3 weeks prior to departure
-My local dentist points out potential swollen gum issue above 20+ year old dental implant during cleaning. Has no firm explanation. I should “watch it.” Here begins a period where I lift my top lip up and ask various people if my gum looks swollen because I really can’t tell.
-Awake with lower back injury from lying in own bed.
2 weeks prior to departure
-An intense regimen of 2x a week back PT begins at a very friendly chain called Maxwell that I never heard of before. They give out prizes. So far I have received a branded stress ball, a smoothie and most recently a bottled essence of some sort.
-I observe a small amount of blood below the gum I’m supposed to be watching. I commence stalking my local dentist (and text my non local dentist and oldest friend). My implant might be failing, I might have a local infection etc. It is recommended I take some antiobiotics with me in case my gum explodes. Best case scenario is I get to the bottom of this mystery upon my return. I try to half glass full the situation by looking at it as an opportunity to add a dash of suspense to the trip!
1 week and a day prior to departure
-Thanksgiving morning I learn my mom has been contending with a high temperature for 6 days. The doctor she calls gives her the option of entering the hospital immediately or taking a very strong dose of antibiotics. I made a trip to our local CVS and thus begins an odd period of wondering at what level of health/sickness I am comfortable leaving my 80+ mom for 6 weeks and 22+ plane hours away. This is not math I want to do.
-Later that night while attempting to talk and open up a bakery box at the same time, I slice a steak knife into the tip of my left index finger. There is a surprising amount of blood that even more surprisingly refuses to stop gushing. My brother pulls up an abstract on the computer that confirms his suspicion that the motrin I had taken hours earlier for my bed back injury was interferring with my ability to clot. He does not read the abstract.