My stress relieving ramblings:
So as Dan was on his way out the door this morning I got up to relieve my bladder. (Seriously, some recent nights I'm not sure why I bother leaving the bathroom.)
Anyway... as I get up I notice a painful stitch in my side under my ribs. The kind that stabs a bit when you twist or take a deep breath. I've had these before and wasn't too concerned, I figured I'd lay down for a bit and it would pass quickly.
No such luck, it's gotten gradually better throughout the day, but I've had to take shallow breaths, and be careful all day, pretty annoying.
Toby had a tooth extracted about a month ago, and today was his follow up appointment to insert a spacer and look at a few other teeth. Dan took him last time and assured me that the pediatric dentist was awesome, and Toby did great.
So favoring my left side and taking shallow breaths I packed up Toby and Sadie and headed to the Dentist. The office was awesome, they specialize in difficult kids and the place was painted super cute and fun. They had toys and books and each room has movies and video games on the ceiling to help distract the patients. After reviewing and signing their disclosure forms detailing the various level of restraints, and sedation options, it was our turn.
Toby had been really excited for his appointment and to get some things fixed, but once there it was obvious that he was getting really scared. They settled him in the chair and got him into playing a video game, and got some gas started. Things seemed to be going great. He was a little scared and tense when the doctor numbed him, a few tears but over all was doing okay.
We talked, and the Dentist explained that in addition to the spacer that he really needed 3 more molars extracted, and that while he was there and all numb he just wanted to get them all out.
I agreed, and he doubled the numbing shots and upped the gas.
Toby's lips were super dry... and when they started the serious work his lip split, and started bleeding. The pain freaked Toby out and it was all downhill from there. The assistant was trying to help moisten his lips and keep him still. I was holding my side with one hand and Toby's hand with the other, trying to calm him down. The Dentist just dug in as quick as he could. As he crunched and pried teeth, Toby was crying, pleading with me, begging them to stop, and eventually just screaming. Yes, screaming like he was dying! Molars were cracking and coming out, blood was running out and Sadie got pretty scared at this point and wrapped herself around my leg and started crying.
Yes, a bit traumatic for us all. I can only imagine the poor parents in nearby rooms trying to convince kids that it wasn't going to be that bad, then they hear my son Screaming.
The Dentist, apologized... told me that it really wasn't as bad as everything was looking, and dashed out so we could calm Toby and the assistant could stop the bleeding.
As I made the next appointment for 3 new spacers, and listened to care instructions, Toby was bawling, pulling on me and begging to leave. He and Sadie both got a toy, and we headed home.
After Toby laid down for a bit and the gas wore off, he calmed down, and seemed to forget the worst of it.
The spacer leaves a metal wire across one side of his back teeth and he hates it. It's really bothering him so far, but hopefully he will adjust quickly.
When Dan got home we headed to parent teacher conferences. The good news is that Toby is doing really good this year, and is making awesome strides in closing the gaps he started this school year with.
The kids are now out of school until Tuesday, hopefully this will help Toby heal.
Tomorrow we have our first baby doctor appointment, and I'm hoping my side has stopped hurting by then.
In the big picture, the trauma of today was minor.
But the mom in me will take some time to push the sounds and images out of my head. And to forget the huge urge to scoop up my scared crying kids and run.
Next time I think Dan will be taking Toby to the dentist again.
I'm going to sleep!
Pam
Comments
I get those pains too, I always worry about them being another blood clot in my lungs, because that is kind of what it felt like when I had one...don't want to scare you, but if it persists you may want to ask the doc.
I hope today is better for you.
I've had pains like that before too....weird. I hope you are okay.