Greg,
Welcome!!
I echo those who are trying to help you get over your wait. I know don't woorry about it doesn't really help. Try and preoccupy your mind with the little things you take for granted and don't pay much attentiom too...it worked for me.
This is a great site, with wonderful caring people, and there is tons of information from personal experiences to scientific research.
Keep us posted.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, good luck.

Mike

Greg - It helps to talk to whatever health professionals you come in contact with about your situation and they can help direct you toward resources for those without health insurance. My son's maxillofacial surgeon waived his fee because of his circumstances since it was a teaching hospital with a cancer center and because my son would be part of a cancer study with interns observing the surgery and treatment. There was a drug reimbursement program for which he qualified which took care of the drugs he had to have every day before going to his radiation treatments. There are lots of other hospital expenses but the hospital was really great with setting up a payment plan for him. He's back at work now and with lots of bills and having to make up child support payments (for 6 yr old daughter) missed while out of work and disabled but he's a lot better off than he was a year ago.

thanks everyone for the welcome and thank you Ann Marie for the advice about the teaching college.I am near unc-chapel hill so I may look into that as I learn more about this.

Thanks everyone for having this forum,it really has helped me feel alot better.

take care
Greg

Greg - When is your dentist appointment? Sometimes appointments can be moved up if you call and ask. When my son's oral surgeon's office made an apointment for him with the surgeon for a week later, I was such a basket case that my ex-daughter-in-law called for me and moved it up to 3 days later! It's good you are checking out Chapel Hill. If you do a search on OCF main page for Comprehensive Cancer Centers you will find the url for Chapel Hill at - http://cancer.med.unc.edu/ - and many others. The Chapel Hill website can give you lots of information about their cancer center that can help prepare you for making a decision or be able to ask questions of your dentist.

Greg --

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has a program that focuses on the importance of ensuring that those without medical insurance are able to get coverage (its primary focus is children, but the site also includes information for uninsured adults). This page connects you to guides for each state -- simply click on your state on the map.

The main part of the OCF site also provides insurance information .

All the best,
Leslie

Greg: Buzz and I are just 'down the road apiece' from you in Central N. C. (Montgomery County) Keep us posted as to your situation, and let us know if there is anything we can do to help you!

Lois & Buzz in NC