The Root Canal

I started my morning with a root canal. Not my favorite way to start the day, but at least I got plenty of laughing gas. I was a bit apprehensive about the nitrous after hearing a friend tell me that he made some highly inappropriate comments to the technician assisting with his procedure. I bet they are still telling that story at the office Christmas party every year! But my fear of what was coming won out over my fear of saying something inappropriate. So it was on with the mask! To infinity, and beyond!
Since I also started my day with a migraine, I have to say that when the Relpax and the nitrous kicked in at the same time I was feeling pretty good! Lying there all warm and cozy, feeling as if my arms and legs were about to float off of the chair, I forgot for a moment that I was there to have someone drill a hole in my tooth, pull out the vessels in the middle, and drain an abscess under the root. Yep, it was just as pleasant as it sounds, although I have to say that the anesthesia was great. The only part that really sucked was the fact that I couldn't actually fall asleep in the chair while he worked on my tooth. Oh, and the part where he pulled off the mask and sat me up to x-ray my tooth and admire his work. That part definitely interrupted my swerve.
I am happy to report that I survived the procedure, and at least for the moment I get to keep my tooth. I spent a lot of time reading about the root canal procedure and the long term complications that have been associated with them, but it's just hard to say, "Go ahead and pull" one of my permanent teeth! And yes, I thought about that guy in "The Hangover" a lot! So for the time being, my teeth are all my own. Guess I wasn't as lucky as I thought several years ago when that horse fell with me and stepped on my face. What I thought was just a fat lip also included a damaged tooth!
I found it fairly amusing that when I asked how long it would be before I could eat, the nurse replied with, "Any time you're ready, just don't forget that your lips are numb." Gee, really? How could I possibly forget that one side of my mouth was drooping? I'm constantly touching my face to see if there is drool running down my chin! Seeing as how I'm not quite ready for the nursing home, this is not a normal state of affairs for me. Anyway, I have lots to write about later, after I sober up. Or maybe I should do it before. Might make for some interesting reading!