Finished Reading “Devoted” and my Dental Nightmare

Do you trust your dentist? I had a great dentist for over 30 years. Then he retired in 2022 (didn’t have anyone to take over his practice). While I mourned that, I went to the place he recommended. While they liked to charge me for stuff my other dentist did for free (like a cancer screening test, where they feel around your mouth), I wasn’t having too many issues until this past November. That’s when I was introduced to the third dentist there (I later discovered this practice is owned by a corporation, not a person).

This dentist proceeded to tell me that I have a cavity, all my fillings are failing, and that I’ll need crowns on all my molars! Now, this news did not go over well, since I was told by my oncologist that I needed to make sure my teeth were okay so he could start me on Prolia (a drug for osteoporosis, or in my case osteopenia). My insurance is lucky to cover one crown. Not 7! But Hubby said if we had to pay, we had to pay. My health was more important. Only one tooth was really bothering me, so I went along with getting the root canal on that one (and the subsequent crown), until I could calm down and think about it. However…

The day I went in to get the permanent crown, I met the fourth doctor at this practice. Apparently #3 was away on emergency leave. She did the work, then asked if there was more work that needed to be done. I explained that I needed to go ahead and make appointments for all the work I was told needed to be done because my oncologist wanted to start me on Prolia in June. She looked at my teeth and told me everything looked fine.

What???

Needless to say, I was flabbergasted. I was also ready to quit this practice once and for all. I told my oncologist what was going on. I didn’t know who to believe! My oncologist asked if I wanted to be seen by the dentist on base. I didn’t think I was entitled (they only see active duty personnel), but because of my cancer (lucky me!), he could get me in. I got an appointment for March 4.

Well, I got good news from the dentist on base. My fillings are fine. I don’t need any more work done on them (especially since I’m not having any issues in my mouth). Plus, I don’t have any cavities. I am going to go fire my other dentist, once I get a refund (they overcharged me on the crown work according to my insurance statement—figures!). I do have another dentist in the works, who I will visit for the first time in July (for a cleaning). Keeping my fingers crossed that he works out. I hate deceitful dentists!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 8

Dates read: February 27-March 6, 2024
Title: Devoted
Year of publication: 2020
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Horror
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 369
Paper or plastic: Hardcover
How obtained: Purchased
Blurb from Book: Woody Bookman hasn’t spoken a word in his eleven years of life. Not when his father died in a freak accident. Not when his mother, Megan, tells him she loves him. For Megan, keeping her boy safe and happy is what matters. But Woody believes a monstrous evil was behind his father’s death and now threatens him and his mother. And he’s not alone in his thoughts. An ally unknown to him is listening.
    A uniquely gifted dog with a heart as golden as his breed, Kipp is devoted beyond reason to people. When he hears the boy who communicates like he does, without speaking, Kipp knows he needs to find him before it’s too late.
    Woody’s fearful suspicions are taking shape. A man driven by a malicious evil has set a depraved plan into motion. And he’s coming after Woody and his mother. The reasons are primal. His powers are growing. And he’s not alone. Only a force greater than evil can stop what’s coming next.
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: I love his dog stories. Reminded me a little of Watchers, but then it became a different story altogether. Which is probably a good thing. Nice little horror story. I enjoyed it very much.

So… How well do you like your dentist? I really hope I found one I can trust. It’s such a crap shoot out there.

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Finished Reading “Mommy Dommy Minotaur” and More Health Issues

Doesn’t it always seem like the bad stuff just piles on top of bad stuff?

In November, I was told I had osteopenia (which is the precursor to osteoporosis). My oncologist wants to put me on Prolia, but first I needed to get my teeth looked at. Apparently Prolia helps my bone density, but does something totally different to my jaw and healing can be really slow. So I saw my dentist. The news there wasn’t all that great.

It seems the fillings in most of my molars are huge and are failing. They can’t just put in new fillings. I need crowns instead. And one is so bad, it needs a root canal first (which I’m getting this Thursday).

Now, I don’t see how I’m going to get all this work done quickly, and I wasn’t sure when my oncologist wanted to start Prolia. So I asked him this month and he said to shoot for six months.

I see $$ going to the dentist during this six months, because my insurance will be lucky enough to cover one tooth. Not seven! Yep, seven (one molar already has a crown).

So, if that wasn’t enough, my December scan showed a lymph node between my lungs enlarged (it was normal back in September). I had a cold in October (of which I’m still coughing), so it’s possible it’s enlarged because of that, but with my history he wanted to get a sample. I had that biopsy last week and I’m still waiting on the results. Fingers crossed it comes back negative (or whatever is good news)

And to add the cherry to all that mess, I’m getting my 5-year colonoscopy on January 22.

Hubby and I leave on Jan 5 for a two-week cruise. I think I need it!

