A little less wise.

Yesterday, April 2, at 9:00 AM in Greenville, Rhode Island, I had my four wisdom teeth extracted. It was a bizarre experience!

Now unfortunately, I've had my fair share of Novocain in my life, so yesterday was no surprise in that respect. What was a surprise was the idea that the "laughing gas" was supposed to calm my nerves, and bring me to a more manageable place, when in fact, I didn't feel any different! Sarah has explained to me that it worked because I was so easy to deal with. Either way, I didn't feel high or happy or "laughy".

Nevertheless, when I first sat in the dentist's chair, the nurse explained to me how the procedure would go forth. First: the gas. Calm the nerves, float the mind. Second: Inject the Novocain. With more than one cavity, this didn't really startle me. What startled me was the last step: Extraction.

For close to an hour I had a guy with a scalpel, a one-pronged fork, and an occasional drill snapping, crunching, pulling, pushing, and drilling his way to each of my four wisdom teeth. He was great, explaining each step before he went forth and letting me know when things might be a little extra uncomfortable. By the time he reached my last tooth, the Novocain was wearing off and I needed a couple extra shots to really mask the fact that he was drilling a hole not too far from my jaw bone, yanking tooth from my head. The entire procedure, start to finish, was a little over an hour. And with the help of an Ipod that was blasting Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue", it was almost enjoyable!

Sarah drove me in the morning and when I met her out in the waiting room, I saw that she bought me a heart shaped balloon tied to a part pack of chocolate pudding!! It was a great way to meet the world after having my mouth assaulted with various tools, drugs, and maneuvers. She drove me home and made me a nice bed on our couch, caring for me and helping me be as comfortable as possible. Soon, her mom was there as well. When Sarah's mom arrived at our place, Sarah ran out to grab my prescriptions (a pain killer and an antibiotic). It was only about two hours until the Novocain wore off and let me assure all of you: when it did, I was in more pain than I have ever felt in my life. Now, I guess when I think about that means I've been pretty lucky in my life. Whatever, call me a baby, but I was in more pain yesterday than I can ever remember.

About an hour after Sarah's mom arrived, my mom and her friend Judy came down from Maine. It was so great to have four women who I love caring for me in my time of pain and anguish!! I rested for another couple of hours, took a pain killer, then got in the car for the three hour drive to Maine. I know many of you are reading this thinking I was a fool to get in that car for the ride home, and yes I am a little less wise (pun intended), but being Easter weekend, it just felt right to go home. I slept for most of the ride and when I got home I had my dad, sister, and my mum here to take care of me.

So, the day went according to plan. I most definitely underestimated the amount of pain I would be in after the procedure, but I survived with the help of Sarah and her mom taking care of me right after the appointment, my mom and Judy taking me home, and my dad and sister providing help once I arrived in Maine. Thanks to all who helped!!!

Peace.