Erogenous Zones

My Pleasure Erogenous Zones Quiz

You got 9 questions out of 9 correct.You're an erogenous zone expert! We're impressed!

Female Erogenous Zones

Male Erogenous Zones

How Kinky Are You?

The Hotlanta Kink Test (ver 2.1)
Congratulations!
Your Hotlanta Kink Test score was 528!

Here is the chart so that you can see how you are rated:

100 or less You need to lighten up and live a little!
101 to 200 You have an average sex life in need of kink.
201 to 300 You have sweet hints of a kinky nature.
301 to 400 You have kinky playful tendencies.
401 to 500 You are definitely a kinky player.
501 to 600 You are kinkier than most!
601 to 700 You are a major league kinkster!
701 to 800 You live and breath kinky!!
801 to 900 Wow! You're too kinky for most!!!
901 or more SUPER FREAK ALERT! You da BOMB!

The maximum score for this test is 1000.
If you're looking for fun loving and interesting people who
score well on tests like this, join us at Club Hotlanta

Kink is a term used to refer to unconventional sexual practices such as bondage, domination and submission, and sadomasochism (known collectively as BDSM), and sexual fetishism.

Yum!

Meditation & Mudras

Rodney Yee has a gorgeous masculine yoga physique. My first beginner yoga classes were his beginner DVDs. I have moved on to try intermediate and advanced yoga classes with different instructors in live classes at my gym and with other DVD teachers.

Yoga is different than most other forms of exercise in that you are relaxing and breathing deeply and evenly at the same time as strengthening and lengthening your muscles. It feels really good.

After I arrived home from my three mile walk in the park this afternoon, I did a simple yoga for meditation DVD, which really helped me relax. I haven’t spent much time doing meditation other than during the last few minutes of yoga class, which is usually spent on conscious relaxation techniques. However, I tried various meditation poses today using different mudras, which were refreshing, so I’ve decided to try and spend more time learning how to meditate. I love finding new ways to help the body/mind strengthen and unwind.

Meganames

Jessica's Aliases

Your movie star name: Peach Ice Cream Raymond Your fashion designer name is Jessica Stockholm Your socialite name is Jessi Paris Your fly girl / guy name is J Har Your detective name is Poodle Abington Your barfly name is Cherries Lemon Drop Your soap opera name is Dawn Arnold Your rock star name is Swedish Fish Red Volvo Your Star Wars name is Jesjos Hargen Your punk rock band name is The Content Mirror

The Amazing Meganame Generator

I copied Pax's post this morning.

Go Birds!

The air wafting into my windows is just cool enough to feel and smell sweet. The breeze from my kitchen is gently blowing the spicy scent of hot Italian sausages, which are simmering in my crock pot. They are waiting to be eaten on fresh rolls with lots of sauce and provolone cheese at game time! The Eagles will Host their NFC East Rival Giants this afternoon at 1:00 PM. You watching?

Wandering

I just finished reading an older book called The Street Lawyer by John Grisham, which depicts homelessness. It really left an impression on me. I tried to imagine what it would be like to lack a permanent cozy haven. It inspired me to start looking for a way to help homeless people in the Philadelphia area. I have occasionally left bags filled with food and toiletries with vagrants -- or in recently vacated places where I have seen their sadly weathered, gaunt and dirty faces.

I wonder how many people are roaming sans shelter in the Philadelphia area.

Maybe I can wear my Burrell t-shirt...

...without getting teased today.

Watch it, read it...

Burrell's slam lifts Myers, Phillies

On Politics

Is this what political parties are really all about?

A real DIRECTORY OF U.S. POLITICAL PARTIES

Fishing and Football

I spent last Saturday watching Season 2 of Desperate Housewives, while my husband took our kids fishing on a party boat in Ocean City, NJ. I used to enjoy fishing on the sea, until I tried my first eight hour excursion sans breakfast. I was powerfully nauseous the entire time, which stole my normal enthusiasm for baiting and hooking anything with scales and fins.

My prior experiences with fishing had been on private boats with friends and family. We braved some rough surf, but I never got sick. I had also gone on public four hour tours, which were thrilling. I have allowed one rough and rainy day to ruin my previous excitement for trolling wrecks and reefs.

