<LoL!> Dentists are so clever when it comes to taking the scare of dental work away from kiddos. I remember how, as a lil' one, they'd always call that thing that sucked out all the saliva in your mouth "The Alligator Sucker". I also loved how, before using the spin brush thingy, they'd be so concerned over what flavor of toothpaste I wanted on it.

On a slightly related note, as a baby, I remember how the nurses would try to calm me down before one of my many eye surgeries in the same way. They'd dress my plush Bedtime Bear in the same, hospital gown I had to wear while asking me what flavor of gas I wanted to knock me out. I remember requesting grape and, when they gassed me, I thought how they totally lied. Though, with the gas, it is long before you don't care at all. :)

Back to the story, much of it is taken from tricks i use on my 5 year old to get him to brush his teeth. "Surfy" is actually a short form of how I had to convince him that toothpaste on his teeth were "Surfing Good Guys attacking the bad guys that hid in his teeth". The song Fritter also sings with his dad is one I sing to my son each time I take him for teeth brushing, too. Seems to take away the resistance that he puts up to do the task that, as annoying for a kid it can be, is so neccessary.

It makes me happy you are enjoying these, Pawsie. I will be posting 3 of 5 tomorrow. It's a story of overcoming night time scaries. I hope you like it. I also appreciate your reading these tales as sharing them beyond my son makes me very happy as I do so love the Haposaurs Nishi and I work with and am hopeful to, one day, take them beyond FA and FaceBook for others to enjoy. :)

Awwww, that's very cute! Something to read to anyone who's scared of something new! ^.^

Thanks, Zoomer. *Hugs* I knew Fritter would be the perfect Hapo to tell the tale, too.

My next submission, set for tomorrow, will be another tale of overcoming a scary situation. I hope the spacing of my releases is good as I don't want to oversaturate *giggles* the submissions for anyone. Though, I am so glad I can share all the works I did over the course of gaining my sight back.

Speaking of tales, it is okay to ask if you have had any luck with Jayce and Alex? Last I knew you might've been working with a fellow squirrel in bringing them to life. Has there been any progress and/or discussion? I still think they are a wonderful concept and well worth the effort if you can partner with said outrageous squirrel. :)

To be honest, I put poor Jayce and Alex on the back burner until I had time to go in and rewrite some bits, and I never did... I really need to get round to that! ^.^

I understand enirely. I've had to put my rewrite of Silmaria on the backburner as I heal from this crazy eye adventure. Though, like me, I have no doubt Jayce and Alex will soon come out to play and, when they do, it'll be awesome. Especially if you can get that lovable squirrel pal of yours to help with the arts. :) Adorable writing and art equals big win!

Awwwww, very cute indeed. ^^ I know I used to hate going to the dentist. My teeth have always been sensitive, and I had trouble with cavities. Most times I would go in for a cleaning, I knew they would find one and want to schedule a filling. The only thing my dentist ever gave me was a tooth brush. X3 I remember one time being so nervous having to go in for a filling, I tinkled a bit while waiting for the dentist to come in.

D'aww. I know that feeling entirely. When the fam and I went into the dentist, my wife and son had perfect appointments while I learned my teeth were a disaster area and needed sven fillings. :( I wasn't a very happy dino-ducky. This also doesn't include I STILL need to get what is left of my wisdom teeth removed. :( I would've had that done this year, but my eye took priority, yet again.

Are you on any particular medications? I ask as my current dentist pointed out how my eye drops I take to control my glaucoma have a negative impact on my oral health by causing it to dry out. :( Never knew they did that, but it explains a lot.

How's that saying go, "Damned if you do, damened if you don't" :) *Shurgs*

*nods* I'm on a lot of medications, but I haven't had a problem with my teeth in over a decade. I brush every night before bed and again after getting up, and I use antiseptic mouthwash and one of those spin brushes. I also tend to only eat one meal a day cuz I sleep so long, so that could have something to do with it.

It is funny how some meds will have horrible side effects, but they tell you its okay to take them anyway. I remember seeing a commercial for some new drug a while back, and one of the side effects was coma or death. X3 No thanks.

