Tuesday, July 7, 2020

The Teeth


This is a sad post.

I'll start with corona update: things seem to be out of control as far as 'corona crisis' is concerned. So far, we have over 30 thousand infected, over 12 thousand actively ill, 340 deaths (r.i.p) - thousands of tests being performed almost daily.

There was a beautiful face in the news last month, that of a young man (26) who had  died of corona complications (He belonged to the recovery group;  something went wrong, and he had to be re-hospitalized and put on ventilator. Sadly, they couldn't save him).

In the 'news'  picture, he had a broad smile revealing his perfect white teeth.
The sight of his teeth brought back to me the memory of another tragedy.

Some twenty  years ago, I visited a  neighbor at the hospital. She was dying of liver cancer. When she saw me she greeted me with a faint smile, but big enough to display her perfect ,white, pearly teeth. 

I was quite in shock at the discrepancy between her terminal medical condition and her pretty, 'lively' teeth.  We're constantly told that bad teeth and gums have a bad impact on our body's health. Isn't the opposite also true? Namely, if the body is  ill, doesn't it affect our teeth and gums?

Well, the answer is yes, of course, and there's a long list of diseases (diabetes at the top) that are said to affect oral health. 
Perhaps her case was special. She was in her early forties, no smoker, and I knew of no other disease she could have had.  Genetics was probably involved as well. 

May they both rest in peace! 


44 comments:

  1. 26, so very young. When this pandemic began, I wondered how much loss each of us will bear. I've known several with heart disease. They can also look very healthy and normal.

    It is hard to wise and upbeat during times like this. Age does make a difference, we all live through a lot. My dad also passed a great deal of wisdom from growing up during the dirty thirties.

    It is ironic in that my main concern is the comfort of my 89 year old mother. She has lived through a lot. But, I don't like the idea of her not having what she needs to be comfortable and well cared for.

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    1. I'm angry at the lack of transparency in the media. They give us general numbers, but no details, especially not age. They did that only in the beginning when they thought it's an old age disease, but it's not. It targets all ages.

      There are many young people among the hospital corona patients; luckily, most of them recover, though some with health problems.(Relatively to the high number of actively ill patients, there are low death numbers).

      The 26 year old corona victim was mentioned in the media because his family has accused the hospital of negligence, and so the media had a "good" story.

      Delete
  2. Very sad news. May they both rest in peace.

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    1. Indeed, Sandi.
      Two young, beautiful people - one tragic fate.
      May their soul rest in peace!

      Delete
  3. It is so sad when young people meet untimely death. The latest is Nick Cordero's passing. His loving wife posted such hope for his Covid recovery over a period of 95 days on Instagram. It boils down to people's fate, of which we have no control.

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    1. Terribly sad!
      I've heard about Nick Cordero, the Broadway actor of canadian origin. Such a talent, and only 41 year old!
      True, we, humans have no control over our fate. All is in the hands of God.

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  4. Sad about the deaths, it sure is a trying time for so many with Covid-19 being around and rather frightening in away. We are lucky on this Island as our border is closed and we have had no cases for nearly 2 months, border is supposed to open soon but won't to some States and Territories in Australia due to them having too many cases. Australian border is still closed.
    Teeth, amazing that they were so white when ill.
    You take care.

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    1. Countries are closed for us, israelis. Rightly so. We've been careless, still are. Politicians play the popularity card - people want everything to be open, so no drastic measures are being taken. We hear only bla, bla, bla - empty promises.
      Your island is a model for the entire world. Keep up the good work!

      Delete
  5. Maybe good oral hygiene too with recommended visits to the dentist, etc? So sad with both lives lost. Numbers are sky rocketing it seems everywhere and I don't really have an answer to that. Lots of testing being done. Our deaths seem to be going down a bit. There really is no rhyme or reason to this all. I continue to pray for safety and good health for those I love and trust God knows best, no matter what happens.

    betty

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    1. Deaths seem to be going down, because age is also going down. Lots of young people among the infected who, thank God, don't die easily; they recover relatively quite quickly. At least, this is how I see it, here, in Israel.

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  6. So sad. Wishing healing and full recovery for all currently impacted by illness.

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    1. Thank you for the good wishes.
      Just to think of it - thousands of people infected by the virus and ill - it makes one shiver.

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  7. Before this Coronavirus is finished with us, it is going to take quite a few more, white teeth or not.

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    1. It definitely looks so.
      Everyday we hear something new and frightening. The latest - not to use aircondition as it frantically spreads the virus. Starting with the end of week there will be no AC on buses.

      Delete
  8. It is a sad post, Duta. All this virus is sad and quite a mess. I feel for anyone who has lost someone dear to them -- I fear that will be all of us in good time.

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    1. I try to convince myself thatI'm a pessimist by nature. The truth is I'm a realist; I look straightly into the eyes of reality. It doesn't seem to be good.
      May God help us!

      Delete
  9. This is so sad, may they rest in peace. My prayers go out to all who are suffering from Covid-19. And, a special prayer that we all remain safe, healthy, and BLESSED through this virus.

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    1. Thanks for your prayers, and blessings.
      They're welcome. May God answer them!

      Delete
  10. Our local hospital has had increase of COVID cases. My husband is following up at the hospital with his doctor appointments and learning many more have been admitted. It's sad because loved ones cannot even enter the front door. I have to wait outside in the desert heat for him. Fortunately, not long waits.