In my defense, the eight hour trip felt like an eternity. During the choppy ride back to the dock, the clouds poured drops onto our heads that were much heavier than any shower I’ve ever enjoyed. The first mate was kind enough to dress me in his raincoat, which became covered in fish guts as the crew cleaned the catch, since the wind was whipping at my back.

I’d like to give it another go on a mild, sunny and clear day. I miss reeling in my line and finding a salty, flopping, tasty treasure on the other end.

Last Sunday, our family went to see the movie Invincible. The stadium seating theater was electric, since the audience was comprised of local Eagles fans. It made us eager for football season. My son wants to buy a new fog horn to blow outside after every Eagles touchdown.

I also threw a bridal shower luncheon for my sister at Scoogi's restaurant. It was lovely. She is getting married to a nice guy/golf pro next month at a local country club. She looks like a little doll in her simple and elegant wedding dress. I hope that their special day will be spectacular.

Sneaky Slips and Sips

As I was driving to the movie theater yesterday after brunch to see Hollywoodland with my husband, I began wondering about the freshness of my breath. I popped a wintergreen mint into my mouth, which is my favorite refreshing flavor. I usually keep some kind of mint or cinnamon gum in my handbag to combat coffee breath, which I happen to actually enjoy since I’m weird. However, I decided that I was more interested in being kissable than savoring the stale flavor of coffee beans doused with lots of sugar and cream.

I tend to choose wintergreen or cinnamon gum. My son likes spearmint and my daughter prefers peppermint.

What’s your favorite mint flavor?

I didn’t make out with my date during the 1950’s period film, but I slipped my hand into the waist of his pants and under his boxer briefs. Sneaky touching is hot, even when your spouse is making grunting noises like a hog at you for stealing two sips from his bucket of soda.

Sexy Friday Random Ten

1) The First Taste – Fiona Apple
2) Your Wildest Dreams – The Moody Blues
3) Sweetest Sin – Jessica Simpson
4) In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel
5) Closer – Nine Inch Nails
6) Wicked Game – Chris Isaak
7) This is Hardcore – Pulp
8) I Want You To Know – Depeche Mode
9) Turn Me On –Norah Jones
10) I Touch Myself – The Divinyls

Getting Informed

I am a registered republican who tends to choose who to vote for based on getting to know the candidates. Reading the websites of both Lou Guerra and Josh Shapiro has been helpful. Seeing them both march and wave with their families in the local July 4th parade was nice, but it wasn't enough to help me make an informed decision.

My Lust is High

Greed:	Medium
Gluttony:	High
Wrath:	Very Low
Sloth:	Medium
Envy:	Very Low
Lust:	Medium
Pride:	Very Low

This quiz wasn't as accurate or fun as I had hoped.

The Seven Deadly Sins Quiz on 4degreez.com

Romantic Friday Random Ten

1) Complainte De La Butte – Rufus Wainwright
2) They Can't Take That Away From Me – Frank Sinatra
3) Fly Me To The Moon – Frank Sinatra
4) Let's Get It On – Marvin Gaye
5) Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe – Barry White
6) My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder
7) La Javanaise – Madeline Peyroux
8) Sympathique – Pink Martini
9) The Prettiest Thing – Norah Jones
10) Love Me Some You – Harry Connick Jr.

Cute Clipart

I saw this picture while browsing blogs this morning. I like it.

Ten of my Guilty Pleasures

1) Romance novels
2) Manicures and pedicures even if I just had one a week ago
3) Hair Dye (I’ve tried virtually every shade.)
4) Lots of lingerie, especially pretty bras and panties
5) Watching E and listening to bitches bust on bad ensembles (Actually, I wish they would shut up, so I could gaze at gorgeous gowns and jewels on stars from shows I’ve never seen.), anything on the Food Network or America’s Funniest Home Videos
6) Sleeping with a stuffed elephant and my silky
7) Viewing porn and envying fake breasted sluts like Pam Anderson for reasons other than coveting their unmoving, gigantic implants and long acrylic nails.
8) Silky, sweet and smooth Häagen-Dazs chocolate chocolate chip or coffee ice cream, steak nachos with lots of guacamole, cheese, sour cream and hot salsa--and warm, frosted apple pie. Oh, and cinnamon Churros!
9) Wishing to be the intelligent, blue-eyed version of Jessica Simpson. Her voice and appearance are breathtaking.
10) Criticizing women (in my head) who are skanky rather than sexy. I think that tongue, belly button, nose, eyebrow or more than two ear piercings are trashy looking. I think that multiple tattoos (most tattoos) on women are déclassé. Tacky is the word that comes to mind for women who try so hard to be hot that they wind up looking like an overly decorated Christmas tree rather than naturally beautiful.

