being on the antibiotics for a few days, but as soon as it gets out of my system, the pain comes back so sharply I literally see red at points. If I take too much Vicoprofen, I am a zombie, and if I don't take enough, I can't function because of the pain. I have Fibromyalgia,Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and Dysautonomia, so I feel pain much more severely than normal people. This problem has made it difficult to eat and severely disrupted my sleep ( it wakes me up from dead sleep with nerve pain throbbing ), and lack of sleep is causing my other health issues to flare up.
My current balance with Mayo Clinic is at $1,151.63 from previous medical testing, surgery procedures, etc. That is what I owe them before they will allow any new procedures/testing/medical visits.
My oral surgery referral to the hospital is pending, so I am waiting to hear back on an exact price since it will be 3 difficult extractions + anesthesiology costs and hospital monitoring costs.
The original quote I was given for 2 normal extractions in non-hospital clinic was at $1,365 minimum. So now that it is 3 difficult extractions under monitored conditions and IV-sedation because of my medical conditions ( heart rate and blood pressure issues ), I imagine it will cost quite a bit more. Maybe twice as much, but they have not told me exact cost yet.
You can read a little more about it and see a picture of how bad it is here ( this was before xrays were taken):
http://leopardwolf.
And another post here ( this is after xrays and oral surgeon told me I would have to be referred to hospital ):
http://leopardwolf.
I realize people are probably doubtful that I could raise the necessary funds, which may be why hardly anyone offered ( aside from the obvious not having anything to give). I don't expect anyone to shell out the full amount, I don't even expect anyone to give more than $50 if even that. I am *not* asking for a free hand out.I want to sell my art, jewelry, sculptures, dreamcatchers, pyrography, real media paintings, etc or anything else I can make, or offer some form of gratitude art in return for help offered.I have been trying, and trying, and trying to sell my art and everything in between so people feel like they are at least getting something in return. If 20 people spent $50 for art or whatever, that'd be $1,000 right there. Granted most people can probably only afford $20. But reverse those numbers, and if 50 people got $20 of art, still $1,000 toward the cost.
You can see examples of things I have made on my DevArt gallery:
http://leopardwolf.deviantart.com
You can also see some things I have for sale in my Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeopardWolf
I will be posting more finished art and buy-able things over the next few days.
My PayPal Address is: leopardwolf@gmail.com
These are only examples of the many different things I can make. I am willing to try *anything* at this point, even things I might not normally do. Please feel free to ask if you'd like something made that you don't see in the gallery or shop.
I think if I can at least come up with the $1,151, I might be able to talk Mayo's billing department into letting me have the work done, and hopefully not demanding payment for the procedure up front since they know I am unemployed and without insurance.
I always feel guilty having to try and sell my art soul and then beg and borrow from friends or family for stuff like this. I feel like a burden on everyone, and I am sure people are tired of hearing about it, even if the circumstances are different this time. All the money I have had to waste on my medical issues, medical testing and procedures, and medications. I can't describe how much I hate myself and sometimes wonder if I'd be better off not existing at all.
I *greatly* appreciate anyone wishing to help, in any way you can help. Even if you cannot help financially, please take a moment to re-post this? Maybe someone out there is still looking to donate to a good cause for the holiday, and might see it.
Heartfelt thanks for taking the time to read this. Sorry if any of it was disjointed, but my brain is foggy from the combo of pain and pain meds.
I am still trying to raise money so I can have this desperately needed oral surgery done. So far from a few people buying art and jewelry from me, and a few generous donations, I currently have $300 to put toward the procedure.
To answer all the questions I know I will get in advance and have already gotten: Yes, I have applied for state medical aid and have been waiting, and waiting, and I am still waiting and it may be another month or more before I find out if they'll approve it. I have tried reaching out and searching for local groups, charities, etc that might be able to help and so far not had any luck. I don't have anyone else left *to ask*, that I have not already asked. The only reason I have not tried a kickstarter or gofundme or similar thing yet is because of lack of response I got from trying to ask for help before, when I was offering art and things I make in return for money offered.