Being on lots of medications is no fun. :( I had a friend who sadly passed away two years ago who had a literal spice rack of medications she had to take in order to stay alive. She was super productive, positive, and one of the best people you could ever know. However, the medicines both did good and bad as they helped the parts that needed help while destroying her organs slowly. :(

Over here, I am already getting back on track to get back on my glaucoma medications again. It was fun not needing them for over two months, though. Glaucoma is not a largely recognized condition in pharmaceuital, so, even with insurance, most cost a fortune. Weird to think how my anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications are like $4 while a 5 ML bottle of anti-biotic eye drop is $70! Something sound wrong here?

Have you ever found your medicines to cause you to have to sleep as much as you do? I know some have that side effect. I had one, which I don't have to get back on, that changed my taste buds and gave me kidney stones. The more intense version, which I was on, also made my face tingle and that was a yipes and a half.

On a funny note, I heard on one of those lawsuit ads how "If you suffered from death..." you should call them for monetary compensation. I'd truly love to see someone who has suffered from "death" make that call. Kazootles!

Awwww, that's terrible. :( I guess medical science has only come so far. These days when they talk about cutting budgets from this and that, I would hope they give a lot to help medical research. A medication for a disease does no good if it ends up killing you anyway.

Oh yeah, I can relate to that. Most of the meds I take are very expensive without insurance, which I'm thankful to have with Social Security. A lot of the generic stuff that has been around a while has been put on the $4 list, but there are tons more that cost real money. I know my seizure meds alone cost around $700 without insurance. That's why more and more people want universal health care. It should be in the government's best interest to help the people as much as possible, especially if they would die otherwise.

*nods* My seizure meds can make me sleepy sometimes, as well as most pain meds they give me. I've taken the seizure meds so much now though that I don't really feel that side effect. I was having low energy days before I started taking it, so its not being caused by meds. My previous seizure meds also gave me kidney stones, so I had to take different ones. Other meds I've tried have made my chest hurt or made me feel very ill, so I couldn't take them.

Hehe, yeah, I've seen those too. Its like "if you've died from taking this, please call." X3

Oh, my! *crinklehuggles tight* I am so sad to hear you have suffered from kidney stones. They are terrible and I would never wish them on anybody. The worst part is all you can do is wait them out and, with my last one, I was in so much pain I collapsed on the floor and couldn't move. So glad I am not on that medicine at the moment. *Wipes brow*

Oh, golly how I can go on-and-on with how medicine prices are out of control. The one drop I had to restart for my returning glaucoma symptoms is over $100 without insurance and $50 a clip for a monthly supply. I also had one that goes for $80 with insurance. Needless to say, I used to spend over $200 a month just to keep my eye healthy. It's crazy! Especially, when I was on Medicaid, I could get all the meds I needed for $3!

I am sad to hear of your seizures. My mom gets those and has lots of meds to help control and keep them away. Most of which do make her sleep like a baby.

Have you looked into what may be causing you low energy days? I'm not trying to be nosey, but it might be depression and that really sucks. I've had bouts with depression since 2003 and I eventually needed to commit myself to taking a minimum of 10 mg Citolopram in order to keep that feeling away with the occassional Zanax to fight back those things my therapy training couldn't overcome. As you'd guess, this eye thing really got me worked up, so I now am 40 Mg of Citolopram and taking Chlorazapam in the morning to ensure I am in control of my mind and emotions as I battle it out with the snail-like healing process and make sure I still have a job to come back to when my eye is ready.

Do you have a job? I know there are ones you can take in which won't effect SSI and are real morale boosters as you can get out and show your stuff. There's no feeling like being productive to perk the spirits. Though, if your condition doesn't allow for this, I know Tavi and your friends can always help to ensure you are busy having fun and doing great things to further understand and love within our little community of crinklers. :)

*huggles* Yeah, kidney stones really suck. Luckily the ones I had while on the medication were always very soft and passed without too much trouble. However, when I suddenly had another earlier this year, it was a bad one that got stuck and they ended up having to go in and break it apart with a laser. Then I had a stent put in and had a painful string hanging out of my wee for a few days. THAT was the most unpleasant experience I've endured since my leg surgery. I never want to do that again. >.< So now I make sure to drink lots of water and take cranberry supplements.