Rainy Weekend Fun

We planned on taking a two day trip to the NJ shore over the weekend, but the weather curtailed that idea. We settled for indoor activities.

On Saturday, we went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. The masks and the make-up in the film were mesmerizing. Otherwise, don’t believe the hype. I don’t think that the two and a half hour film was fantastic, but my family enjoyed it. It also turned us off to the idea of seafood for dinner. A live squid head and muscles attached to barnacles on a moldy human cheek were two reasons to have cheeseburgers instead.

On Sunday, we returned to Dave & Buster’s in Northeast Philadelphia. My kids wanted to play pool and shuffle board—and lots of video games. We played for three hours and then cashed in over 3000 tickets for a handful of prizes, which we could have bought at the 1-5 dollar store for about twenty bucks. We spent about seven times that in the arcade alone. I mentioned it to my husband, but he said it was okay since we had fun winning the stuff.

I sipped a sweet, strawberry/banana margarita, while my son, daughter and husband beat me in shuffle board. Then my husband beat me in pool. It makes me proud when my children’s skill/luck exceeds my own. I have learned to expect to lose most games of skill to my husband, but I’m usually a very close second. I was too full and lazy from our diner brunch to feel competitive.

I am not embarrassed to say that I had fun playing several games of skeeball in lanes next to my kids. My final scores were much higher. Moms have to win once in a while. I was even happier when I realized that they were playing 80’s music in the place. Hearing tunes from my teens brought me back to my boardwalk arcade with my best friend days. I miss them.

Dahlia & Josie Meet

Lavender Love Dahlia

Our new blue-eyed kitten, Dahlia-Rose

8 weeks old

Wonderful Weekend

On Saturday, we spent part of our day in the park, after my husband and I stole an early breakfast date alone and delivered breakfast sandwiches to our sleepy kids. Activities included fishing for my daughter and husband and walking the nature trail for my son and me. My daughter caught lots of sunnies and my husband caught “a bass, a big fat bass”, as he sang over and over to our daughter. He also caught a snapping turtle. I swapped MP3 players with my son and we listened to each other’s noise and had a pleasant chat about things.

We watched the movie Benchwarmers when we came home. It was silly and somewhat amusing if you’re into watching nerds/underdogs pick boogies, get fart faced and suck then win at baseball.

On Sunday, we went to Nifty Fifties for brunch and then took the kids to Dave and Buster’s at the Franklin Mills Mall. We went neon bowling and then played cool video games. We had fun!

The kids followed up the afternoon with two hours of swimming at the local pool while my husband and I chilled on the sofa playing new downloads of the classics, Pacman and Joust, on Xbox 360--and he did Soduko. (Numbers nerd puzzles)

Then I finished a fairly boring book called Time and Again by Nora Roberts, while my husband played Ghost Recon with his “Live” buddies.

Overall we had a sunny Saturday and Sunday. (Except for the fact that I dyed my sun-bleached blonde hair with a darker semi-permanent color—Coastal Dune, which rinsed out after four shampoos and made my gold hair look slightly green. Then I dyed it Cinaberry, which started rinsing out after about five shampoos revealing pinkish strands of once yellow hair. What a mess. Now I think I’ll have to try Nutmeg, which is much darker. I want to tone down my locks for September, which I did last year, too.)

Pink!

You scored as Pink. Pink represents the love for youth and this describes you very well. You have never taken life seriously and do not intend to. Instead you want to see where it leads you and just want to go with the flow. You love flirting, having fun and making the most of everything. Pink 83% White 78% Green 72% Blue 72% Orange 67% Yellow 67% Purple 56% Red 50% Black 33% Which Colour Represents You??? created with QuizFarm.com

Green

You scored as Green. <'Imunimaginative's Deviantart Page'> Green 100% Democrat 83% Anarchism 67% Socialist 58% Communism 33% Republican 25% Nazi 8% Fascism 8% What Political Party Do Your Beliefs Put You In? created with QuizFarm.com

Tasting Wine

Whenever I try to buy wine, I tend to choose the same bottles. I have tried to educate myself on the subject by watching wine courses and reading about it. However, I am not usually brave enough to deviate from buying familiar fruity flavors. I decided to do a little reviewing today before I head out to buy something special to go with my delicious dinner. I don't want to become a Sommelier or a wine snob, but I'd like to discover many beautifully balanced bouquets.

