No Motivation Monday this week and my weekly wrap-up of HBBC might wait until next week because I didn't do much last week, workout-wise. Instead of writing up a Motivation Monday post, I spent Sunday worrying about a bit of bone or tooth that broke through my gum in the spot where a wisdom tooth was removed four years ago. I spent Monday worrying about my dentist appointment for that evening. I don't like going to the dentist even under the best circumstances in the United States. I was very nervous about going to a dentist in India even though the clinic I was going to came with lots of great recommendations from friends and colleagues.
You know how George Costanza wants the doctor to give him a "Get out of here!" but instead he has to get more tests done? I was hoping for "Well, it's a little weird, but it's a chip leftover from your wisdom tooth extraction four years ago. We can get this out, no problem." Instead of my "Get out of here!" though, I got, "Hmmm, we can definitely see something wrong but the x-rays are inconclusive and the gum looks infected. Get a CT scan of your head, a complete blood panel, and take antibiotics for a few days and we'll revisit this." I say "we" because at one point there were four people trying to stick things in my mouth at the same time. They kept telling me to open wider so they could stick more stuff in there and I just couldn't do it. There was a lot of talking in Telagu that I didn't understand, which made the experience even more terrifying. What could they be talking about? It's weird knowing people are talking about you and not know what they are saying, especially in a medical situation where as that patient, I should be in on the conversation.
I got my blood work done today and I'm waiting for the dentist to send me the antibiotics prescription (he wanted to consult with my regular doctor first). Tomorrow I'm getting my CT scan. The gum has healed up over whatever it was that was sticking out but it's still quite tender and painful. I'm still on Tylenol for the pain and I'm eating foods that are not too crunchy, not too sweet, and not too spicy because anything else is too uncomfortable.
I was pretty pleased with the cleanliness of the dental office, so that's something.
You know how George Costanza wants the doctor to give him a "Get out of here!" but instead he has to get more tests done? I was hoping for "Well, it's a little weird, but it's a chip leftover from your wisdom tooth extraction four years ago. We can get this out, no problem." Instead of my "Get out of here!" though, I got, "Hmmm, we can definitely see something wrong but the x-rays are inconclusive and the gum looks infected. Get a CT scan of your head, a complete blood panel, and take antibiotics for a few days and we'll revisit this." I say "we" because at one point there were four people trying to stick things in my mouth at the same time. They kept telling me to open wider so they could stick more stuff in there and I just couldn't do it. There was a lot of talking in Telagu that I didn't understand, which made the experience even more terrifying. What could they be talking about? It's weird knowing people are talking about you and not know what they are saying, especially in a medical situation where as that patient, I should be in on the conversation.
I got my blood work done today and I'm waiting for the dentist to send me the antibiotics prescription (he wanted to consult with my regular doctor first). Tomorrow I'm getting my CT scan. The gum has healed up over whatever it was that was sticking out but it's still quite tender and painful. I'm still on Tylenol for the pain and I'm eating foods that are not too crunchy, not too sweet, and not too spicy because anything else is too uncomfortable.
I was pretty pleased with the cleanliness of the dental office, so that's something.
5 comments:
So sorry to hear. If it comes to it, go for the evac. I did a dent-evac from Moscow to London for my wisdom teeth. Good luck!
http://ericajgreen.wordpress.com/2011/02/05/dental-evac/
Thanks Erica! I would definitely do the dent-evac if I can. I would love a few days in Singapore. :)
Yikes! The timing of your post is kind of funny. We just cancelled our dental insurance, and figure we'll pay out of pocket in India if need be. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.
I've been sick overseas, too, and it can be frightening. I'm so glad you were able to get good care,and hope it heals well.
Ouch, hope everything turns out ok!
Post a Comment