A Dental Adventure
I'm miserable. So I'm hoping to get you to laugh at some point. Or smile. But when I hurt, it's a greater challenge. Here goes.
Having lost two teeth on my own -- meaning, no dentist -- I knew I needed a professional. Once my insurance was in place, I became a new dental patient. It was confirmed I have a degenerative bone disease. Time for action! Past time, really, but I won't go there.
According to what insurance will permit as opposed to the dentist's recommendations, every single tooth in my mouth was extracted on Monday afternoon, Day One. Since I'm allergic to codeine, the usual prescription-strength medication was denied me. The recommendations were to recline rather than lie flat in bed, keep the replacement 'teeth' in for the first twenty-four hours, and alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Warning bell: Usually a prescription is written but all I get is OTC. Oh, cow patty, not a good sign.
My diet for the balance of that day was milkshakes and yogurt. We tried canned chicken soup, but the mushy noodles were too much for me. Observation: There must be an invisible hole in my chin, and the spoon is a challenge. It allows broth under the plate, which waits until I'm otherwise focused and then dispenses the broth on my clothes and face. Yes, I'm wearing a lot of my food. Really offended one gal who works here. Since it was her, it's okay. Different story.
Day Two I kept my follow-up appointment. A great deal of 'adjusting' took place. She could find the areas needing drilling or sanding by finding the 'sore spots' (blisters). It took the whole hour. I was given something to put in the plate to help with the discomfort at those 'sore spots.' This was the first time they'd been removed since placement. Permission was received to start salt-and-warm-water rinses. Hallelujah! I've looked in the mirror when brushing and am fairly familiar with what can be seen of the interior of my mouth. Now it looks like an alien landscape. Mars, maybe.
I added pudding to my diet. Observation: Turn the spoon bowl-down and let the mighty muscle of the tongue do the 'heavy lifting.' I wore less, at least. Tummy's happier, too. I love my hot coffee. But right now, if it's not cold, no, thank you! So I bought some iced coffee drinks, of course. And I've had iced tea in my life since I can recall. I might make it through this after all. Rick bought me a McFrappe as a treat. He also arranged for my shift to be covered tomorrow by Not-Me. Or is it Not-I? Either way, I'm not working! I doubt I could complete a phone conversation and be understood, and in-person would probably be unpleasant for the guest. I'm practicing by counting the sixties. Get that 'S' under control. And 'P.' And 'T.' And ... Oh, forget it! It hurts too much right now anyway! I'm keeping my mouth mostly shut today. Yeah, go ahead and mark the calendar.
Now, it may sound it, but sexual innuendo was not my goal when I first scribbled the next part. For entertainment, keep the double entendre in mind. Knowing where to put something may not be sufficient information to achieve a satisfactory result. For Mindy, I just said, Knowing where to put it doesn't guarantee you'll be satisfied. It took a bit of an effort to not only figure out where to place the upper plate but to get it to stay in place. The lower, or floater, is appropriately named. Sheesh! But I managed to wrangle it to the best possible placement. Thus 'dressed,' I began Day Three. It wasn't long before I called the office and asked if I could use Ambesol or one of those products on my gums. Numb sounded pretty good, even if it does taste horrific. With caution I can. And I have the product I was given at the clinic -- but that goes in the plate, not on the gum.
Well, it seems I need a day of mostly no inserts, of being a toothless, yucky-looking old hag. Hmm. Pain or yuck? Yuck until I have to deal with someone and then limited time of pain. That's woman's vanity for ya'. I may not be a spring chicken but I'm still a female. Hey, one of the reasons I'm trying to quit smoking is those little lines women smokers get just above their upper lips. Well, no teeth deepens those wrinkles in a flash! Now, THAT'S just plain uncalled for, I'm tellin' ya.' I'm ready to cover mirrors. Life's not fair. But it's not a reason to quit quitting.
Concerned about being wimpy or a problem patient, I was assured I have been through a great deal in a very short period of time. Sometimes that many extractions at once happen with hospitalization and not as an outpatient of the clinic. Figures; it sounds like my life. Oh, well, onward and upward. Right? I'm pretty certain I'll be calling in tomorrow morning right after I insert them again. Oh, well. I don't like the feeling of those blisters; what can I say? Adjustments = Relief. I don't care if I have to go every other day. If this is what I have for the balance of my days, then they're gonna be comfy, dammit! Well, I can try.
I know each person's life is a special journey, customized to him or her. I know there are joys and sadness on the way. I know each journey has its share of adventures. I know there are hardships and wonders on an adventure. If one is lucky, there are many adventures along the journey. I've certainly seen many and that makes me one of 'the lucky ones.' This particular adventure has been fraught with pain and fear and hardship, but I've met caring people with good hearts, I have a chance to improve my health in yet another way, and my husband has been given the opportunity to do for me for a change. He feels he's taking care of me again. That's good for his health and his soul. This adventure is not yet over. Who knows what excitement is waiting around the next bend? Hope it's happier than Tuesday!
