The Joys of Tooth Removal...not for the Squeamish

I apologize to my Facebook Friends as this

is now old news.  But to those who only read 

here it will not be old.

Gross maybe, but not old. 

For months I have struggled with an

upper molar

that I knew was dying.  

It would give me jolt like shocks all 

of the time.

I could feel my pulse beating in it if 

I bent over.

Don't even think about getting

it cold.....ugghhh.

Finally chewing on it became a problem.

Understand that as a former dental assistant

in an office that specialized in root canals

I knew exactly what was happening

but when I went to my dentist there was 

no evidence on the x-ray yet.

It was just too soon.

Last week I woke up in the 

middle of the night with horrific pain in 

a bicuspid on the lower jaw.

I mean pain that made me sweat!

Every tooth on that side of my mouth 

hurt somehow and I didn't know 

what to make of it.

I suffered with it for a couple of days 

and then called the dentist's office.

The receptionist suggested I try our 

family doctor in case it was a sinus infection.

I really dislike going to the dentist so I went with that

plan....knowing better, of course.

Surprisingly...not....the doctor found no 

evidence of a sinus infection.

So...back to the beginning.

As the pain continued to increase and 

our departure date drew near the pressure from

the family increased to get this thing taken care of.

They did not want me messing up our time in Kentucky!

I don't blame them.....

So, yesterday, I found that side of my face swelling 

and I did what I had known all along I would have to do.

I called the Oral Surgeon.

This is not a tooth that I am willing to spend

$2,000 on.  By the time I would get done with 

root canal, post and crown that is about where we 

would be.

The extraction time was set.

I showed up.

A minor miracle in itself as I really dreaded it.

They took me back quickly.

The doctor said little.

He set about to remove the tooth.

He pushed and pulled.

He said, "I hope this doesn't break."

It broke.

And broke again.

He requested a new instrument.

The one he was working with had bent.

Then he called for the drill.

Two roots were stuck and 

he had to drill them out.

All the while the man is not wearing 

a mask....which surprised me greatly....

is leaning across me....laying on me....

and breathing in my face.

Really?

I haven't been to a dentist who worked without

a mask for ever!!

That, in itself, made me nervous.

But, he finally declared the job done

and assures me that he got it all.

I pray he is right.

He ordered an antibiotic because he said

it was badly infected.

No surprise to me.

And I drove myself home through

some of the worst pain of the whole deal.

I took the pain medicine he gave me last night

and regretted it nearly immediately.

I got so strange feeling and nauseous.

The pain remained!

Not doing that again.

When the family returned from their 

day at Hershey Park

Chelsea made me mashed potatoes.

That was all I could think of that I wanted

to eat.  They were wonderful.

That's my girl!!

I remembered the advice of a friend,

Mrs. Rabe, 

and found some Naproxen that had been

prescribed to me at some point in the past.

I took it and the pain eased up.

I slept like a baby.

A good baby.

Not a fussy baby.

LOL

Praying for a better day today.

We have much to do in order to prepare for

our trip.

Others have offered to help but it really isn't 

that kind of stuff.

So...I am headed to the kitchen to find

food enough to support an antibiotic 

and another Naproxen and then the day can 

begin in earnest.

Wishing you a very normal

and healthy day.

We don't treasure those normal days as we should.

But I do know one woman who does.

My friend Theresa.

Her grandson was born with serious

complications and she finally had her first

normal day yesterday.

She loved it.....

You can read her posts here.....

Love ya!

And friend who so kindly ordered from

my Etsy shop...I mailed your

order on the way to the 

oral surgeon's office.

Loved the distraction.

Thanks!!!!!