I love all of the adjectives used to describe the taste of wine.

A Few of My Food Network Chef Crushes

Inspiration from these professionals gives me many reasons not to call for pizza.

• Alton Brown

• Bobby Flay

• Dave Lieberman

• Emeril Lagasse

• Giada De Laurentiis

• Mario Batali

• Michael Chiarello

• Paula Deen

• Peter Marr

• Rachael Ray

Fascinating and Frightening

I love watching the Discovery Channel. I recently saw most of an enlightening special called Global Warming, What You Need to Know with Tom Brokaw. I hope that it re-airs soon, as I wasn't able to watch the whole program. I hope that it re-airs often to remind people of the precariousness of our environment--and to facilitate major changes to improve it.

My Bossy Blonde Playlist

1) OK Go “Here It Goes Again”
2) Justin Timberlake “SexyBack”
3) Angels and Airwaves “Do It For Me Now”
4) Outkast “Idlewild Blue”
5) Kelis “Bossy”
6) Christina Aguilera “Ain’t No Other Man”
7) Blondie “Rapture”
8) The Cure “Friday I’m In Love”
9) Rhymefest “Fever”
10) Mayday! “Groundhog Day”

The Trendy Green Drink

• The Miracle of Green Tea

• Does decaf green tea have the same benefits as green tea with caffeine?

• In U.S., Green Tea Ranks Last

Tantalizing

Our family of four ventured out for an early breakfast yesterday. Afterwards, my husband suggested a Sunday drive up to a quaint shopping village on the Delaware River. I decided to go despite the pain in my face and chest. We walked around in the super clear sunshine until we were glossy with sweat and our bags were filled with preppy fashions. My darling daughter wined the entire trip, since I wasn’t in the mood to suck in steam from the old fashioned engine, while chugging around the surrounding towns.

Later that afternoon, an ice cream coned soothed her tongue and our tortured ears. Then we made the mistake of wasting two hours watching Talladega Nights. We chilled in the impressively air conditioned theater and I laughed twice. My husband and my son thought it was a funny film. I wish that I hadn’t exposed my ten-year-old daughter to this moronic spoof.

I love the idea of poking fun at racing, shallow nonsense and product placement. I was just hoping for more than a couple of chuckles. Ricky Bobby (Will Farrell) strips down to his tighty whities and runs around like a maniac. He also kisses his nemesis, Jean Girard (Sacha Baron Cohen), on the lips. I was happy to see them smooch only because Jean’s annoying fake French accent was silenced for a few seconds.

My life hasn’t been too eventful this summer other than my visits to doctors and specialists, watching my daughter’s swim meets and my husband’s softball games--and waiting for my son to return from a week in Disney World and then five days in Nashville.

I took my daughter to the grocery store today, while waiting for my husband and my son to return from a volleyball tournament. A tall, attractive black man who was wearing a stunning suit approached me, as I pushed my sparsely filled cart out of the store. He smiled at me and said, “You know those scenes in a movie when you see a beautiful woman having her hair blown back from her face?" I probably had a surprised expression as I replied, “Yes.” He continued, “Well, It felt like one of those moments when I saw you walk out of those doors.” I felt a smile licking my lips, as my eyes glanced down at the floor. I whispered, “Thank you”, as my daughter followed me to my car. My posture improved a little, as I felt the strength of my long stride and the feminine sway of my hips. A full smile bloomed, as I loaded my groceries into the car.

The next time I cross the threshold of the air blasting vents, I’m sure that I will remember his handsome visage.

Now I’m drinking a leftover light beer from a poker tournament that I recently hosted for my husband and his pals. I don’t even like beer.

Mountain Laurel

Pennsylvania State Flower

King Kong

Giant Gorilla/Blonde Female

Walking Josie

from my daughter's perspective

(our adorable toy poodle)

Frustrated

I’ve been unwell again for several weeks. I wish that I could say that I have been on a sunny, warm and fun-filled vacation with my family. However, I’ve mostly been sitting in bed.