I can't go to any non-hospital oral clinic to have this done because it is *not* a normal extraction. I have 3 complicated extractions that need to be done, and due to health issues ( heart rate and blood pressure issues ) I have no choice but to be under hospitalized monitored care for the IV-sedation. Non-hospital clinics will *not* do the work because in my situation it is potentially life threatening if they did and something went wrong.
I am unemployed and without insurance right now, my unemployment benefits ran out last month. I have asked at all the oral surgery places I have gone to trying to get this taken care of, and none of them have told me that any free clinics or dental schools exist anywhere nearby. There might be something 2hrs+ away from here, but none of them are free.
I am currently on antibiotics and narcotic pain killer because regular over the counter pain meds stopped working to relieve the pain. I tried weaning myself off the pain killer after being on the antibiotics for a few days, but as soon as it gets out of my system, the pain comes back so sharply I literally see red at points. If I take too much Vicoprofen, I am a zombie, and if I don't take enough, I can't function because of the pain. I have Fibromyalgia,Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and Dysautonomia, so I feel pain much more severely than normal people. This problem has made it difficult to eat and severely disrupted my sleep ( it wakes me up from dead sleep with nerve pain throbbing ), and lack of sleep is causing my other health issues to flare up.
My current balance with Mayo Clinic is at $1,151.63 from previous medical testing, surgery procedures, etc. That is what I owe them before they will allow any new procedures/testing/medical visits.
My oral surgery referral to the hospital is pending, so I am waiting to hear back on an exact price since it will be 3 difficult extractions + anesthesiology costs and hospital monitoring costs.
The original quote I was given for 2 normal extractions in non-hospital clinic was at $1,365 minimum. So now that it is 3 difficult extractions under monitored conditions and IV-sedation because of my medical conditions ( heart rate and blood pressure issues ), I imagine it will cost quite a bit more. Maybe twice as much, but they have not told me exact cost yet.
You can read a little more about it and see a picture of how bad it is here ( this was before xrays were taken):
http://leopardwolf.
And another post here ( this is after xrays and oral surgeon told me I would have to be referred to hospital ):
http://leopardwolf.
I realize people are probably doubtful that I could raise the necessary funds, which may be why hardly anyone offered ( aside from the obvious not having anything to give). I don't expect anyone to shell out the full amount, I don't even expect anyone to give more than $50 if even that. I am *not* asking for a free hand out.I want to sell my art, jewelry, sculptures, dreamcatchers, pyrography, real media paintings, etc or anything else I can make, or offer some form of gratitude art in return for help offered.I have been trying, and trying, and trying to sell my art and everything in between so people feel like they are at least getting something in return. If 20 people spent $50 for art or whatever, that'd be $1,000 right there. Granted most people can probably only afford $20. But reverse those numbers, and if 50 people got $20 of art, still $1,000 toward the cost.
You can see examples of things I have made on my DevArt gallery:
http://leopardwolf.deviantart.com
You can also see some things I have for sale in my Etsy store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeopardWolf
I will be posting more finished art and buy-able things over the next few days.
My PayPal Address is: leopardwolf@gmail.com
These are only examples of the many different things I can make. I am willing to try *anything* at this point, even things I might not normally do. Please feel free to ask if you'd like something made that you don't see in the gallery or shop.
I think if I can at least come up with the $1,151, I might be able to talk Mayo's billing department into letting me have the work done, and hopefully not demanding payment for the procedure up front since they know I am unemployed and without insurance.
I always feel guilty having to try and sell my art soul and then beg and borrow from friends or family for stuff like this. I feel like a burden on everyone, and I am sure people are tired of hearing about it, even if the circumstances are different this time. All the money I have had to waste on my medical issues, medical testing and procedures, and medications. I can't describe how much I hate myself and sometimes wonder if I'd be better off not existing at all.