Having lost two teeth on my own -- meaning, no dentist -- I knew I needed a professional. Once my insurance was in place, I became a new dental patient. It was confirmed I have a degenerative bone disease. Time for action! Past time, really, but I won't go there.
According to what insurance will permit as opposed to the dentist's recommendations, every single tooth in my mouth was extracted on Monday afternoon, Day One. Since I'm allergic to codeine, the usual prescription-strength medication was denied me. The recommendations were to recline rather than lie flat in bed, keep the replacement 'teeth' in for the first twenty-four hours, and alternate between acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Warning bell: Usually a prescription is written but all I get is OTC. Oh, cow patty, not a good sign.
My diet for the balance of that day was milkshakes and yogurt. We tried canned chicken soup, but the mushy noodles were too much for me. Observation: There must be an invisible hole in my chin, and the spoon is a challenge. It allows broth under the plate, which waits until I'm otherwise focused and then dispenses the broth on my clothes and face. Yes, I'm wearing a lot of my food. Really offended one gal who works here. Since it was her, it's okay. Different story.
Day Two I kept my follow-up appointment. A great deal of 'adjusting' took place. She could find the areas needing drilling or sanding by finding the 'sore spots' (blisters). It took the whole hour. I was given something to put in the plate to help with the discomfort at those 'sore spots.' This was the first time they'd been removed since placement. Permission was received to start salt-and-warm-water rinses. Hallelujah! I've looked in the mirror when brushing and am fairly familiar with what can be seen of the interior of my mouth. Now it looks like an alien landscape. Mars, maybe.
I added pudding to my diet. Observation: Turn the spoon bowl-down and let the mighty muscle of the tongue do the 'heavy lifting.' I wore less, at least. Tummy's happier, too. I love my hot coffee. But right now, if it's not cold, no, thank you! So I bought some iced coffee drinks, of course. And I've had iced tea in my life since I can recall. I might make it through this after all. Rick bought me a McFrappe as a treat. He also arranged for my shift to be covered tomorrow by Not-Me. Or is it Not-I? Either way, I'm not working! I doubt I could complete a phone conversation and be understood, and in-person would probably be unpleasant for the guest. I'm practicing by counting the sixties. Get that 'S' under control. And 'P.' And 'T.' And ... Oh, forget it! It hurts too much right now anyway! I'm keeping my mouth mostly shut today. Yeah, go ahead and mark the calendar.
Now, it may sound it, but sexual innuendo was not my goal when I first scribbled the next part. For entertainment, keep the double entendre in mind. Knowing where to put something may not be sufficient information to achieve a satisfactory result. For Mindy, I just said, Knowing where to put it doesn't guarantee you'll be satisfied. It took a bit of an effort to not only figure out where to place the upper plate but to get it to stay in place. The lower, or floater, is appropriately named. Sheesh! But I managed to wrangle it to the best possible placement. Thus 'dressed,' I began Day Three. It wasn't long before I called the office and asked if I could use Ambesol or one of those products on my gums. Numb sounded pretty good, even if it does taste horrific. With caution I can. And I have the product I was given at the clinic -- but that goes in the plate, not on the gum.
Well, it seems I need a day of mostly no inserts, of being a toothless, yucky-looking old hag. Hmm. Pain or yuck? Yuck until I have to deal with someone and then limited time of pain. That's woman's vanity for ya'. I may not be a spring chicken but I'm still a female. Hey, one of the reasons I'm trying to quit smoking is those little lines women smokers get just above their upper lips. Well, no teeth deepens those wrinkles in a flash! Now, THAT'S just plain uncalled for, I'm tellin' ya.' I'm ready to cover mirrors. Life's not fair. But it's not a reason to quit quitting.
Concerned about being wimpy or a problem patient, I was assured I have been through a great deal in a very short period of time. Sometimes that many extractions at once happen with hospitalization and not as an outpatient of the clinic. Figures; it sounds like my life. Oh, well, onward and upward. Right? I'm pretty certain I'll be calling in tomorrow morning right after I insert them again. Oh, well. I don't like the feeling of those blisters; what can I say? Adjustments = Relief. I don't care if I have to go every other day. If this is what I have for the balance of my days, then they're gonna be comfy, dammit! Well, I can try.
I know each person's life is a special journey, customized to him or her. I know there are joys and sadness on the way. I know each journey has its share of adventures. I know there are hardships and wonders on an adventure. If one is lucky, there are many adventures along the journey. I've certainly seen many and that makes me one of 'the lucky ones.' This particular adventure has been fraught with pain and fear and hardship, but I've met caring people with good hearts, I have a chance to improve my health in yet another way, and my husband has been given the opportunity to do for me for a change. He feels he's taking care of me again. That's good for his health and his soul. This adventure is not yet over. Who knows what excitement is waiting around the next bend? Hope it's happier than Tuesday!