Andy recently lost a filling, and when he had his teeth cleaned Tuesday the hygienist found another place that needed work. So when he had his dentist appointment yesterday he asked if the new spot needed to be filled too. The dentist said it was up to Andy, the dentist could fill one, or both, or none at all. At Andy’s age it didn’t matter.
Then there was the invitation for a free dinner we recently received. It was sponsored by a local funeral home and they would discuss arranging our financial matters and preplanning our funerals.
We decided to pass on that. We don’t plan to have funerals, or even obituaries. I am writing down the steps that Kaitlin would need to write a post on my blog if something happens. She’s pleased about that because during our last evacuation, for the fire in 2011, she wrote a comment to tell people what was going on but would rather have written a post. We both agree, it’s the friendly thing to do.
Thank you, Kaitlin!
January 30, 2020
I’m not sure what I think about that dentist.
and like you… I have taken care of plans upon my death.
even though I own a plot right next to Bob’s that I bought when he died…
I have written instructions that I will have no ceremony or obituary or memorial of any kind and that my cremated remains will be interred in my plot… I still have to pay the cemetery expenses of almost $2500. which I am paying off monthly. I have a $5000 burial payment in my pension but it’s not given to you until after you die! š I guess I shouldn’t complain. they have to make their money somehow. but it seems odd. it has gone up each year.
at least now it will be locked in. (I HOPE!)
did you see this latest Medical Industrial Complex news about an emergency appendectomy? the boy didn’t have time to go to a hospital in his network.
his appendix was apparently literally at the bursting point. his best friend drove him to the nearest hospital since it was a life and death emergency.
” Total bill: $41,212 covering the surgery, one night at the hospital and the emergency room charges. After payments by both Bates and his insurer, the hospital sent Bates a bill for the balance, just over $28,000. ”
heaven knows what an addition ambulance ride would have cost him!!!
Yes, I know about the obscene medical costs. š
We’re assuming our land would be a great place to dispose of our ashes. Before we built the first house we had two little graves with markers on our land for Frisky 1 and Frisky 2 (Kaitlin’s gerbils that died). We laughed that eventually there would be one marked Father and one presumably marked Mom. Now we won’t even have markers, which is cool too.
We need to make our plans and arrangements…I would be fine with doing like you are planning on, Jean. I think some of Roger’s family might not be happy with that, and not even sure about our girls. But that is really what I want for me for sure.
I figure our blogs are our celebrations of life. What more could we need?
I’ve thought about leaving instructions for my daughter to do a post should something ever happen to me. So many bloggers have just disappeared and I’ve never known what has happened to them.
I agree, it bothers me when that happens. It’s only fair to let people know.
I can’t believe a dentist would say that! So many heart issues start with gum disease and teeth that need filling can lead to those kinds of problems. “At his age…” would have me out looking for a new dentist who isn’t so quick to write me off.
My niece is in charge of posting something on my blog should I not be able to.
Andy didn’t take offense. In fairness to the dentist, his attitude is a lot better than ones who over treat to make money. And he’s happy to do the work if Andy wants it.
I’m glad you have your backup lined up.
I have opted not to have more dental work done – bladder cancer has shown up and it may be a while but why throw a few thousand dollars away to replace aged crowns. Also I have a plan for my body – it goes to a local medical school for teaching soon-to-be doctors. Then they cremate the bodies and have a ceremony once a year to honor those who gave their soulless shells. I like recycling!
Yes, dental work can be expensive, and sometimes it doesn’t make sense.
My mother had bladder cancer and died ten years later of something else. I’m hoping you have good luck with yours.
About your plans — good for the medical school, and good for you!
At first thought, I could see being annoyed with the dentist but then again, I rather like him.
Iāve had several encounters with dentists and hygienists who recommended procedures that when I declined and went elsewhere to find that the problems mysteriously didn’t actually exist. I think so many professional people such as doctors, dentists, veterinarians, are so conditioned to follow a āscriptā that it becomes automatic and theyāve become to believe what they say. Some have drank their own kool-aid but many are motivated by dollars.
I have many stories about my own dental care but the shortest tale is when they put in a temporary filling and said I must come in very soon and have it replaced with gold. Right after that I was watching a movie where someoneās gold filling came flying out during a mishap and I thought to myself… Iām going to wait before I go in for the gold. Thatās been more than 5 years ago!. (I just donāt chew on toffee or whatever on that side of my mouth! Lol!
Iām not saying that some dental work isnāt needed but maybe, just maybe, the hygienist recommended what sheās been conditioned to recommend and the dentist could see itās wasnāt really necessary?!???
Yeh, kinda like that dentist.
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Ideally the dentist would give us enough information to make an intelligent decision, but at least this one doesn’t over treat.
I had a dentist who put in a gold filling years ago — it was supposed to last forever. Instead it had problems after a couple of months, and he said he would replace it for half the cost of the original. I pointed out he seemed very nervous at one point when he put it in, so no, I was not going to pay more. He replaced it for free with a standard filling.
About my funeral plans, I havenāt documented anything or paid for anything but people know that I want to be cremated with no visitation and I want my ashes to be mixed with my Maddieās ashes and Blueās ashes and thrown some place lovely. I really do need to set up some sort of thing for my social media though but if Iām not on Instagram for a very long time Iām probably dead.
I shouldnāt admit this but I do have a bit of a plan if I become a vegetable and unable to take care of myself. I donāt want the typical DNR like some people have where they lay there and starve to death and eventually die. No, Iāve been promised, by people who Iām not related to, that they will come and smother me… oddly I find comfort in that. LOLOLOL
I would find comfort in that too. I’m a great believer in contingency plans. š
it’s not something I have truly addressed, once (must find list) I did make some attempt at the matter…
Let us know if you do come up with a strategy. It’s an interesting subject.
No back up plan here – I need to do that, I should know better having lost a brother who was just a little more than a year older than me. I do have a bucket list though…..
What’s on your bucket list?