Are you not on Medicare now or any other prescription insurance? Its crazy how expensive meds are without insurance. Back when I lost my job and was waiting on Social Security, I had to stop taking a lot of meds because I couldn't afford them. Luckily, my family was able to help me get some of what I needed.

As far as I know, Lupus is causing my low energy. That and depression, my meds, and being sick a lot of the time. I remember taking Chlorazapam before, but I don't think it worked well for me. I'm on Pristiq now for depression, but I think it needs to be increased.

No, I can't work. I have too many complications that keep me from working. I'm too tired to do most things, then there's my leg. I have to keep it elevated so I can't be on it for very long, and I can't sit very long without elevating it to a proper level, which usually means laying down in bed. There's no job that'll let you work from your bed. Plus I'm sick a lot of the time, and just wouldn't be able to work at all on those days, which is most days. But I'm thankful I have Tavi around to help me and make me smile. ^^

Oh, my. *Huggles* I'm sad to hear of how your leg causes you such grief. Is it a fluid issue that is unable to be resolved? I know of folks who get fluid build ups in their legs and they are no fun.

It sure sounds like your body has dealt you quite the hand. However, there are jobs you can do from home or where specific conditions, like your leg, can be accomdated for.

This said, have you ever heard of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation? It may go by another name, but your caseworker at SSI can help hook you up with them. They are state funded and work to not only try to find you a job, but ensure all your special needs are met in attaining a worthwhile degree of employment where you are not made to feel bad for having such special needs. It could help with your depression to get yourself out, even if it is just using a computer and working from home to help others and bring in a small profit each month. Furthermore, there are ways to make money working while still maintaining your full SSI benefits and all-important Medicaid. :)

As for me, I lost my SSDI and Medicaid after I got hired at my current job. I make way too much for them to come into play beyond being safe guards, which they are being now. I'm collecting SSDI while I recover from this eye issue. However, once I go back, I will stop collecting and will hopefully get some assistance from OVR's Blindness and Visual Services to ensure I can take my seat back at my desk and kick some serious padding! I was on track for a promotion and I will be pacified if I don't get it!

I am so happy Tavi is so supportive as you endure what your body has placed upon you. Support systems are important and it sounds like you couldn't ask for a better chipmunk. :)

*huggles* Well, its what they call deep vein thrombosis. When I first developed a clot, my leg became swollen to about 3 times the size of my other leg, and was purple. After the surgery and recovery, the swelling went down some, but not completely. I wore a compression stocking on that leg for a while, but even that couldn't help the swelling go down all the way. Basically my body had to make new veins for blood to flow through my leg, to bypass the ones clogged by the clot, and it'll just be that way forever. Some days are better than others and I can still walk on it, just not for long. Also I use a cane when out and about or in an unfamiliar environment. My leg has suddenly given out on me before, so I have to be prepared in case that happens again.

I haven't found any jobs online I would be qualified for. Plus, like I said, its not just the leg and depression, its the low energy and how often I get sick and just can't do anything. If any job needed me to work on a certain day, I couldn't guarantee I'd be able to. I'd end up missing too many days and it just would pile on more stress that I don't need right now. I can't deal with stress, and just sort of withdraw when presented with it. I haven't heard of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, but just the thought of going there makes me uneasy and my stomach turn. I just can't deal with it.

I'm on SSD as well. I got a small sum from SSI for the few months I supposedly qualified for it during my application for disability, but I get too much per month from SSD to be on it now. I have Medicare, but not Medicaid for the same reason. I'm always afraid one day they'll try to take it away, what with all the talk in congress about cutting this and that. It gives me a lot to worry about for the future.

