Holy Molar

The past month has been another scorcher for all of us, but the biggest scorcher of all was on my pocketbook.

I started having some pain in my jaw recently that would not go away. I couldn’t tell if it was in my sinuses, my left ear or a tooth. Because popcorn hulls have been known to crawl down and rest way under the gum and tooth I thought perhaps if I flossed enough the culprit would appear and all pain would be over. NOT!

I called my dentist who was in Honduras on a mission trip. So I saw his associate who had my left lower jaw x-rayed. No problem seen in the x-ray! I thought about having my ear cut off next, because if not the tooth it must be the ear causing the pain. Another appointment could be made if I needed one the receptionist said. Okay, I’ll wait since it was suggested the pain might be from a bruise from chomping my jaws too much on food. This pain went on for some sleepless nights and restless days, when I called my dentist once again and told them “Pain, pain, I’ve got pain!” Another visit to the dentist’s office, another check on the tooth - - another appointment, antibiotics and back home to suffer. About a week later, back to the dentists office (He’s back from Honduras), says root canal, but he can’t do it. Roots too small - - specialist needed! Now I head for the Endodonist one week later, and more x-rays (put me to sleep please) for now I’ve learned it is going to cost $1500 on a tooth that has already cost me more than the cost of 5 months of groceries--it’s a capped tooth. I asked if I get to keep my cap. The answer is yes if they don’t crack it during the drilling.

The digging for gold begins! Three, I say 3 hours later I’m squirming in the chair. Bladder is full, mouth is full and jaw is throbbing, toes are curling and spit is flying! I can’t talk. Do I just act like I pass out and pee in the chair or just act like I had heavy sweats from the drilling and pain? What signals do I give that I’m about to burst. Yikes, the nerve has been hit - - gold has been found, they see I’m about to die from SOMETHING so they temporarily fill the tooth and send me packing until next week when we will dig for gold again., I jumped up out of the chair and said “Are we taking a bathroom break?” Neither one of them are squirming. They are cool as cucumbers. They point the way to the room I want more than anything else in the world at this time. I head in that direction nearly running. A little girl runs in and closes the door just before I leap through the door. She apparently is having a stomach ache - - she is staying for a while. I stand on one foot and then the other. My hand nearly goes between my legs as I did as a little girl to hold back the yellow river. Finally, the door unlatches, I nearly run over her getting into that room to sit on that wonderful cold throne, and save myself from further embarrassment. Ahhhhhh, relief. Next week I’ll wear a Depends or do without liquids for a couple of days before my appointment. More to come…