Howdy all. I posted earlier, about being a phobic (and diabetic and
possibly having cancer).  Well, it doesn't look like I have cancer, but
my white cells are still too high, so I get one more chance to 'pass'
the CBC, and then I get a bone marrow biopsy--basically to rule out
anything horrid.  The hematologist thinks it may just be a weird stress
reaction from me, and that my diabetes (I'm official now, but we're
still awaiting test results to see if I'm t1 or t2, doc is sure it's
going to be t1, since I don't fit any of the t2 profiles, and my BG was
190 pre-glucose and 315 post glucose. Didn't get a reading below 200
until late the next day... spiked over 400 on my meter...) and the
stress it is causing is continuing to elevate them. Actually, the only
reason I get one more chance, is that I had an allergic reaction to the
first med I was put on (prior to the endo getting the OGTT results, but
the same day I took the test). She's thinking maybe my white cells are
still high from that. If they are high one more time, she's thinking a
biopsy would be prudent, as often problems show up there before they do
in the blood (blood smear showed nothing abnormal, I had one test with
low platelets but that has resolved, all else has remained normal other
than the WBC.  My kidney and liver tests were all slightly elevated, but
that is explained by diabets. I did have an abdominal cat scan, (as a
result of the med reaction, had stomach pain too, WBC was 22 at the
time, face was really swollen, but doc wanted to rule out a hidden
infection in the tummy), and it was all normal--no enlarged spleen, no
swollen lymphnodes, kidneys and liver normal etc. So that is good
according to the hematologist.

So, I had my first teeth cleaning on Tuesday. They cleaned the whole
left side of my mouth, and I did great. (well, the massager in the
chair, the heated aroma-therapy neck wrap and the 5mg of vailum helped
immensely). The Hygienist was also AWESOME as are all the staff in the
dental clinic I go to. From the receptionists on up, they really make
you feel at ease the moment you walk in the door. That is great for a
phobic patient. You can definitely tell the whole office is specialized
in dealing with phobics.
I go back on the 20th to get the right side cleaned, and then my whole
mouth will be clean!!  I will be taking better care of it too, so it
will stay clean, and in six months, I can get the whole thing cleaned at
once, because there won't be that much to clean! YAY!!

Just thought I'd update you, and let you know I have survived the
dentist. The best thing is, I have free dental insurance at work, so for
a moderate co-pay every six months, I'll get these services covered.
The free insurance covers all preventative stuffs, but not much of other
stuffs. Fortunately, I've got no cavities right now (some older
fillings, but those are good), and I've got the good family genes (and
don't have the bad habits of drugs, smoking and drinking that those with
the bad teeth have) against tooth decay. So, with my new resolution to
take better care of my teeth, I should be all set to keep them for life.
(and I resolved this before I even knew diabetes was a possibility, but
it's even more important to do this now that I'm diabetic!!)

Thanks for all the advice I got here, and for being a welcoming group.
I've learned that finding the right dentist is VERY important, and that
there are great dentists out there who deal with phobics in a very
caring manner.  Any one in Iowa who needs a phobic specialized dentist,
let me know and I'll give you her name!

Emily