Awwww, me too. I love him so much and am always so appreciative of his help and support. ^^

*Huggles and pat pats your backfluff comforting* Kazootles! You sure do have a lot on your plate. Is there a positive prognosis for you? Have the doctors talked about any procedure down the road, or potential medications, in which may help you to better function around your current situation?

For me, I have been told that, in about 15 years, they will be able to regenerate the optic nerves in folks like me who have had them pretty much destroyed by glaucoma. With any luck, there is hope on the horizon for you to get back to living a more productive and less bothersome life. Being limited by the body is lousy. Especially when you consider, as you can agree, you have a good mind on you and it has to be a real grr factor knowing what you have been capable of and still could if not limited so much.

You really should look into the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. It sounds scary, but they are quite empathetic and often have folks working for them who have conditions they, too, had to overcome. The counselor working with me now is totally blind and very functional. Gives me hope that, when my sight finally fails, I can still contribute in some way.

I wish you all the best, Ozzie. I know somuch how the body can bring down the mind and put you in places you don't want to be. This is why I have Yosh. He is my escape from reality and I personally tend to not totalk about the depths of what I go through as lack of positivity really drags me down along with those around me.

If it isn't too personal to ask, do you see a therapist or psychiatrist? Some can be real lousy while others, like the one I had, really helped me to discover powers I had in which I never knew I did. I'm always a strong advocate for doing whatever it takes to get to where you want to be and, as a friend, I would be very happy to know you are as happy as can be despite what, like me, your body has done to you. You are more than your condition and I'm sure can find something awesomely productive to get your spirits up while showing everyone how inspirational you are yourself by battling against what may seem impossible to win with. *Hugs*

*huggles n coos* Well, no, not really. The doctor seems more concerned about keeping my blood levels regulated than anything else. I've heard they have a test cure for certain kinds of Lupus out there, but that its still in testing and has only worked on maybe 10% of people tested. But I haven't heard anything else about it in a long while. As for my leg, other than cutting it off there isn't much they can do about it. They did surgery on it back when I first developed the blood clot. They actually did surgery on it two or three times, and then said they couldn't do anymore without risking losing the leg. So, it'll just be that way forever pretty much. I have an aunt who had blood clots in both her legs, and she has to deal with it too. I've pretty much accepted it, and since I have Tavi to help me, I feel better. I still get frustrated when I can't get up and down off the floor and play with other cubs IRL, or go on long walks, or just run, but that's part of why I keep Ozzie at 18 months. At that age, you're not very mobile and tend to spend a lot of time sleeping and playing. However, Ozzie also has magic and can do things most cubs and even adults can't do. So I use him as my escape as well. ^^

I'll look into it, but I still dunno if I can go. Its not just my anxiety, its also a matter of cost and time. I have a ton of medical bills right now, and can't handle anymore yet. Then there's my sleep habbits. I need my 10 to 12 hours or sleep or else I wake up very sick and can't function at all. Usually by the time I get up, most people are getting off work. I went to a rehabilitation place once before when I first had my seizures. That was to work on my shoulders since they popped out of the socket. Even with that, my shoulders still give me trouble and if I go to another rehab place about that, I know they're just going to say it needs surgery, which I can't afford.

Awww, I wish you the best of luck too. I don't want your sight to fail at all. *hugs* I get depressed about my situation a lot, but I have Tavi and that really helps. I used to see a therapist and a psychiatrist, since I would see one for actual therapy sessions, and the other for meds. It was less expensive that way. But now I don't really have either. When I go to the clinic, they have a psychiatrist on staff who comes in and asks me things, but its not really a therapy session. If I could find one that accepts Medicare, I could go see them. I would be nervous, but I would go so long as Tavi is with me. *hugs*

It is so frustrating that money has to stand in the way of you getting proper medical care. I'm sure you could make many advances towards having a happier life if you were able to afford the resources that are more than within reach for those who are more privledged. :(

As you are on SSI, do you have a caseworker who can perhaps help you find Medicare participating psychiatrists or therapists? If they give you guff, ask for another caseworker who will treat you seriously as therapy and the right meds can REALLY make a huge difference. Have Tavi at your side to help you talk things out would certainly be a super-sized plus as he could help you overcome those things you may not even know may need overcome.

