Thanks for your well wishes on Thursday's post.
I had "nervous stomach" all day long on Friday in anticipation of the Friday afternoon appointment. The good thing about this is that it brought home to me how long it's been since I've had that persistent clenching of the guts, which was a regular feature of my daily life not that long ago. So that's the upside of all of this anxiety.
And, sadly, that anxiety is not yet over. I don't really know if the Valium helped; I was still having the elevated heartrate and never got the sense of composure and ease that is apparently supposed to come with the drug; D. encouraged me to take a second one, since it's only a .5 milligram dose, and maybe I'll do that next time. Because, regrettably, there will be a next time. And a time after that. After I got all numbed up and a little bit more scraped at, the gum specialist came in, poked around a little bit while muttering "Oh dear. Hmmm. That's too bad," and then pronounced that I needed minor gum surgery, which he didn't have time to do today, and then I'd have to let that heal before the crown (which is actually not a crown at all but a "partial overlay") goes on. So I got another temporary crown put on -- this one is supposed to be the mother of all temporary crowns in an attempt to keep my freakishly strong gums at bay -- and I have to go back in two weeks for the surgery. It's only minor surgery -- "a little bit of cutting," he said, "and three or four stitches" -- and surprisingly I'm not worried about it because now all of the dentists seem to know what's going on and they've worked out how to proceed. So maybe I'll only need the one Valium after all, because I think it was mostly the sense that my mouth was an unsolvable mystery that was making me anxious.
It's too bad that I didn't feel well all day yesterday in anticipation of that appointment, because it was the last day of class, and my students were, as always, adorable. Fridays are always good days because I meet only with my junior classes, which are my favorites, and in this case all the students were totally relaxed because instead of a final exam they have a major writing portfolio which they've already turned in (and which I have barely started to grade). So we had a party in each class. And my last class of the day, the group that has been my favorite since the beginning, outdid themselves.
The highlight was the cake that a student decorated to say "Yay English Class!" -- have you ever seen anything more adorable? And then they co-opted a student from the hall to take a class picture, including me, with someone holding the cake and everyone else holding three fingers sideways to represent "E for English." Cutest thing ever.
So although the year is ending in a hectic fashion, what with moving and the ongoing dental drama, the school year itself is coming to a very satisfying close. I'm doing a lot of reflecting about the year (some of which will be future blog posts), and I'm really pleased with how my first year has gone. Yay!
I had "nervous stomach" all day long on Friday in anticipation of the Friday afternoon appointment. The good thing about this is that it brought home to me how long it's been since I've had that persistent clenching of the guts, which was a regular feature of my daily life not that long ago. So that's the upside of all of this anxiety.
And, sadly, that anxiety is not yet over. I don't really know if the Valium helped; I was still having the elevated heartrate and never got the sense of composure and ease that is apparently supposed to come with the drug; D. encouraged me to take a second one, since it's only a .5 milligram dose, and maybe I'll do that next time. Because, regrettably, there will be a next time. And a time after that. After I got all numbed up and a little bit more scraped at, the gum specialist came in, poked around a little bit while muttering "Oh dear. Hmmm. That's too bad," and then pronounced that I needed minor gum surgery, which he didn't have time to do today, and then I'd have to let that heal before the crown (which is actually not a crown at all but a "partial overlay") goes on. So I got another temporary crown put on -- this one is supposed to be the mother of all temporary crowns in an attempt to keep my freakishly strong gums at bay -- and I have to go back in two weeks for the surgery. It's only minor surgery -- "a little bit of cutting," he said, "and three or four stitches" -- and surprisingly I'm not worried about it because now all of the dentists seem to know what's going on and they've worked out how to proceed. So maybe I'll only need the one Valium after all, because I think it was mostly the sense that my mouth was an unsolvable mystery that was making me anxious.
So although the year is ending in a hectic fashion, what with moving and the ongoing dental drama, the school year itself is coming to a very satisfying close. I'm doing a lot of reflecting about the year (some of which will be future blog posts), and I'm really pleased with how my first year has gone. Yay!
Squee! that is the cutest thing ever. Are those little purple frosting hearts? Or jellybeans? It's hard to tell.
I'm sorry that your dental drama is not yet over, but it does sound as though things are under control and that you can be confident it will all work out well!
Posted by: meansomething | May 31, 2008 at 05:07 PM
The cake is darling! I'm really glad that the new job is working out so well. And that you're feeling better about the scary dental drama--it'll all be over and okay soon.
Posted by: heu mihi | May 31, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Yay for English class cake!
I hope the dentist drama is over soon.
Posted by: Psych Post Doc | May 31, 2008 at 07:06 PM
I'm sorry that the dental drama isn't over. I've had oral surgery (gum work and doing a bit of something on the bone). The one thing that I learned is that if you need more painkillers during recovery, ask. I got enough for two or three days and I really need one or two days more than that to deal with the discomfort.
Your process will likely be a lot easier (not involving the bone) but just keep that in mind because when I complained, three months later at my next check-up, the dentist said that a phone call would've gotten me more of the good stuff.
Posted by: Janice | May 31, 2008 at 09:28 PM
That cake is killer-cute!! Oh my god!
I wish you such good luck with the next dental appointments. You sound beautifully zen about it, though.
Posted by: hilaire | May 31, 2008 at 10:24 PM
what a GREAT cake! how cool is that?! how cool are your kids?! at least there was *something* to balance out the terror of the week. hang in there.
Posted by: concretegodmother | June 01, 2008 at 02:07 AM
A dental tip for what it is worth: If you are still having an elevated HR you can ask for novocaine with no epinephrine in it, since epi increases heart rate and feelings of anxiety. I've had no epi for years (ever since novocaine for a non-dental procedure made me feel like I was going to jump out of my skin if you know what I mean). It takes a little more novocaine but it has still been worth it for me. It might be worth asking your dentist.
I hope the dental drama is resolved quickly!
Posted by: Rev Dr Mom | June 01, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Yay English teacher! Don't you just love, love, love kids? And hey, don't I know you? Just found you again through concretegodmother. Prayers for the gums and the nerves. Ow!
Posted by: Marie | June 01, 2008 at 07:09 PM