When I am down and overwhelmed with a sense of helplessness my life comes to an illogical standstill. I stop thinking, stop working, stop eating, stop sleeping and simply stop living.

And today, I am yet again engulfed with this dreadfully familiar senselessness. 

yHang got his dentures this evening, after months of visits to the dentists for fittings, etc. We have been preparing him and telling him that it might be painful and that he must endure the discomfort. He says that he will try and has been looking forward to getting his removable teeth!

Thank goodness, the upper dentures fit perfectly and comfortably. Unfortunately, the lower one merely sits on his very thin gums with no teeth, except for a molar to hold it in position. As a result, though there is no pain, the dentures ‘floats’ around in his mouth and he finds it extremely difficult to talk.

“Mummy, can I take off the dentures because I want to play with Ye Ye. Its difficult to talk with the dentures on,” he requested. I encourage him to have them on. He took them out for dinner and went off to play without them later. I reminded him to put them on again. I knew he was reluctant. It’s just too bothersome for an active six-year-old who wants to get on with his life, playing. But, without any protests at all, he says, “OK, Mummy.” The whole evening, he tries and he tries and he tries to talk without extruding the lower dentures.

And suddenly, his lower dentures flew out when he talks too loud! Everyone, including himself, had a great laugh. 

But my heart really aches. Terribly.

Here I am encouraging him, he tries, but I am not even sure if it is possible to talk with that darn floating denture. I felt so helpless. I really hate this feeling where I don’t know what is the next step I should take. I really loath seeing my beloved little one tries, tries, tries, tries …. and failed.