As soon as I stopped taking antibiotics, my symptoms returned. Chronic pain, stinging and swelling in my jaw and neck below the extraction site are a part of my daily life. The lymph nodes on the left side of my neck are tender, painful and swollen. I also have been running a fever from about 99.5 - 100.5. I’m also having headaches, pain running down the left side of the back of my neck and pain in my left ear. The back of my throat has a few white patches on it and some redness and lymph node swelling, which is more pronounced on the left side. Depression is beginning to set in because I’m beginning to lose my patience and hope.

It will take me a while to outline the battery of tests that I’ve been through…

• CT scan of my head and neck looking for an abscess, which was unrevealing except for swollen lymph nodes and a nodule on my thyroid and a cyst in my left sinuses. This test was done a month ago after I had been on Clydamycin for five weeks.
• Stool sample to test for Cdiff infection following colitis symptoms, which was negative.
• CT scan of my abdomen to rule out complications related to antibiotic induced colitis which developed from having been on Clydamycin off and on for more than two years to treat the infection in my gums pre and post extraction of my two left wisdom teeth. It was normal.
• Ultrasound of my thyroid, which revealed that my thyroid was normal and the nodule was benign.
• Camera/light on a wire cord was fished down my throat through my nose to look at my throat.
• Bone scan of my head and neck, which revealed increased uptake in the left side of my neck and brain, but it was not read as osteomyelitis
• Skull X-ray to rule out the cloudy reading/uptake in my brain was read as normal.
• Two EKGs, which were normal.
• Chest X-ray, which was normal.
• Echocardiogram, which was normal.
• Dental scan, which showed the swollen lymph nodes but no issues visible in my jaw.
• Battery of blood tests and cultures were all within normal limits and showed that I do not currently have a systemic infection.

I found all of the tests frightening, several of which required injections of dye or radioactive materials and my body being enclosed in a claustrophobia inducing machine. I’ve been exposed to a lot of radiation. I’ve had lots of blood drawn. Most of the tests were done at the hospital in which my mother died last year, which is still fresh in my heart and mind, so it’s emotionally challenging to even approach the giant brick monstrosity and it’s professionals who were unable to save her life after she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia.

I could complain for much longer about having been sent to the ER three times by my physician (once for a CT scan of my head and neck, once for back pain from colitis and once for chest pain which I believe is related to the jaw/neck infection)--and for having seen my oral surgeon, regular physician, an ENT specialist, a periodontist and an infectious disease doc, all of whom have not come up with a treatment plan or any answers for the reason I’m having these symptoms.

I’m not sure how much longer I can endure this pain. I don’t want narcotics to mask the pain. I want someone to figure out what is causing my symptoms and fix it.

The consensus of the doctors was that I should get a second opinion from another oral surgeon. I called the guy who my physician recommended and the receptionist told me that they would not see me. She told me it was their policy not to see patients who had work done elsewhere.

I believe that my current oral surgeon is a nice guy, but he doesn’t seem to be taking me seriously. He also seems somewhat defensive. I was told after my second recurrent infection post surgery that it was unrelated to the extraction. I patiently explained that the pain that I am having is most definitely coming from the same place where the tooth was removed, deep under my gums and radiating in my jaw. There is obvious swelling directly under the site on my neck and the lymph node chain is quite swollen and tender all the way down my neck and into my upper chest. The left side of my jaw is also visibly swollen and my face and neck are asymmetrical. The muscles on the left side of my neck are protruding due to the lymph node swelling. I am having obvious intermittent chest pain. A few days ago I had pain radiating from my chest into my left shoulder and down my left arm and into my wrist. My chest feels like it is throbbing on occasion. If I follow my lymph nodes down my neck and the same line down my chest with my fingers I can follow the pain on the left side of my chest. It does not feel like chest wall pain, but rather like arterial pain.

My family doctor is the guy who initiated my tests and referrals to specialists. He isn’t particularly warm, but he seems to be trying to help me find the answers. The specialists all seem to point me back in the direction of my oral surgeon who suggested that I rest, eat well and eat lots of yogurt. He told me that I needed to stay off of antibiotics due to the fact that I developed colitis from taking Clydamycin for so long. However since I have discontinued it, my colitis has resolved, but my lymph nodes have become more and more swollen and tender and the aching pain has become more acute in my jaw. It has gotten to the point where I cannot even sleep on my left side because the pressure on my mandible causes me pain.

I am assuming that all of the doctors have refrained from starting antibiotic treatment due to the fact that my tests have been unrevealing and because I had a bout with colitis that could return if they restart antibiotic treatment.

