life can change in an instant

jose (half my patients are named jose) came today. mom was a little concerned since he was in a nursing home for 11 months, and she believes that they never brushed his teeth.

run down on his med history: jose is 27 (like me!), but at 26 he had a stroke. they discovered he had an arteriovenous malformation (genetic disorder, where circulation is affected in the brain). so, he nearly died. but he says that "God is good!" and he is happy to be alive, despite his left side being paralyzed. mom has to take care of him, but med assistance provides a nurse 40 hours a week (paul, originally from ghana).

we tried to do as much work on him as possible today because it's kind of an ordeal getting him in and out of the wheelchair, in and out of the dental chair.

the first thing he said to me was, "you're very pretty!"
the second thing he said to me was, "you have beautiful eyes!" (can you even see my eyes? -__- i guess it's the only thing showing since we all wear masks here...)
the third thing he said to me was, "i liiiike you!"

i can only imagine how he behaved with the ladies before his stroke.

mom explained to me that jose was, is, and always will be 'a player'. jose agrees, as he wets himself in the chair and struggles to find a comfortable position using his right foot and right arm to move himself around. before his stroke, he fathered 4 children, and shoutouts to two babies' mamas. no marriage here. but, it's nice to hear that the moms bring the kids over to spend time with dad.

kudos to all the caregivers out there.
and kudos to all the survivors in healing out there.
be strong persevere!