It’s the day after. I could’ve written yesterday with no issues but… buckle up for this one.

Arrived at my usual time and got the usual documentation signed then I was handed my script for a single 2.5mg of Ativan. Got my medical certificate and off across the hall to the chemist (drug store) in the same complex.

Went to the counter and they made me take the tablet in front of them so they could time it. Sat back down on the couch and just waited. I had my handful of questions I had text to my wife to ask him in case I had forgotten. Popped my airpods in and kicked on my music. Soft enough that I could hear commands.

The Ativan usually takes about 30 mins to kick in for me, and a solid hour of complete dopiness. Close to 45 minutes went by and I didn’t feel quite ready but relaxed enough that I was allowing him to start. Yep, go for it.

So Ideally, the appointment was to remove what was left of my bottom teeth but keep 1 post and two teeth on either side of my jaw to anchor the temporary plastic bridge. Dr. Nirav wasn’t too impressed with the bridge because he thought they looked rather big and stated he may have to file some of it down, but not to worry, he’ll get it right for me.

Now somewhere during the process of getting my bottom jaw numbed, the Ativan still hadn’t fully kicked in like it usually does. Some areas, I think he missed when numbing me. And laying there being sorta half out of it and half aware, my imaginational images were coming to the surface. As my mouth began going numb in some areas I felt like i had swollen chuck of lip, a swollen chunk of cheek, just blobs of skin hanging off my mouth area.

Then came the removal of the old bridge.

In the 15 years that I’ve gone to this same Dentist, not once has he ever made me cry. Yesterday, I did.

I can’t even begin to explain how or when or why it happened but apparently he had trouble getting the old bottoms off. I still had old teeth that had been grinded down and two implants to house the denture type bridge but one tooth had somehow melded together with the bridge.

All I can say was that there was a lot of grinding, digging, and more grinding. Some pulling, pushing, and even more grinding. What images was I seeing? Construction girder beams and sparks flying from the grinding tools, circular saws and jack hammers… it was insane what my imagination was seeing. Could I hear my music? Nope. And after 2 hours my airpod batteries had died.

What transpired from it all was a tooth that couldn’t be removed no matter how much he yanked and pulled and the numbing agent had worn off. I was sunk so deep into my chair, pushing back, I wondered if I was going to fall through it. My little stuffy frog I take with me to squeeze, I nearly tore it in half. Tears were streaming down my face and moans of UGH UGH UGH were escaping my gaping mouth. Dr. Nirav kept stating it shouldn’t hurt but FUCK it was! I was shaking in the chair. Tears were falling but I wasn’t in full on bawling mode. They took a little break and had me relax and Nirav must have realized the novacaine had worn off or there wasn’t enough in that spot.

So I relaxed a bit, my wife came over and rubbed my leg, and everything kept saying I was doing really well.

Welp by the end of it all, I was told I would have a sore jaw. TICK! And that’s about all that’s sore. A little bit tender where the bone grafting was done. I didn’t feel that but pressure (pressing, packing) and then I had stitches to stitch up my gums. Images? Yeah, opened my eyes and there’s a spider web across my face! Ah hahahaha! Luckily I’m safely over that fear so I didn’t try to swipe them away. It was the thread handing over me.

So what happened? The Ativan didn’t kick in as expected. The novacaine wasn’t provided in the appropriate places, and due to some infection in my remaining teeth had cause a bit more pain for me.

Now, look, pain for me, is usually not a big deal. I can handle the needles, Yeah they fricken hurt! That endless pinch in your gums, but I can’ tolerate it. I managed to tolerate what felt like endless tooth ripping out of its socket with some tears. But I sat still. I didnt GAG!! I didn’t GAG! I didn’t GAG! And I’m so proud of myself for how I managed to go from a 3 hour appointment to a 5 hour appointment.

I need to go back in 10 days to see how things are looking. I cannot chew on my left side as modifications had to be done so I have nothing to chew with on that side. Liquids and soft foods for about 10 days. I’ll have to wear this temp for a few months, probably 3, I think I heard.

Inspite of the day I had, I was aware of everything, I was in pain for 1/5th of it, yes I did cry but Dr. Nirav was proud of me. He actually expected it to go far worse with me. My wife had to say to him… it’s not about the pain or the needles/shots, it’s the gagging. I didn’t gag once.

I came home had a small bit of liquid food/pumpkin soup, layed down for a couple hours for a little nap, then up again for a few more hours and then had a decent nights rest.

As far as pain factors today (Saturday). Nirav did say my jaw would be sore. And yes, my right side by my ear is sore. It hurts if I try to yawn so I can’t open my mouth fully yet. My gum line on both left and right are a bit tender but aside from that I feel nothing. I’m on mild antibiotics and Advil if needed.

I think I need to up my dose of Ativan for next time.