I am also allergic to amoxicillin/penicillin, which limits me to other more expensive drugs.

I am concerned that the infection will continue to worsen without treatment. However I have been told that there is no definite evidence of an infection by my family physician as well as my oral surgeon who suggested that my pain could be muscular in nature. However, that does not explain my chronic low-mid grade fever and pain, as well as the lymph node swelling in my neck. It also doesn’t explain why when I bite down I hear a crackling and fluid sound deep in my left jaw and feel fluid pressure behind my jaw bone and leading all the way up to my left ear. The entire left side of my jaw is also tender to touch.

My pain has never completely resolved post extraction, nor have the symptoms of infection other than while I was taking Clydamycin. Every time I discontinue the drug, my symptoms return and increase until I begin taking medicine again.

Post my second oral surgery in the beginning of June (ten months after my extraction), which was done to check for bone fragments and to clean/rinse out my gums and check the top of my jaw bone, I had inflammation and swelling in my jaw. The jaw inflammation and swelling from the procedure almost completely resolved. After I discontinued the Clydamycin on June 14, the jaw pain and lymph node swelling began to increase. I have been off of Clydamycin since that time.

My oral surgeon chose to do the second surgery despite the fact that the CT scan that my physician ordered didn’t show an abscess or any mass.

I was given one course of Metranidazole post Clyndamycin to treat the colitis. It resolved as my jaw pain increased.

After I took my last dose of Metranidazole, I woke up with hives all over my legs the following morning. I don’t know if it was an allergic reaction to the medication or a reaction to the radioactive material which was injected for the bone scan two days prior. It also could have been due to anxiety, although on the rare occasion in which I get hives from being anxious there is usually one or two on my neck rather than several all over my legs.

I am not currently on any antibiotics. I feel like I might require a dose of IV antibiotics to resolve the issue in my jaw, neck and chest, but I haven’t been given anything due to the unrevealing tests.

On the day of the second surgery, after my oral surgeon completed the procedure he hoped that this it be the answer to my long standing problems, although he stated that he saw no visible abscess and he said the portion of the bone he saw looked healthy. He questioned whether I could have a problem in my mandibular or parotid arteries or some kind of other issue, although he doubted it.

He assured me that my body had the ability to heal sans antibiotics and that I wasn’t going to die. He also told me not to see any other doctors, since they would likely prescribe more antibiotics. However I had to see my regular physician after I had several days of abdominal and back pain and mild diarrhea after discontinuing the Clydamycin. It took me a few days to realize that it was likely antibiotic induced colitis and that I would probably need Metranidazole. At that time, my physician also initiated most of the other tests regarding my dental issues.

Osteomyelitis was questioned, which was read as negative by the hospital physician. I don’t think that the films were seen by my oral surgeon.

During my visit to the hospital for chest pain, the ER doctor ran a battery of blood tests and cultures, which were within normal limits. I also had an EKG and chest X-ray which were both normal.

I contacted a periodontist due to a suggestion by my orthodontist. The periodontist told me that he would help me find some answers. After a brief exam and extensive discussion, he wrote me a prescription for Doxycycline which helps slow down the process of periodontal disease, but told me that it wouldn’t really treat my problem if I had some kind of infection. I dropped off the prescription at the pharmacy, but never picked it up. He recommended that I write down my case history, which is the reason I am writing this. He was the most kind of all the doctors who I have seen. He seemed to understand my distress and offered empathy. However he was unable to help me directly.

I most recently visited an infectious disease doctor referred by my physician. I briefly repeated my case history. I explained that I had had bouts with pericoronitis in my lower left gums around my erupting wisdom tooth off and on for about two years prior to having the tooth extracted. I finally had it removed after my mom died. I put it off at first due to fear of having it removed (and hope that it would resolve once my tooth finished pushing through the gums) and then because I was visiting my mom at the hospital every day during her sudden bout with blood cancer.

His was response was to explain that my temperatures are not in an alarming range. It was 99.6 at his office and has been about 100 each time that I visit my regular doc. It has remained in the same range each day when I take my temperature at home. My temp when I’m well is about 97.7-98.6. The ID doctor also told me that he had no idea about the mandible and to explain to my oral surgeon that while I value his opinion and help, would he please recommend another oral surgeon for a second opinion if he had no other suggestions for me. He stated that there is an obvious problem and pain and he acknowledged the swelling in my neck, but he said that he didn’t know why it was there. He also recommended that my oral surgeon take a direct look at all of my films and tests and told me that he might have access to a computer for the hospital which would show all of my tests. He suggested that I start taking something stronger for pain. I told him that I didn’t want pain killers, that I wanted the source of the pain resolved.

