Knowing how strong you are I like to think it has been you who kept you alive. You are truly amazing Cora. I know also that you will pull out of this. If you ever get truly desperate and can stand to do one last thing, give serious consideration to having that root canal extracted. God, if it doesn't work I'd hate to think I suggested even considering it. But search around a little. That Meinig DDS was a good fellow, did root canals 20+ years and then turn-coated on the system after he learned how damaging they are and wrote a book " root canal Cover-Up" Had it been authored by anyone else I might bat an eye or two at it, but Meinig was a power-hitter, and obviously a good man for having the courage to write about the truth.