Times are tough in this old world lately. So much upheaval politically - questions about finances and health care abound. Makes you want to just hide out for awhile. And I just got to do that very thing, but not by choice....
It seems that a nice big molar decided that it was done questioning whether to live or die. It has been a mildly cranky tooth for a few years, but only occasionally. And this time it let me know in a rapid and sharp fashion that it was time to ring the death knell. The pain continued to escalate and radiate through my entire jaw and most all the other teeth were feeling sympathy pains! I was fortunate to be able to get in to see a dentist pronto. And that had me thinking about what it would be like not to be able to get immediate care when in pain...
When I get ill, I usually get hit hard with whatever it is. The last time I was down flat with some sort of crud, I got very sick and didn't bounce back easily. As I lay in bed day after day, I thought about what kind of pioneer I might have been. And I knew in an instant that I would have spent time bouncing around in the back of a Conestoga, wrapped up in blankets with a high fever and coughing until I died. I have a cousin whom I also pictured living back in those days - but she would have been one of those saloon gals! And if I would have had a tooth problem like this back then, she, being the closest thing to a sister I have, would have plied me with cheap whiskey until I was drunk and would have yanked my tooth out with some blacksmith pliers!! I am sure glad I live in more modern times!!
The dentist I saw got me through the first part of the procedure and sent me home with pain medication (which I did not take). But after a couple of days, something went wrong and it seemed like there was an infection brewing. So I had to call the emergency number since it was the weekend. They were able to call in a prescription for penicillin and I started taking it and the pain pills for the first time. I got two doses down and on Monday I became really ill from the medications. I called the dentist and he had me stop the meds and start on an anti-inflammatory. I was glad because I could not take another dose of those meds that made me so ill.
Today I went back and he finished the root canal and put me on 14 days of medication for the pain and swelling. I just took the first dose. I sure do hope that I feel okay tomorrow... And I am really looking forward to being able to chew again..... he said to wait a couple of weeks.... Oh, boy, more pasta and beans!!
Chalk this one up to extreme gratitude. Gratitude for having medical insurance, gratitude for the advances of modern medicine, and most of all, gratitude for the dentist that made the commitment (and sacrifices) to go through so much schooling and become a dentist Yes, it is fun to use our dutch ovens and play pioneer but when push comes to shove, give me modern health care!! And let me keep my teeth!!
3 comments:
My gramma once told me that she had all her teeth pulled without the novacaine because the dr wanted $2.00 for it. I was dumbfounded. I guess that was what it was like in those days. She needed them out so she could get dentures.
Anyhow--I am grateful for real medical care too. We had #3 son to the urgent care this week, they think he either has an enteric virus or the beginning of a chronic problem. (several run in family) anyhow they were able to give him a drug that let him sleep.
I'm not for much of the spending these days in government but I am for some sort of healthcare for poor folks--not mandatory for all of us--but something to cover those who have none. To me that seems like th least we could do.
I've had several root canals done. None of them have been very pleasant, but one was particularly painful. I suffered through a week of pain but the dentist couldn't figure out why it was so bad. One night my husband and I went into the hills to go sky watching with his telescope. When we were about 3000 feet above sea level the pain mysteriously went away and later when we went down the hill it didn't return. I'm not sure what it was, maybe a trapped air bubble? My dentist was as surprised with the cure as he was with the cause. I was just glad to have the pain gone. - Margy
Margy -
Yes, the root canal thing can be rough. This one is all done except for replacing the crown and I am still having some issues. The Dr. said it could take more time to heal. I'd like to know when to decide if things are not going well... I was back in there today to have my teeth cleaned and I really took a beating. My whole mouth is sore now! Can't wait for the next appointment!! This has been my first experience at this dental office - I have been commuting 300 miles round trip to my old dentist for a number of years. But the root canal pain cleared my head enough to make me realize I need a dentist closer to home!
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