I left his office on Tuesday morning feeling kind of numb and hopeless.

I don't make an appointment to see a doctor unless I feel obviously ill for an extended period of time. Until my wisdom tooth issues began, I very seldom saw a doctor. I think that a lot of people overuse antibiotics and that my body will usually heal by itself. I’ve been lucky not to have had anything more serious than colds or sore throats. After my mom stopped making me see the doctor as a teen for every sore throat, I have rarely seen the inside of a doctor’s office other than for my children’s routine physicals/shots.

The past few weeks have been extremely stressful and emotionally draining. I feel guilty because I haven’t been able to take my kids to the pool or elsewhere. I’m kind of glad that it has rained so often. The yucky weather made me feel a little less like we were missing out on enjoying the summer sky.

Thankfully my dad has been taking my daughter to her swim team practices. I have managed to make her swim meets. I especially didn’t want to miss her first one. I figured that I’d feel sick at home or poolside. I wanted to cheer her on and hug her after every lap. She is a fantastic little swimmer. I’m very proud of her.

Fortunately my son has been helpful. His silliness and hugs have given me strength. Hugs from both of my kids melt my stress and leave me feeling temporarily giddy. I love the smell of their hair. I’m so happy to have two affectionate and adorable children. I just wish that I was all better so I could give them a better me.

My son is flying to Florida on Sunday with his buddy and their family. They will be enjoying Disney World, beaches on the coast and lots of sunny activities for one week. I am glad that he will be getting out and enjoying life even though I will miss his big affectionate and amusing presence.

My sister is a registered nurse and she is concerned about negligence in regard to my treatment. Her best girlfriend is also a nurse and works in telemetry at the hospital and they convinced me to listen to my physician and orthodontist who encouraged me to be conservative and visit the ER for the chest pain. They also both think that I should just be given some IV antibiotics, but I told them that the docs won’t recommend it and the insurance won’t pay for it without positive test results.

I am not concerned with placing blame. I just want someone to offer genuine help and concern. I need the help of a medical professional to find a way to resolve my health issues. I feel like I’m being treated like a hysterical female even though throughout this entire ordeal I have remained polite and patient with each and every doctor despite my chronic and worsening symptoms.

I calmly told my oral surgeon that I was worried. He told me that he has seen lots of patients near death from infections and the last time that I saw him three weeks ago, I was nowhere near that sick. I have been told that I don’t look that sick by my regular doctor and the periodontist, but I certainly feel quite ill.

I’m left feeling like my body is being poisoned by pain and bacteria with no answer in sight.

I have a follow up appointment with the ENT office on Monday. The doctor I saw last time diagnosed me with thyromegaly and told me about a nodule on my thyroid. It added to my concern about my jaw, neck and colitis issues, which turned out to be nothing worth worrying about following my ultrasound.

My regular physician explained that they may want to do a biopsy of my lymph nodes in my neck. However, I don’t believe they are the source of the problem. It’s coming from my jaw. The infectious disease doc said that the chain of lymph nodes in my neck is a response to the problem. But nobody seems to have any answers.

I think that I have done everything in my power to try and heal. I have rested as much as possible. I am drinking plenty of water and decaf hot tea to sooth my throat. I have eaten yogurt with active cultures at least once per day and maintained a well balanced diet. I have tried to go to bed early most nights. I gave up the one drink that I used to try and remember to have some evenings to try and prevent heart disease. I read that I shouldn’t drink alcohol while taking Metranidazole. The drink had been giving me some brief relief from the pain in my face and neck. I had to give up my regular exercise program due to the acute pain from the colitis and increasing pain in my jaw and neck. However I have tried to do some gentle yoga for relaxation. I take a daily multivitamin. I don’t smoke or use any recreational drugs. I brush after every meal and use mouthwash and did regular warm salt rinses post surgery. I use warm compresses to try and reduce the lymph node swelling in my neck about 3xs per day. I have been taking warm showers twice per day and allowing the warm water to run down my sore neck, which helps relieve some stress.