I *greatly* appreciate anyone wishing to help, in any way you can help. Even if you cannot help financially, please take a moment to re-post this? Maybe someone out there is still looking to donate to a good cause for the holiday, and might see it.
Heartfelt thanks for taking the time to read this. Sorry if any of it was disjointed, but my brain is foggy from the combo of pain and pain meds.
Silly 12/12/12 post
It is now 12:12am on 12/12/12 ( CST anyway ). Thus I contribute to silly posts yet to come.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Keep it going
Trying so hard to concentrate between tooth/jaw pain and hip/lower back
pain to sit here and keep working on art stuff, processing pictures,
getting stuff ready to post. Too much Vicoprofen makes me zombie and
pass out. Too little and tooth hurts too much. Ember and Raven are
trying so hard to cheer me up. Sage and Wasabi are acting as good foot
warmers and pillows when I have to lay on the couch and take a break
from sitting upright.
Another Dental Update, Bad News
Now on antibiotics and
Vicoprofen, but pain comes right back the moment I don't take enough of
the pain med. Things took an unexpected turn for the worse. Originally I
was supposed to have root canal for 2 teeth, but teeth seem too
badly damaged and not save-able ( waiting for oral surgeon to confirm
this after he speaks with some colleges). A normal extraction is
dangerous because of my
teeth/nerve positioning and other medical stuff. So they'd have to do
some sort
of different extraction which leaves part of root in place somehow, only
removing portions of damaged teeth, and they also think it is a good
idea to try
and do same with wisdom tooth right there ( grown in sideways), to avoid
it becoming an issue later
on (as they expect it might ) and having to go through a second surgery
for it.
So it went from 2 root canals to 3 partial extractions under full
sedation. Because
of my Dysautonomia ( low blood pressure/rapid heart rate) it would be
dangerous
/ potentially life threatening to not have sedation done by
anesthesiologist under full hospital monitoring equipment. Independent
oral surgery clinics will not take that risk. Which means I will have
no choice but to be referred to Mayo Clinic / St. Mary's Hospital, who I
still owe money, and just like once before, they will want that money
before they will do this procedure. And now that I am without insurance
and unemployed, they will probably also want the cost of the procedure (
or part of it ) up front. Thus the price I was originally quoted just
skyrocketed.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Yule / Christmas / Holiday Cards & Gifts
I have cards and
stamps ready! Now I just need addresses. I am also trying to rebuild my
address book with contact info and birthdays, etc. Even if you think I
should have your current info, give it to me anyway to be sure! If you
would like to exchange cards / gifts now or in the future, please
*EMAIL* me your current mailing address and info to
leopardwolf@gmail.com
I will respond to you with my own contact info.
Thank you!
I will respond to you with my own contact info.
Thank you!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Dental Update, Fender Benders, Art Show
Crazy past few days.
Thank you to Sy, Mark, and Synn for your help, it means a lot to me.
Thursday Ember and I spent the afternoon talking dog geekery and other
things with a friend. Friday I was able to see my dentist and get
antibiotics and Vicoprofen. Since her building is under construction,
she referred me to an oral surgeon, who I will see Monday. Hopefully
they can do the needed work on site, but there is a chance they may have
to send me to one of the local hospitals, which means it might be more
expensive than originally anticipated. Not looking forward to it.
Antibiotics and pain killers are helping, but make some of my autonomic
symptoms worse.
We finally got snow last night. We also got rear-ended when we went out for a quick shopping run, idiot cut into our lane and we slowed down so they wouldn't hit us, and the woman behind us ran into us. Mike's car has scuffed paint on the back, but nothing else visibly wrong. We're still going to have it looked at to be safe. Mike, Ember, and I are fine for the most part. He was sore last night from where the seatbelt jerked. I ended up somehow biting down/clenching my jaw with my bad teeth when it happened, and that hurt a ton. I have some stiffness in my neck and shoulders, but hard to say if it's related to that or not. We were both leaning forward in our seats trying to see the lines on the road through snow and watch the person who was cutting us off. Thankfully we were not going very fast, we'd been at a red light and just started to move when it turned green, when it happened.
