Thursday, December 17, 2009

More on E & the Dentist

I've had a chance to process everything that we were told yesterday, and sleep, and while I woke up with my head feeling worse than yesterday (a feat that I did not believe was possible!) I'm now several cups of coffee and a handful of Advil in, and feeling a bit more functional.

Yesterday was pretty frustrating for me, because all I could think about was how badly I wanted the offending tooth out of my baby's head. Like a splinter, all I could think was "It's in there, it's causing pain, it must come out." I'm a mom. It's my job to fix the problems, right?

Here's the problem - if they pull the tooth while the infection is still present, it could actually make things worse. Because it opens up the surrounding tissue, it can cause the infection to spread pretty quickly. (My father was nearly killed by an infection that settled in and around his heart, stemming from a pretty minor dental thing, in fact.)

On top of that, the molar that will eventually fill the spot where the offending tooth currently sits likely won't come in for 3 or 4 more years. As a result, they need to put a spacer in to ensure that the rest of his teeth don't shift and create more issues down the road. There are two ways they can do that, but the best way is to place bands around the teeth on either side of the opening and run the spacer between the two. Our problem right this moment is that the tooth behind the bad one hasn't erupted.. Yet. We can see it on the X-Rays, and it's REALLY close. It's partner on the other side of his mouth is visible now. So, we're hoping that the tooth comes up soon, because the other option involves embedding things into the gum line against that second tooth to form the framework. I'd like to not have to do that if it can be avoided, again to reduce the likelihood of spread or secondary infection.

So, was I irritated as all crap to see our second dentist in two days and hear that my poor son has to wait a month to actually pull the tooth? Yep. No doubt. Did it help that I was already frustrated because:

  1. Wal-Mart took forever filling his antibiotic prescription Tuesday, and flat lied to me about how long it would take? Twice?
  2. I had to take all three kids to the first dentist visit, and try to convince two of them to not kill each other in public in the waiting room after we'd been sitting there nearly an hour?
  3. The proposed date for his extraction was January 25th, which just happens to be on of the two seriously busiest days of the year for me at work, and is guaranteed to be a MINIMUM 14 hour day?
  4. I had developed a tremendous migraine while waiting for the prescription on Tuesday that left me unable to see in my right eye, and is still hanging out with me today?
  5. That I had gotten to work yesterday hoping to knock out what should have been a pretty simple task, only to find that it was so screwed up that it was going to take several of us, a number of hours, and a series of emails to our corporate office?
No. None of the above was in the least bit helpful. Oh, and I still am not done Christmas shopping. Bah!

But, today, I am feeling a bit more rational. And while I still really just want to get the bad tooth out of E's poor little mouth, I know that we have to make sure we lick the infection first. I certainly don't want that spreading, so we'll just keep poking the "Pink Stuff" in him, and see how things go.

And pray that they get a cancellation, and I can take him in sooner. Just not to soon, I guess.


6 comments:

  1. My prayers are with you, Megan! I imagine with your dad, that infection is weighing pretty heavily on your mind! I mean it - you will be in my prayers in a big way today!

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  2. So sorry about the tooth problems and the migraine!! I've had migraines for years, I know how NOT fun they can be... hang in there!

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  3. Aw man, this bites (no pun intended) on so many levels.

    I have to ask, though, why is Jan. 25th such a busy day for you? My dad's in a similar industry, I've never heard that date tossed around!

    ~Elizabeth
    http://confessionsfromaworkingmom.blogspot.com

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  4. Oh no this just stinks. Sorry you had such an awful day on top of it. You need a glass of wine!

    I hear ya on the infection spreading, I have to take meds everytime I go to the dentist because of a heart issue and they make me wanna puke. Yea so its a fun time!

    I hope the infection gets cleared up soon so you can take an appointment if one should arise.

    How is his pain?

    How is yours?

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  5. {{HUGS}} Man you have had a really rough few days. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you about getting him in sooner and I hope you both feel better.

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  6. Sorry you and your son are having a tough time right now. Just a thought, could you get in sooner with another dentist? I know how hard it is to watch your child be in pain.

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