The pilgrim lives……..
Let me start by thanking all of you that have posted, emailed., and sent messages on Facebook about my surgery. It would have been a lot tougher than it has been without your prayerful support and expressions of good wishes! Unfortunately I come from a family with bad genes in terms of dental health. Over my 68 years I’ve had numerous root canals, and teeth rebuild on posts. In spite of all the efforts I increasingly have had less good teeth to chew with, so Tuesday I had all the rest extracted and today have a beautiful bright smile of straight teeth! I also have a black eye and swollen jaws, but that will all get better, and I pray chewing is in my near future. I’m living on soup and Slim Fast!!! No problem needed to drop a few pounds, maybe a few dozen!
Funny story; my father, William Pelle Fortney had dentures in his very early years, I’m guessing in his 30’s or 40’s. He was one of the rare people that never had a minutes trouble or frustration with his dentures. I used really envy him that he could drop off his dental problems at the dentists office and pick them up when they were fixed!!!
I don’t deal well with pain and my least favorite times have been in dental chair. Sherelene once said of my pain management, if I had been Eve, there would be no human race! Now no one knows if I will get used to this mouth full of marbles, but a man’s got to eat and chewing is part of the process. I’m telling all of you this because those of you that I will see over the next months and years, I want you to know why I’ve learned how to smile. Most of my life I’ve learned to smile without showing my teeth, except when I was wearing my hillbilly teeth! Sherelene got braces some years back and has a beautiful smile and every time I looked at her glowing smile I wanted to give my best to the world I see every day. I believe that a smile can say so much to someone, and I want to give everyone I meet the same acceptance and love, God has given me, and commanded me to share! Nice teeth will make that easier.
So that is the mystery behind the surgery. This morning I had my first check up since the surgery Tuesday morning and got a good report, things are progressing well, thanks for your prayers. While I was out t his morning a took my X-E1 and a couple of lenses and tried to capture the overnight snow fall. I hope you enjoy them.
Thanks again for being such a great group of friends!
So once again thanks fro covering me in your prayers like the snow graced the earth overnight. The affects of your prayers will last long after the snow has melted!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Thursday, February 13th, 2014 at 4:50 pm
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Bill, I have never met you but somehow I feel I know you, maybe we just share some values. Since yesterday I have checked your site hoping to see you have posted and are doing well. I recently had cataract surgery and when someone asked me how it was, I just tell them it was easier than having my teeth cleaned; so the dentist is not one of my favorite places to go either. Great to hear you are doing well! Living just north of Huntsville Alabama near the Tennessee border I hope someday to go on a workshop you put on around my area. Anyway get to feeling better and get ready for a great 2014.
Randy, I hope we can to! Join us in Nashville with Ricky Skaggs! Thanks for what you shared, it makes me feel great when I can relate to others, an they can with me!
Typo, X-E2!
It’s good to see you are on the mend. Good teeth are not cosmetic. Good teeth and good alignment of the teeth can improve a person’s overall health and life. Any cosmetic effects are icing on the cake. Hopefully, anyone reading the blog will see the need to look after their dental health along with other aspects of their health. Photography is a lot more fun when your healthy.
David you are so right, I shouldn’t have failed emphasize the far more important reason for good teeth and our overall health! I guess when you get to my age anything that improves your appearance feels good! My advice to everyone is do all you can to avoid having no other choice!! ….and your right photography and good health go hand in hand!
Bill, I have had major reconstructive work done (in some place they call Lull-vull — ever hear of it?) and quite literally “feel your pain.” It will get better each day. One thing that will be hard to adjust to is your “new teeth.” You will likely have an understandable tendency to want to chew gently until your mind become convinced that they can do the job. It takes time. Best to you.
So funny, every time I fly into Louisville (Lull Vill). The locals always get tickled when flight attendants pronounce it differently!!! I’m only. Two days in and can already see it’s going to be a chore, but life is filled with challenges, and this will just another, the most recent, God has and will provide!
Glad to hear you’re doing well!! 🙂
Thanks Anna!
Bill, I’m so humbled and blessed by all you’ve shared here – my brother went through a similar surgery. The best is yet to come. The hardest part is behind you. I pray the Lord heals you quickly and that you will be out there shooting more amazing photography in the blink of an eye. And of course, in knowing Jesus – the best is really yet to come for all of us 🙂 Thank you for your love for our Lord. May the Lord just pour out great blessing and comfort on you today. Catherine
Oh….and I forgot to say – thank YOU Lord – the Pilgrim lives 🙂
Thank you Catherine, He is being all and more than I need!
Yes and it’s good to “really live”!
Bill, thank you for the sharing and asking us to pray for you. I’m glad things are going well. You know, you’ve helped me learn about the power of united prayer. I use to be very private and felt it wasn’t really manly to tell people about my pain, troubles, trials. That was until you and others (and of course Jesus) helped me realize I have brothers and sisters who want to pray for me and want to gather in prayer for me. And that it is powerful and comforting. And so I continue to pray for your healing and pain relief. I always feel blessed to pray for you-anytime. And even in pain you go out and capture some inspiring photos! Rodney
Thank you Rodney, I cherish and desire your prayers, and they work, God always works miracles when we ask!