Gratitude Friday

This week I am thankful for TYLENOL!  Well, acetaminophen, actually, since I don't actually have the name brand in stock.  But Tylenol fits my "T" theme for the year (more about that in another post).

Yes, this week, I've consumed my share of acetaminophen and then some.  Courtesy of my tooth, or perhaps teeth.  Back in September, I wrote about losing half of a tooth, and getting it "rebuilt".  There is more to the story.  The filling that was put in in September actually fell out about 4 weeks later -- Just before Thanksgiving weekend.  It cracked off on a Saturday evening, but with great care I was able to keep it in place over Sunday, and called Monday morning first thing for an appointment.  (It was a nice surprise to learn that my dentist's office opens at 8:00 AM!)  They had an opening that afternoon, so I spent another hour in the dentist chair, getting the filling put back.  I was advised then to consider a dental crown, since it was such a large filling.

 

Fast-forward to last Thursday, when I went to the dentist for the preparation work for the dental crown that I did decide to get.  Another hour in the dental chair, and the tooth was shaped up nicely for a crown, moulds taken, a temporary crown in place, and an appointment scheduled for 2 weeks hence, when the permanent crown would be ready.  Thursday evening and Friday I had some pain/discomfort, but what else can you expect after an hour in the dentist's chair?  Saturday and Sunday things were pretty much back to normal, until Sunday evening, when my tooth/teeth really started to hurt.  Hurt to the point that I could not sleep.  Pain-killers to the rescue, and I slept.  Monday morning, thankful again that my dentist office opens at 8:00, I called to inquire whether this kind of resurrgence of pain was to be expected.  Seems it wasn't, as I was summoned back to the dentist chair, where he adjusted the temporary crown, scraped off some excess cement, and sent me home with advice to rinse with warm salt water, and take Advil.  Tuesday morning, (about 4 or 5 pain-killer pills later), things were worse rather than better, so I called the dentist again.  This was shortly after 8AM, and they asked if I could make it in for 9:00.  Since I don't work on Tuesday's, I was about 30 minutes away, rather than 5 minutes.  I wasn't ready to leave at that point, so we agreed on 9:15 and I scurried around, and raced out the door, jumped into my car, remembered I had no gas, but decided I could make it to W.  Traffic wasn't good that morning; I realized I would be late, so I reached into my purse for my cell phone to call the dentist...and... realized my wallet was on the desk at home.   Mildly annoyed with myself, as that kaboshed the plans I had to go to a mall near work after the visit to the dentist, the annoyance quickly turned to a moment of panic when I re-observed the gas gauge - there was no way on earth I could get home again without buying gas!  Thankfully, I quickly realized I could just stop in at work, and there would be multiple kind people there who would be able and willing to lend me 20 bucks.

At the dentist, x-rays were taken, which did not show any infection, although that didn't mean there wasn't an infection.  Since there clearly was a problem, I was given a prescription for antibiotics, and so off I went.

I went to work, where everyone was a little surprised to see me on a Tuesday, shared my predicament and had several offers of $20 - I knew I could count on my co-workers!  To the gas station, drugstore (to drop off prescription), home (to pick up wallet), bank (to get $20 to repay Chris),  drugstore (to pick up prescription) and home I went.

Since Tuesday, I've been on the antibiotics, and still plenty of acetaminophen.  Yesterday I could definitely feel some improvement, and today again more improvement.  I called the dentist again this morning to make sure the slow recovery was within the range of normal, and was assured it was.  Noticing further recovery today was comforting too!

But for Monday - Thursday of this week, I was taking acetaminophen pretty much around the clock...even through the night as I would wake up in severe pain.  Thankfully, everytime I took a pill, they were effective.  Sometimes faster than others, but always effective, and elminated the pain.  Until about 4 hours later, that is!  Today, I've still been taking some pills, but I've needed them less frequently.  So hopefully, in another day or few, everything will be all better!  Just in time for me to get my permanent crown on Thursday, I suppose! :)