For your leg, do they have you taking a low dose Aspirin regiment to keep away further blood clots? Another solution might be Fish Oil capsules 3x that our 1000 Mg. They were my friends until I realized how they thin the blood along with all the superior benefits they offer. For me, I took them to help increase the moisture of my eye. Though, after two bloody surgeries in two years, I think I'll have to find another way to better hydrate my good eye as I know 3 times would not be a charm in my case. *Sighs and shurgs* One year without an operation, or complication, would be so-so nice.

I think it is clever how you have Ozzie designed. He sounds like a great, thereupitic way to cope with your current situation with regard to your bodily limits. For me, I opted to not give Yosh the bad eyes that I have. Rather, I made him just need glasses and be overly eager to make friends to a fault in which makes him guilable for certain friends to get him into compromising situations. Some of which I'm sure you've seen. *Blush*

Yeah, it sucks that we don't have a better health care system available. I don't know of any caseworker. I just use the Medicare web site to look for ones that accept Medicare. There just aren't many, and the ones that do are usually part of that same clinic. So I dunno.

They have me taking a blood thinner, Coumadin. They adjust the amount sometimes if my levels are too low or too high. I do take fish oil capsules, but thats mainly for cholesterol reasons. It sucks being on blood thinners because there are certain foods I can't have and if I ever need surgery, I have to go off of it for a few days before hand, then get back on it, which often messes things up a lot.

Hehe, yeah, basically Ozzie can do almost anything and adjust to any situation, which is something I can't do IRL. I also gave him permanent incontinence no matter what age he is, since that's how I'd want things to be for me. ^^ Also, Ozzie usually has one sock on his left foot because that's my bad leg. Sometimes it'll be on the other foot, but that depends on the artist drawing it. Ozzie also likes to help where he can, and doesn't use his all powerful magic unless he has to.

Oooh, another fun-filled happy haposaur tale! Hehe, I remember going to the dentist as a kid. My dentist had a practice just across the street from my house so my mom often times made me go alone since it was so close. Still, I totally remember all the crazy flavors they used to have for teeth cleaning so it truly wasn't all that bad!

That must've been exciting going off to the dentist by yourself. How old were you when your mom let you do that? You must've really felt like a big kid when you could march over there by yourself, sign in, and get your toothers all cleaned up without parental overview. :)

As always, my greatest of appreciation for reading and following along with the stories. It's friends like you that make posting these worthwhile and give me the drive to find out how I can overcome what visual obstacles remain as I now use a combination of screen reader and eyesight to get the job done. :)

Ehehe... actually, i always hated going anywhere without mom or dad. Mom always taught me never to trust strangers so I think they may have had a hand with me being a somewhat introverted person. She says that and then sends me out all alone. Go figure! =P

Kazootles! Parenting is definitely filled with oxymorons. Especially when you may rethink on how you could do things at home, but were told to never do them at school. Currently having fun getting my son to seperate his playful, making up word side in control. The Mrs. and I spell speak around him when we don't want him to know certain things. Sadly, this lead him to try it himself and he called a girl an "SOA" the other day. He and I had a talk on a walk yesterday about what a "SOA" is, which to him was just being silly, but how he has to watch what he says as people take what you say seriously and how you shouldn't say things that you don't understand as you can get in trouble. Especially "SOA" as it sounds super close to "SOB". *Shrugs*

An introvert? Are you sure? You come off to me as fairly extroverted. Though, I guess I can see where some of the introvertness may exist. I, super obiously, am an extrovert to almost a fault as I am an ace at making a donkey of myself. Between my big mouth and desire to be involved in things, I can drive many a person nuts. Heck, I even have a guy wo married one of my sister's friends who dislikes me from our first encounter for how I tried to make friends with him and I came off so, uh, strong. *Shrugs* As my wife says, you either like me or you don't. I have no in-between as my personality is, as described by my friends, "Human Cartoon" :)