OUCH! (Pat)

Posted by papotter | Filed under Uncategorized | Jan 21, 2012 | 6 Comments

This will be short today due to a tooth removall today (Friday) and a hefty amounts of pain relievers, steroids, and antibiotics. Warning: I’m not responsible for anything in this blog today.

I always like to hope that I have a bit of a heroine in me. Just a trace, maybe.

I want to be steady in an emergency. I want to offer help when help is needed. I like to think I would spring to action if someone was in danger.

But mention a dentist to me, and I turn into a mass of trembling jelly. Having had some bad experiences in the past, I tend to view any visit with great trepidation. Today proved me correct when a visit turned into three hours of misery, when a broken tooth (from Christmas toffee) proved extremely stubborn in being removed (I must admit a few other repairs were made). And no, gas, which I insisted upon, did not help at all.

Dentists hate to see me come in the door. Perhaps it’s the utter terror on my face.

Or the pile of books I always bring. I know, I know, this is ridiculous, but books are not only a distraction, but just the feel of one in my lap provides comfort. Three multiply that feeling. What if another patient had an emergency and I was stuck for hours in one of those small, white rooms furnished with wicked looking drills? (What was the title of the film in which the villain tortured the hero by using dental instruments?) I can’t remember the name but I remember every horrifying moment. It has haunted me for thirty some years.

Then I explain in great detail that although I think dentists must be very nice people, I would just rather not test that belief. And yes, I do want gas, despite the fact that they explain, again in great detail, that it is completely unnecessary with all the new techniques. Well, it really hasn’t been that long since my last visit. I didn’t notice any new techniques. The drill still drills, and what looks like plyers still pulls and the picks still gouge.

I survived, which is a good thing, but I look like a beaver with swollen cheeks and orders not to drink an alcoholic beverage for twenty-four hours. I was also told I must eat soft foods for three weeks as to not disturb a temporary crown.

But I must admit I will be most happy to go to Spain with fine teeth, and I am really, really glad I didn’t live in the 1880′s when I probably wouldn’t have any teeth at all or have them jerked out by Doc Holliday.

And now off for another pill.

Remember, I warned you.

6 Responses to “OUCH! (Pat)”

Darla says:

01/21/2012 at 8:02 am

Kind of like having rabies shots when your 8, puts you off needles for the rest of your life too!

Don’t blame you a bit, I’m not really comfy when it come to the dentist either! They have the dreaded Novocaine that’s put in with needles!

Hope you feel better soon!

I loved your last post about chocolate!
papotter says:

01/21/2012 at 1:20 pm

Darla. . .So glad you liked the chocolate post. I was disappointed to see no comments on the post, then discovered there were no comments on any of our posts this past week. The blogger site struck again and, as usual, Tara came to the rescue. And yes, indeed, I do feel better today.
Lynda says:

01/21/2012 at 8:53 pm

Pat: I’m glad you’re feeling a little better, but please do take care of yourself. You want to be all healed for Spain. Oh, and FYI, the movie was MARATHON MAN. Dustin Hoffman and Laurence Olivier. I watched it once, many yeas ago, and that was enough. Gentle hugs.

Lynda
robyn in iowa says:

01/21/2012 at 9:23 pm

Pat,
OUCH! to the dental visit. Like you, I dislike those visits with a passion. Hope the dental work heals soon.

As for the cholocate post, I was disappointed not to be able to put my two cents in. I LOVE chocolate (as I sit here and eat semi-sweet morsels minus the cookie dough), so I also loved your history lesson. I have a co-worker from Bosnia who is constantly commenting that chocolate here in the US is simply nothing like chocolate from Europe-especially Germany.

I can’t wait to hear more about your trip!
Thea says:

01/22/2012 at 11:49 pm

Chocolate from Bruge, ooh la la! And Bruge has canals, down which boats go, but tiny boats, but Antwerp port is near. There is a very violent film which shocases the city’s beauty, its architecture, artworks – oh, beer! – so watch with sound off, but watch. DH bounced in his seat when it came on international flight (I was reading Romance) because gorgeous shots of the film were shot from the hotel room of our visit. Oh, such a place, oh, such a visit, oh, such the chocolate –
Anonymous says:

01/23/2012 at 6:51 pm

Robyn and Thea. . . Yes, the chocolate in Europe is much better than here in the states. I’ve never had a lust for chocolate before, but if I lived in Europe . . .