Health Update

Back in January I gave an update of where I stand in all my medical issues (see here). Having gone into a great amount of detail on my brain and heart/blood in the prior two postings, there are still three areas which need to be updated. And, unfortunately, these areas are the ones where there has been much activity over the past several months and which have thus worried me the most. Two of them appear to be resolving, but the third is still ongoing. So, without further ado, here’s what’s going on.

 

Mouth/Teeth

I had indicated in January that the plan was to remove four of my remaining original teeth (23-26) as they had been loosened by the strength of my upper jaw connected implants and to replace them with a few implants as well. Unfortunately, in doing those removals, the oral surgeon discovered that many of the other implants on the bottom, many of which I’d had for a long time, were also slowly failing. So … change of plans.

In addition to the removal of 23-26, I have also had all but the last molar implant on each side of my lower jaw removed. This is not as easy as taking out an original tooth as the implant is screwed into the jaw. Two of them could be easily unscrewed, but the other two had to be drilled around – using the dental equivalent of a hole saw. At that point I only had four bottom teeth – one implant molar in the back on each side and two (fortunately very strong) teeth in positions 22 and 27. While all the healing was taking place, I only had those four teeth for eating with for several months (no corn-on-the-cob, having to cut pizza up with a knife and fork into bite-sized pieces).

I was then fitted for a lower removable plate that will be partially anchored by going around those four remaining teeth. As I write this, the trial fitting was successful and I’m only waiting for the lab to complete making the final plate. But this should be the end of a long process. I’ll only have two teeth which are original and will need to be brushed, the remaining ones mostly get treated with a Waterpik to clean them as they have no enamel, only porcelain finishes.

 

Colon

I had indicated back in January that I was shortly scheduled for my 5-year follow-up colonoscopy and that it would likely be my last. I commented, “no big deal.” Little did I know!

Perhaps reminiscent of 2017 when I had my first colonoscopy and they found nine polyps, then requiring a follow-up in 2018 when they found one more, this one back in February found several, including one very large one. They were all removed (none were cancerous) and they marked the spot of the large one with a tattoo. I then had a second colonoscopy in June to ensure that they got everything. Unfortunately, there was another small one right where they had taken out the large one. So, I was scheduled for a THIRD colonoscopy just last week. For those who have gone through this procedure, the colonoscopy itself is not a big deal – you’re under general anesthesia and don’t notice a thing. But the day before prep is another story. I won’t go into the details here, but it’s not pleasant. And when you only have them every 5-10 years you kind of forget the unpleasantness, but when you have three in just eight months the anticipation is almost as bad. Enough said!

This last one was not scheduled in the outpatient GI location, but with a specialist in the GI center in the hospital where they have specialty equipment, etc. The after-report was about as good as I could expect. They did find one very small one in that location. But in addition to removing it, they also cauterized the area which should prevent any recurrence. However, I do have to have a one-year follow-up to ensure success. Maybe that will be my last one?

 

Foot

I had noted back in January that I just had another bout of sepsis from infection in the sore on the bottom of my foot. After that was cleared up, I made the decision (with a push from my wife) to begin taking a daily protein supplement to speed up the healing process. It worked. In May I got my new custom shoes that will help relieve the pressure. In June, my podiatrist was able to declare success and I just had a six-month follow-up visit.

Unfortunately, we declared success too early. In mid-September something went wrong – not sure what – and I got a slight tear in the skin which opened the area back up. So – back to the podiatrist for periodic checks, a round of strong antibiotics, and trying to get it to heal back up again. Things are going much faster this time – probably due to the protein supplements – but it’s a bit frustrating. Thus, while most of my other physical problems have been resolved, this one has not yet. Maybe this time will work? We’ll have to wait and see.