I was in some serious pain today. Last week, I had two root canals re-done at the OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) dental school. The great thing about the school, is that they also do research and have world renowned endodontists as professors. Therefore, my “dentist-in-training” did an excellent job - even better than previous endodontists I’ve had. Dr. Bui was very diligent in trying to extract the tip of a metal tool stuck in the canal of my root (from a previous botched root canal). After several failed attempts, and “the super glue” method, I had all but given up hope of it coming out. Finally, as we approached the third hour(!), he was able to pull out a 13 mm thin piece of metal. He, I, and his collegues cheered when it finally came out.
The misperception is that a root canal hurts. Actually, the process doesn’t hurt at all because you’re completely numbed up with novocaine. It’s easy breezy. The painful part is recovering from the trauma to the tooth. Last week after the appointments, I felt no pain. Today, the pain hit. And OH MY GOD, did it hurt! I took 5 Advils and I could still feel the throbbing pain all the way to my scalp and my eyeballs was even sore. I could barely think straight. If you’ve ever had bad tooth pain, you know it’s one of the most excruciating things ever. At one point, I was running on 10%. The other 90% was focused on how much pain I was in. At the time, I was out in Portland and couldn’t wait to get home and take a Vicodin. It eased it slightly, but not very much. Five hours later, after another Vicodin and more Advil, the pain has subsided to a “3″ out of 10. That’s why I’m able to type this. Before, it was 8.5. With my first root canal, it was a “10.” Now THAT was painful. I would lay awake in the dark, not able to sleep because it hurt so much. I remember crying in the middle of the night from the agony, and thinking that if I had to live with this for a long period of time, I’d rather kill myself. I sympathized with people who did. Thank god for painkillers. Now, I just have to wait until my teeth heal.
It’s Christmas Eve (Christmas Day in Korea). Tomorrow I’m hanging out with my family. The day after Christmas, I pack. I’m flying out December 27th for Seoul. I’ll be ringing in the new year and my birthday (Dec. 31st) in Korea. Then I’ll be teaching at a children’s winter camp in January. Korea, here I come!
December 25th, 2006 at December 25, 2006 - 6:06 pm
Hope you had a good holiday, Lao, in spite of the pain.
My mom’s a dental assistant, so she’s obsessed with getting my teeth checked out. My teeth have become a bit sensitive since Korea, so I hope everything’s okay with my set.
Enjoy your time in Korea!
December 25th, 2006 at December 25, 2006 - 9:18 pm
Thanks a lot Pia!
I emailed my dentist, afraid that I was going to run out of pills an be in pain on my 12 hour flight to Korea. He’ll call in an order for me tomorrow, so I should be all set.
December 26th, 2006 at December 26, 2006 - 6:41 pm
Hope you have no more pain. So far I haven’t experience anything like that,yet. My last visit to the dentist was embarassing! She cleaned my teeth for 2 1/2 hours! I have another appointment with her, I don’t like it but have been living in India you don’t get a good and clean dental clinic here so not complaining.
Anyway, in your older post, you mentioned putting oatmeal in your shakes. Do you mind giving me the recipe as I’m trying to use it up before I head off to the States. Thanks in advance! Have a great birthday and New Year.
December 27th, 2006 at December 27, 2006 - 1:10 am
The shake wasn’t so much of a fixed recipe, but things I threw together. First, I had a small blender. The kind that has a container for individual sized portions, and the container turns into the cup you drink out of. The following things varies as to how thick or watery you want your shake:
4-6 ice cubes
milk filling half the container
1 cup of yogurt
3-4 whole, frozen strawberries
half or a whole banana
2-3 full tablespoons of raw oatmeal
(sometimes a scoop of protein)
BLEND
After a couple tries, you’ll get an idea of how to get the consistency you like. The oatmeal might be weird at first, but it makes the shake thick and hearty, like a small meal.
For 3 or 4 months, I had 1-2 shakes a day, and never got bored with it. I think the frozen strawberries made the difference.
December 30th, 2006 at December 30, 2006 - 6:28 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Have fun at camp!
December 30th, 2006 at December 30, 2006 - 6:43 pm
Best wishes for your B’day! I just had mine yesterday, with the goats and cows in the background:)
December 30th, 2006 at December 30, 2006 - 9:06 pm
happy birthday…try not to get crushed against storefronts or seared by roman candles this year…and happy new year!
and btw i found christa and she’s fine.
January 22nd, 2007 at January 22, 2007 - 11:09 am
I have already found your site to be very helpful. It is especially nice for newcomers as well as people that have been here for a while. I am sure I will come and check it often.
http://loyno.edu/~elameire/de/spiel-3.html |