So go ahead and talk about your bad day...
It's been quite a while since I've updated my journal. I'm using some new software, so I hope this all works.
The last few days have been quite hectic. On Wednesday I crashed my bike while riding home from work. I landed straight on my chin, slamming my jaw shut with such force, I broke at least five molars to varying degrees. Three were just large chips. A fourth was split down the center and was making my jaw ache. The fifth was not discovered until the next evening.
I went to the emergency room where I waited for four hours before I was even looked at. The large cut on my chin was finally glued shut. Xrays were taken of my jaw and it looks like I didn't break it. At 3:30 in the morning, I was finally released.
Did I mention that Lela stayed with me the whole time? Most of that in the lobby, with all sorts of crazy people? Some old guy who didn't speak english attempted to hit on her in Spanish. Apparently, he wasn't even a patient or with someone that was. He was just hanging out in the emergency room waiting room. Anyway, it was great of her to stay with me. She's wonderful.
The next day I went and saw a dentist that was recommended to me. After looking over my mouth, it appeared that everything would be okay. He offered to soften some of the sharp edges and I quickly agreed. There was a tooth that was cutting my tongue every time I spoke or swallowed.
After beveling it for a few seconds, he asked me how that felt. I didn't feel a single bit of difference and tried to explain this tooth that seemed to be cracked all the way down the side and was bothering me. He beveled some more, and again, I didn't feel a thing. He asked me to show him with my tongue which tooth was bothering me.
"Oh," he said. "Oh, wow! You really did a number on that one, didn't you!"
This tooth was cracked all the way down to the root. There was only one solution:
"Take these xrays to this oral surgeon three floors above this one. I'm recommending that the tooth come out."
I had my choice between just a shot that would numb my face, laughing gas, or coming back another day and going under. I couldn't eat and was getting pretty hungry, so I opted for the shot. I wanted the gas, but it was more than I was ready to spend and I thought I would be okay as long as I didn't feel it.
It was not okay. Sure, I didn't feel the pain of the cracking and the drilling and the ripping, but I could sure hear it and understand what was going on. It was awful. I can't imagine how it used to be for people when the only anesthetic was a healthy gulp of whiskey. I had sort of wanted to have all my teeth, and it bothered me to hear one getting taken out.
That evening, I felt another of my teeth move.
The next day, both the dentist and the oral surgeon were sure to check each of my teeth this time. Again, I had to take this one out. It was also split down the middle. The oral surgeon told me that he'd never seen such damage without a car being involved. As I was agonizing about having to go through the previous experience again, or pay the extra money for the gas, the oral surgeon kindly said, "Let's take out the money aspect. You've been through a lot, and we'll add the gas for free if you choose that."
God bless you, Mr. Oral Surgeon. I cannot recommend laughing gas enough for that sort of situation. Being able to detach oneself from reality can be highly important to one's mental welfare.
Sadly, yesterday was Lela's birthday. Original plans for yesterday were:
- Go to work.
- Leave work around two in the afternoon.
- Have tea at the Ritz-Carlton.
- Go to Lela's mother's house, hang out, and have dinner later.
Thanks to the laughing gas and Vicodin®, I felt good enough to go along to Lela's mothers, and was even able to help out a bit, but I still had to take it pretty easy and couldn't really eat anything harder than the very soft birthday cake.
A lot of other things have happened since I updated my journal:
I moved to San Francisco and got my own apartment. It's been great having my own place, as expensive as it is.
Lela and I saw The Dresden Dolls with Katie and Jon. The show was amazing. Everyone needs to listen to The Dolls.
I got a promotion. That's been nice, though difficult sometimes for various reasons.
I turned 24.
I'm missing a lot of other things, but life's been good. Last couple days have been bad, but my friends, family and coworkers have all been really great to me, and I'm thankful to have them all in my life.