...is exactly why I created this blog. It makes me incredibly happy when I hear that sharing my experience is helping others. I received the below email today and quickly asked the author if I could share it as it's that good!
"Wow! First, I must say that your blog is amazing and it's helped me take so much out of the guesswork for my trip to Costa Rica for dental work. I had a rough idea of what I was doing but, now I feel more certain of my plan thanks to you and your blog. You did so much research and I'm so grateful. I had also narrowed my search down to Nova dental and Dr. Anglada, but now I'll be giving Dr. Prada a call too.
If all goes well I'll be off to Costa Rica in a few weeks. I'm familiar with dental tourism and had implants placed on some top back teeth in Tijuana. That was an interesting experience, but to make a long story short, I WON'T be going back there! It's been almost 3 years and the implants have healed and it's time for the new final product.
I was especially touched by your post about getting personal. I too have battled alcoholism most of my life. I'm now 34 and almost 7 months sober. It's crazy to think how differently I was living my life and treating my body this time last year. I (drunkenly) fell off my bicycle and chipped then hell out of my front teeth in December. I also found myself homeless after getting kicked out of my place for never paying rent on time. I had to move in with my sister and her husband for a month and that's when my family finally got to see just how badly my alcoholism was progressing. They knew I couldn't be counted on and that loved to party but they didn't know I was drinking all day, every day just to get by. I did manage to find an amazing place for rent at the beach that was way out of my current budget. If I kicked the booze, I might be able to swing in. So, on January 23rd I broke up with alcohol for good. By February 1st, I was painting and moving into my new beach cottage and a new way of life. Quitting drinking hasn't been that hard for me either. I had my moments in the beginning but once my head cleared up the urge began to subside. I'm happy to say I now begin my mornings with a bike ride at sunrise on the beach with my dog at my side. My bills are paid and I'm a happier, healthier, truer version of myself. But, like you I have one last matter to clear up: my teeth. It's the final reminder of how bad I let myself go. I can't hide it. I can't truly smile a genuine smile to express how great I feel now. The bad teeth have to go. I cashed in some stocks I didn't know I had (my sister never told me, because I was a drunk mess). She protected me from myself until she knew I was ready to use that money wisely.
I thought your blog was great before reading this particular post and now I feel like it's some sort of destiny. We have lived parallel experiences and suffered similar fates. It's just another one of those signs I've been getting since I sobered up that I'm on the right path, and I GOT THIS! Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time and energy to really put it all out there and be honest with your entire experience. This is exactly what I needed to read today. Costa Rica and new teeth here I come!
Regards,
Blythe"