Tender Sweet Expression of Love

After a few days of increasing pain I finally called the doctor and was diagnosed with "Dry socket."

Definition by Mayo Clinic: Dry socket (alveolar osteitis) is a painful dental condition that can occur after extraction of a permanent adult tooth.

Elizabeth was very aware that mommy was not feeling well today and when we were getting ready for bed she said "I am going to say a prayer for you and then sing you a song. Would that make you smile?" I, of course, said yes and she proceeded to offer up a prayer and then she sang the first verse of "I am a Child of God." My heart sang with joy along with her. Thank you Elizabeth - I Love You Too!

Options 1, 2, and 3

Post Oral Surgery
When we arrived at the doctors office at 7:45 Monday morning the receptionist's facial expression demonstrated a lack of enthusiasm for our presence as my two young children, already hyped up on Frootloops, and my ever-ready to entertain husband entered the small waiting area for the approximate 2 hour wait.

After an anxious 10 minutes or so I was ushered into the office and handed a long list of possible complications and asked to initial each indicating that I was properly informed - standard procedure. I laughed out loud as I read over the possibilities. The nurse looked at me several times obviously assessing what mind altering drug I might have consumed prior to our visit. I assured her that I was a bit nervous and that this list could be a serious problem for someone who was overly sensitive to stressful situations - not me of course.

Off to surgery. Although I chose to be sedated for the surgery they gave me laughing gas along with some anesthesia prior to the actual sedation. I am still unclear as to why I needed all three. As the gas started taking effect I asked the nurse if they get people saying pretty funny things from the gas. She replied that she really does not know why they call it "laughing gas" because only people who are really silly to begin with get silly. She said it really just relaxes you. Well I immediately started feeling like the life of the party. I wanted to crack jokes and I wanted to entertain. I tried to refrain but I did let loose with what I thought to be witty comments to the nurses as well as the doctor. The doctor sorta snickered and then left the room.

There was a brief period when the nurses were administering all the medications that I began to feel nauseous and like I was going to faint. I informed the nurses and they said that it was from the oxygen mask - that I was probably getting a little claustrophobic. They lifted the mask off my face a bit. I informed the nurse that I was quite sure I was not feeling claustrophobic. We went back and forth a few times on the subject until the feeling subsided. Shortly thereafter I was lights out.

As I was coming out of the sedation after the surgery I was aware of the nurses and I was feeling a sense of love and that I wanted tell everyone that I loved them - I was aware of the reality of things and I refrained from telling the nurses and the doctor that I loved them. But I remember thanking everyone several times - I felt very thankful indeed - but I realized I was being repetitive. I asked the nurse to thank the doctor for me and she said - "Oh, you did - you thanked him." I suspect I was repetitive with him as well :- )

Overall, the experience in the doctors office went well. However, recovery is not fun. On several occasions throughout the week I have questioned why I voluntarily did this but quickly reminded myself that problems were eminent with those pesky wisdom teeth and waiting would likely not have a good result in the long run.

I am so very grateful for my fabulous husband who took off two days from work so that I could virtually sleep through Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday was a blur. But, what luck, Thursday was a holiday and I again got to sleep as much as I wanted. He is taking great care of me and is an awesome father too!

Oral Surgery

I had a consultation with an oral surgeon yesterday. I am now scheduled to have all four wisdom teeth extracted on Monday - two of which are only partially above the gum-line and are also partially covered by bone. I was given three options and/or a combination of the options: option 1 -Local Anesthesia, option 2 -Nitrous Oxide and option 3 -I.V. Sedation. The pamphlet said that 80% of patients choose option 3 - sedation. I too was planning to go that route from the beginning but, for a few seconds, I was considering whether or not I could, or rather, would be willing to go the less chemically intrusive and much cheaper routes (options 1 & 2). Also, the idea of trying "laughing gas" kinda interested me - "why not laugh my way through it?!". Ultimately, I chose option #3 I.V. Sedation. I Just "Can't" Do It! I know that I could do it if that was what I needed to do or had to do but really, my anxiety level is rising right now just slightly contemplating the idea again.

So, I came home to share the news with my husband. I explained the situation, the options, the results, and the bottom line ($) and I have to admit I was feeling a bit guilty about the cost of the "unnecessary" I.V. sedation. When I read in the Dr.'s office that (only) 80% of patients go with sedation, I instantly knew that my husband would, without a doubt, interpret that as a challenge and most definitely go without! I shared this with him as well and he agreed that he would not be sedated (he also said something about not being a "wimp") but that he understood why I wanted to and supported my decision. I agree with him that I am caving in to my inner wimp, but I will just have to accept that and go with the "flow" (I.V. humor).