Here’s what I read since my last update:

Book 58

Dates read: December 11-26, 2023
Title: Mommy Dommy Minotaur
Year of publication: 2023
Author: Thundertail Slapbush
Genre: Paranormal erotic romance
Series: N/A
# of Pages: 176
Paper or plastic: Trade paperback
How obtained: Given by author
Blurb from book: From the moment Voss Wolfeson laid eyes on the tall drink of minotaur milk, he knew he wanted to do something he’s never done before: lose himself in her.
    Voss likes control over all things in his life—his business deals, his impeccable designer clothes, and the alpha wolf side of him that constantly threatens to break free. He’s locked his urges down tighter than a rabbit snared in a steel trap—or in a wolf’s claws—until a trip to the library brings him face to face with a certain shy and alluring Minoan researcher and unleashes a new set of desires.
    Moumi Gloryhorn lives a double life, and she’s happy that way. By day, she spends her time figuratively and literally hunched over in a library basement, digging up old books and documents. By night, she indulges her minotaur instincts and desires by pursuing willing participants through the Labyrinth and punishing them—for their pleasure and hers. That is, until she finds herself the one pursued—by a certain tall, dark, and annoyingly handsome werewolf who threatens to destroy the carefully crafted walls she’s put up between her day job and her night life.
    What’s a wolf to do, when he can’t decide whether he wants to sink his claws into his prey or be spanked by her? And what’s a lady minotaur to do when she finds herself running full tilt at a predator she should be running away from?
Recommend: Yes
My thoughts: The author gave me this book in the hopes he would get some more reviews. I don’t always do this, but he is also a friend and a co-member of my writing organization and to be honest, the book looked interesting (I don’t do this if it’s not in a genre I won’t normally read). The book is well written and I liked the storyline over all. The rest of it is a bit much…for me. I’m not one who gets a lot of puns, and this one is full of them. I didn’t laugh out loud reading this book (I enjoy a different kind of humor, I guess), but I did enjoy the story. If you like the bizarre, with a lot of erotic stuff in between, give this book a try.

I got stuck in my editing of Ghostly Protector. Thought I needed another love scene. Thing is, I couldn’t write it. Now I’m thinking maybe the story doesn’t need it (because it wouldn’t have been hard if it did), so I’m leaving it out and will send it to my editor as is. I’ll let her tell me if she thinks it needs another love scene. I just need to move on right now and this is the best way to do that!

Happy Reading!

Stacy

Penguins, Walking, RAGT, and the Dentist

Well, no chance of the Penguins sweeping the Sharks now (they are up 2-1, though). I was hoping they would because I’ll be at the Annual Reader Author Get Together (RAGT) on Thursday and really didn’t want to watch Game 5 at the hotel. At least the game is supposed to be on NBC, so I shouldn’t have any problems seeing it in my room. But I’ll miss watching it with my daughter. And getting my game-day smoothie.

Whatever will I do???

**Must look to see if there is a Tropical Smoothie Café located near hotel**

Drat. There isn’t. Guess I’ll have to find something else.

Last week (Mon-Fri) I walked over 10,000 steps each day. I’ve never done that before. The weekend? Not even close. I think I was too pooped! J But I will continue with my quest to walk to and from the fitness center during the week.

Until Thursday, that is.

I’m co-hosting one of the pre-con rooms (with Teri Anne Stanley and Meg Cooper) at RAGT and I need to be there by 10. Which means I need to leave at 9. Which means I ain’t walking. J I doubt I walk on Friday, too.

Why is it when you’re away from home, your routine crashes? Or maybe it’s just me. Well, I’m sure my feet will appreciate the break. Although I will be at a con; I might get that walking in anyway. **fingers crossed**

Today I will see the dentist about my broken crown/cap/whatever-it’s-called. That should be fun (not). Well, at least it shouldn’t be painful (yet). I’m sure that’ll come later. I’ll report the findings in the comments later today.

So… How’s your week looking?

Happy Monday!

Stacy

Wednesday Reads and a Hubby Update

I have an appointment with my dentist next Monday for my broken crown. Well, I assume it’s broken. There’s a hole in it. Maybe it can be patched. That would be awesome, but I’m not holding my breath on that. If I expect the stupid thing needs to be replaced, then anything else will be a pleasant surprise.

Here’s what I read the past week:

May 31: “Shades of Midnight” by Lara Adrian, Book 7 in the Midnight Breed series, a paranormal romance at 383 pages. Blurb from book: Something inhuman is stalking the frigid Alaskan wilds, leaving unspeakable carnage in its wake. For bush pilot Alexandra Maguire, the killings stir memories of a horrific event she witnessed as a child and evoke in her the inexplicable sense of otherness she has long felt within herself but never fully understood...until a darkly seductive stranger with secrets of his own enters her world. Sent from Boston on a mission to investigate the savage attack and stop the slaughter, vampire warrior Kade has his own reasons for returning to the frigid, forbidding place of his birth. Haunted by a secret shame, Kade soon realizes the stunning truth of the threat he faces—a threat that will jeopardize the fragile bond he has formed with the courageous, determined young woman who arouses his deepest passions and most primal hungers But in bringing Alex into his world of blood and darkness, Kade must confront both his own personal demons and the even greater evil that could destroy all he holds dear. Man, if I could, I’d just read each book of this series back-to-back. But I kind of want to savor them, too, so I’m not. Plus, I have other stuff I have to do! I especially enjoyed the location of this book: Alaska. Kind of took me back to when I lived there (although I could have sworn it was colder J). Great read. Lots of suspense, romance, and some sexy vampires.

I find it interesting that I while I enjoyed reading before I wrote, it wasn’t until after I discovered my love for writing that my reading tastes exploded. I read more than ever now. And I want to read more than I have time for. I really didn’t think that was possible!

Hubby update: He’s really doing tons better now. Still can’t open his mouth all the way (so no biting into a sandwich) and tends to bite his tongue from time to time, but he’s back to eating most of his favorites (still can’t drink soda; the fizz burns too much), just with a knife and fork. He’s also back to walking after work and he’s already up to 9 miles a day. That right there tells me he’s feeling fine, and I couldn’t be happier!

So… What do you do for exercise? I started walking to and from the fitness center this week. So far, so good. I’m at least walking more than 10,000 steps a day now. Maybe next week I’ll add that cardio. We’ll see…

Happy Reading!

Stacy