10/06/2008

Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This


It is now almost 1:00 AM and I am not sleeping because my toothache will not allow it. I have always had a healthy fear of dentists but from time to time my fear of dentists is overcome by my aversion to pain. This last week was just such an occasion. I have a bad tooth and when the orajel, whiskey, and any number of painkillers failed to quiet down the pain I made an appointment with the dentist. That was Friday morning. After seeing the dentist I was advised that my tooth is too weak to pull and that I would need to see an oral surgeon. Well, to make a long story short I'll be going to the oral surgeon for the first time in about 8 hours. I have never seen any kind of surgeon before and have never been put under. I'm usually excited about new experiences but these are two experiences that weren't exactly on my list of possibilities. If they are able to wake me back up I'll let you know what I thought of this whole experience.

22 comments:

Pasadena Closet Conservative said...

Good luck, buddy. We're "pulling" for you!

funkyaxe said...

praying for you bro

Ducky's here said...

It's not a complicated procedure, papa. Buck up, you'll do fine and think how much better you'll feel when it's over.

Besides, an infected tooth is a very serious health danger. Glad you're getting it taken care of.

Papa Frank said...

Thanks , Ducky! I just got home and everything went well. It's still a little hard to type correctly and the left side of my face feels like it's made of granite. Other than that, it was much easier than I imagined. My wonderful wife is out getting me the pain killers they prescribed and a chocolate milkshake instead of the ice. What a saint she is.

Papa Frank said...

Thanks for the thoughts funky axe and pcc.

nanc said...

you big baby!

i've had four root canals without the benefit of anesthesia - of course, the teeth were already dead due to a sporting incident...heaven help us when you get the snippety-doo-dah!

bwah! *;]

nanc said...

p.s. - i should send you my assortment of painkillers - can't take any of them - they make me sick to my stomach.

Rita Loca said...

YIKES! i would rather deliver a baby than have a tooth worked on,{{{shudder}}}

Brooke said...

I was going to say good luck but you're back already!

Go with a chocolate malt for dinner, extra malt. :)


I'm glad all went well. I've had a few surgeries before, (not that I went out of my way or anything) and it really is no big deal. Heck, other than the post-op discomfort, it's been some of the best rest of my life!

Anonymous said...

I"m a little late on the well-wishes.
Nanc would be my kind of nurse! ;-)

Glad you did well, Jason.

The only oral surgery I ever had was having all four wisdom teeth cut out. I swear it only took him 5 minutes! ;-)

Papa Frank said...

All is well:

Loving wife -- CHECK

Chocolate malt -- CHECK

Lortab -- CHECK

Comfy chair -- CHECK

Z said...

SO glad you're back, and that they, indeed, were "able to wake" you back up!!

I'm with Brooke..that moment after they've given you the stuff and you're drifting off is bliss!

Enjoy the pampering..tell Mrs. Pops we thank her for taking such good care of our buddy! xxx

The Merry Widow said...

I had a bad root canal pulled a year ago July, it took longer to numb me up than to pull the split root.
My sinus headache was lesened by getting rid of it! In fact, when I was called that evening, I hd less pain from the extraction than I did with the sinuses!
Upper or lower tooth? Upper developes the clot better than the lower(go figur), AND DO NOT USE A STRAW FOR 24 HOURS! It can suction the clot out and you end up with a dry socket and all the accompanying problems!
Glad you are back and okay, now I have a leaky washer...

tmw

Papa Frank said...

TMW -- It was an upper tooth. I've also had trouble hearing out of one of my ears for the last 6 weeks or so and am hoping that rotten tooth was affecting that as well. If it doesn't clear up in the next week or so I'll go to the doctor and have that checked out. For someone that does preventative maintenance every day on school buses you would think I'd make it to the dentist or doctor more than once every three years or more. God works on my stubborn streak and slowly but surely I am learning.

Z -- Everyone kept telling me that they would have me start counting backwards from 10 and I'd be out by 6 or 5 or so. They never even got that far. I remember the assistant asking me if I felt any different and I said, "No, not really." Next thing I remember is her and my wife starting to help me up out of the chair. It cost extra to be put out but it's an extra cost that I will be paying every single time.

Chuck said...

Without any doubt you did the right thing getting it pulled. I saw one case where an upper tooth became abscessed and the infection went to the brain. This is hard to cure.

So, now that you are cheered up, glad your doing better.

The Merry Widow said...

An upper molar can wreck havoc, all of mine press against my sinuses..if my sinus hurts, my teeth hurt, if an upper tooth hurts...yeah.
A molar is awful close to important gear in your head, like eyes and ears. And brain...

tmw
And it is a relief to have it over with.

Mantha said...

awwww, papa frank,

so glad you survived your trauma.

my son has the unfortunate predisposition of poor teeth. partly due to genetics, partly due to autism. in any case, he had to have 2 tooth extractions and 2 root canals last fall. thousands of dollars, 2 sedation dentistry visits, and a permanent bottom retainer later, he emerged from the dentist, where mom had a cuddly new webkinz waiting for him and lots of hugs.

i feel for your wife, who probably suffered more than you, as all she could do was pray, wait and watch.

just think, now your tooth will be all ready for the yummy goodies at disneyworld. :-)

Steph said...

Lortab is the bomb.com.

Glad you made it through okay. :)

The Merry Widow said...

How are you feeling today?

tmw

Papa Frank said...

A-OK

The Merry Widow said...

GOOD!
Good morning, G*D bless and Maranatha!

tmw
How's the ear? Did that clear up too?

cube said...

Goodness, I missed the whole thing, but I'm glad you pulled through.