Wisdom Teeth

I am thirty-five years old and FINALLY had my wisdom teeth removed on Friday. My dentist has been suggesting it for the better part of ten years, but when is there ever a good time to schedule an elective surgery. I have seriously considered having them removed a few times during those years, but things like trial schedules and pregnancies always thoughtfully rearranged my schedule. My goal was to have them removed over the Christmas holidays, but the surgeon was on an extended vacation, which bumped us to MLK weekend. I’m still thankful that I managed to schedule it for a long weekend because I was in no way ready to go back to work today.

I’ll be honest, they were pretty bad. I had one tooth that was part of the way in and already had a cavity. Two were completely impacted. The worst one was impacted, although the gums were already completely open over the tooth, and it was sitting right near a nerve and had to be broken before it was removed in pieces. I’ve been a nervous wreck for weeks. I usually handle medical procedures with no problems, but something about this had me freaking out a little!

Josh was at home with a sick Sophie, so my mom took me to the appointment on Friday. After I got there and filled out all of my paperwork, I had to watch a video about the potential side effects and complications and then have a consultation with the doctor pre-surgery. He walked me through everything he was going to do, including breaking the fourth tooth to remove it without causing any nerve damage. I told Josh, I remember getting the IV and the doctor telling me that I might be alert during the procedure, but wouldn’t feel anything. That turned out to be the opposite of my experience. I next remember a nurse putting a monitor on my index finger and showing me some clamps she was going to put on my arms and the next thing I knew I was in a different room and could hear my mom talking. She kept smiling and giggling at me, so I’m sure whatever I was saying – or attempting to say – was ridiculous. I remember using my phone to take a look at myself and I remember asking her how much everything cost. I’m also pretty sure I asked her multiple times to take me to Chick-fil-A for a chocolate milkshake. Doctor’s orders. I pretty much inhaled the milkshake and we picked up my prescriptions on the way home.

I slept consistently for the next twenty four hours. I know I was awake a few minutes at a time several times to take medicine, eat a few bites or use the restroom, but for the most part I slept. I do remember getting sick once a few hours after getting home and the only thing I can compare it to is a panic attack. All of a sudden I was so hot and I couldn’t get my clothes off fast enough. I knew I felt funny, so Josh helped me get undressed and grabbed me a bowl just in time to meet that chocolate milkshake for a second time. Thankfully, that was the only time I got sick and I slept pretty well throughout the night.

On Saturday, I managed to take a shower and stay awake for 30-45 minutes at a time each time I woke up for medicine. I quickly discovered that I didn’t plan well enough for food while I was recovering. We’re in the midst of Whole30 and we quickly decided to take a break for a few days. My mom picked up 2 pounds of chicken salad from Chicken Salad Chick (both were gone within 48 hours) and Josh ran to get me squishy french fries, fountains cokes and instant oatmeal. I tried eating eggs, but they felt too weird in my mouth. Oatmeal and coffee hit the spot – soft and warm. By Sunday afternoon, I was feeling much better and I managed to stay awake most of the day. I worked on a few projects around the house when I wasn’t laying down and I cooked a huge pot of potato soup, which was pretty easy to eat.

I’ve been in a lot of pain, especially on the side where the tooth had to be broken. The pain medicine is working, but it keeps me in bed and makes me a little bit mean (sorry, girls!). For the most part, I’ve been binge-watching Mad Med and Pretty Little Liars, trying to finish my book when I can keep my eyes open and challenging Josh to numerous games of Subway Surfer. All great things that can be done from bed! My plan was to be back in the office on Tuesday, but I’m still taking pain medicine and Josh is still singing the theme song to Chip & Dale every time he sees my puffy face. I’m going to pray that I wake up and look more like myself tomorrow. I’m not sure I can subject the outside world to this face!