Today I spent the day at the gallery helping a troupe of girl scouts who had come in to glaze some ceramics they made in the studio. Afterwards there was a nice artist's reception for the Fabrication's Nine art exhibit I'm participating in. I met a lot of really nice local artists, saw lots of really neat art, and there was a lot of good talk and good company. I wasn't sure I'd make the entire day when the pain kept acting up, but thanks to the Vicoprofen I made it! Ember was amazing. She lay quietly watching, occasionally wagging, the whole time the 30 or so girls sat around glazing ceramics. She was equally well behaved during the art exhibit. Many people were curious about her, and we answered many questions. Lots of compliments were offered. Overall it was a very nice day.
We finally got snow last night. We also got rear-ended when we went out for a quick shopping run, idiot cut into our lane and we slowed down so they wouldn't hit us, and the woman behind us ran into us. Mike's car has scuffed paint on the back, but nothing else visibly wrong. We're still going to have it looked at to be safe. Mike, Ember, and I are fine for the most part. He was sore last night from where the seatbelt jerked. I ended up somehow biting down/clenching my jaw with my bad teeth when it happened, and that hurt a ton. I have some stiffness in my neck and shoulders, but hard to say if it's related to that or not. We were both leaning forward in our seats trying to see the lines on the road through snow and watch the person who was cutting us off. Thankfully we were not going very fast, we'd been at a red light and just started to move when it turned green, when it happened.
Today I spent the day at the gallery helping a troupe of girl scouts who had come in to glaze some ceramics they made in the studio. Afterwards there was a nice artist's reception for the Fabrication's Nine art exhibit I'm participating in. I met a lot of really nice local artists, saw lots of really neat art, and there was a lot of good talk and good company. I wasn't sure I'd make the entire day when the pain kept acting up, but thanks to the Vicoprofen I made it! Ember was amazing. She lay quietly watching, occasionally wagging, the whole time the 30 or so girls sat around glazing ceramics. She was equally well behaved during the art exhibit. Many people were curious about her, and we answered many questions. Lots of compliments were offered. Overall it was a very nice day.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Ember wearing her service vest with patches
Sharing some more pictures of the dogmeat wearing her service gear.
Ember with her vest after the Can Do Canines patches were added.
Another picture of Ember in her service vest.
Monday, December 3, 2012
Love my SyMara sis
I'll sing praise to the heavens and anyone who will listen. My SyMara-sis is such an amazingly wonderful, generous, caring person. She made this for me, symbolic of sharing her light with me in dark times.
SyMara has helped so much, and given so much in art and time and love. I feel guilty ever getting anything from anyone, especially these days when there is not a lot I can do to reciprocate and show my true appreciation besides with art and heartfelt words, and hope whoever it is intended for knows how much it means to me.
SyMara has helped so much, and given so much in art and time and love. I feel guilty ever getting anything from anyone, especially these days when there is not a lot I can do to reciprocate and show my true appreciation besides with art and heartfelt words, and hope whoever it is intended for knows how much it means to me.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Santa Paws
While Ember and I were at Can Do Canines yesterday, Santa and friends decided to stop by for holiday pictures. I am normally not photogenic. I hide behind my camera and take the pictures! Even so, we were convinced to have our picture taken.
Can Do Canines Ambassador
Yesterday Ember and I attended a volunteer / ambassador orientation with Can Do Canines. I got to hang out with Terri and Brody, meet some fellow graduate teams who before I had only read about, and lots of other really amazing people. It is such a warming, heartfelt sensation, to be among people whose lives have been brightened by these specially trained dogs. It is a humbling, gratifying experience. I am blessed to know them, and be part of this special family.
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