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    1. If things are not urgent, perhaps your husband could avoid the hospital for the time being. Your waiting for him in the hot desert is unpleasant.

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  11. It's getting better and better in Belgium fortunately ! But moving in a half lockdown was not easy and the masks hard to wear. There still were lots of charity shops closed and I couldn't get rid of our clothes ! What a move awful !!

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    1. I'm glad you're back blogging, Gattina. You'll soon be over the unpleasant saga with the moving company.

      It's great news, about Belgium and the virus! Hopefully, things keep on getting better.

      Delete
  12. Incredible tragedy in both cases, so hard when young people have to die. I can't wait gor this horrible virus to stop. Stay safe everyone ☺

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    1. Aren't we all waiting and hoping for better times? A vaccine, perhaps, might be available in the upcoming months, but nothing is known for sure.
      Stay safe and well, you too!

      Delete
  13. I feel sad lately for all the ridiculous politics and so disturbed by foolsih leaders who think the virus is a reason to release prisoners, but the man with no brain who thinks he is king, wants all schools opened or he says he will withold funding. This world is such a mess. Wishing you peace. So sad about the tragedies you experieced.

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    1. Politics is indeed greatly to be blamed for the mess we are in, and for our feelings of sadness and gloominess at the sight of this mess.

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  14. So sorry for the sadness. May the covid finish soon in Israel and all the world.

    Blessings and Shalom.

    Shabbat Shalom♡

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    1. Thank you, Shayndel for your kind words.
      May God stop the workings of the virus, and save us from its ravages.
      Blessings and Shalom!

      Delete
  15. Saddened to read about these deaths, Duta, and really any deaths especially those from this virus. It seems that more people who have been put on a ventilator have died and so I wonder if the cure was worse than the cause.

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    1. Well, some physicians claim that less invasive support than ventilators might be more safe and effective, especially for the elderly.

      Delete
  16. Indeed, it is a very sad when young, looking great people, especially when they smile with good and clean teeth, and then unexpectedly they had gone (RIP).
    Husband of my friend just passed away from liver cancer. He had no symptoms till the last stage (Stage 4) of cancer. He just survive couple months even he got all treatments for cancer. He knew there was no cure for him.

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    1. Sorry about your friend's husband.
      The neighbor in my post had a cousin, an oncolog living in the USA. The latter was involved daily by phone in her treatment, and yet they could not save her.

      Delete
  17. There is so much sadness in the world today...too much.

    The weight has to be lifted soon.

    Take good care, DUTA....stay aafe.

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    1. Agree with you on that.
      I believe only God can lift the weight of that sadness; we, humans are helpless.

      Delete
  18. It is a very difficult situation, with this pandemic. I think we will figure it out, except in the US. They are doomed!

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    1. I'm glad you think so. I'm rather pessimistic about that; the main reason being our government's incompetence and the population's unwillingness to conform to the guidelines.
      Praying to God will help.

      Delete
  19. That is sad. The Covid cases are going higher here too. It's crazy how bad it's getting right now.

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    1. The world is expecting a vaccine, but I'm not sure it will solve problems. More like it might create additional problems.
      In the meantime, restrictions are lifted due to pressure from the public, and numbers of infected go up.

      Delete
  20. Replies
    1. Death is always sad. In these two cases it's also tragic, as it involves the lives of young people. Their death = untimely.

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  21. May they both rest in peace.

    The virus is not easing and so many countries have lifted restrictions and are now imposing more localised lockdowns as numbers increase.

    The world is a very different place to what it was a few months ago, and I don't think anyone quite knows the final outcome of these changing times.

    Stay safe and well.

    All the best Jan

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    1. There's a lot of talk about vaccine coming up, many pharma names invoved in the race (yes, it's a race).

      We'll eventually get the vaccine, but at what cost! So many lives lost in the meantime!
      And I'm afraid I'm not too optimistic as far as a vaccine efficiency is concerned.

      Delete
  22. I read the comments and I too am quite upset at the fact that if someone tests positive they don't disclose the name of that person, even if they only did that to co-workers. You probably read my blog post where I returned to the office. Only myself and one other person returned. Of course we took all the necessary precautions, wearing masks in the office, shutting our doors. She was sniffling a lot but said it was allergies. The 2nd day we both came to work but I left at noon because of tummy issues. The 3rd day I came back & my coworker look clammy and sweaty and she could not stop coughing. I had to call my superiors & they sent her home. She tested positive for COVID and first thing they did was tell me that I was not allowed to tell ANYONE because of privacy laws!! We have an office in a big building, we share a common bathroom, everyone should have been made aware, but nope...not allowed to tell anyone. It's ridiculous, this is not a disease to be ashamed of. I could understand if it was sexually transmitted, but it isn't. It's just crazy. Needless to say the 4th day they sent me back home to work and I will be at home for sure until the first of the year and then we will see. So sad about that young man, so young. Oh and by the way, my coworker is fine now, she's in her 30's and it affected her like a bad cold, coughing, fever and chills, but two days later she was fine.

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    1. I'm glad your co-worker is ok, but the policy of not telling the others in the office about her testing positive to covid, is not ok. I am with you on this.
      Here, they give us only numbers (of infected, dead,in critical condition); they keep us in the dark about age and way of infection The numbers are sometimes confusing, and the lack of details such as age doesn't add to our understanding of how the virus works.

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