Yesterday, I had a much-needed day off from work. It was Staff Appreciation Day, a day to recognize and appreciate all the hard work and dedication our staff put forth during the hecticness and chaos leading up to and throughout the High Holiday season, which finally ended Sunday evening.
I spent a good portion of the day resting, until I had yet another dental appointment to attend in the late afternoon.
This appointment was a follow-up to the one I had two weeks ago, when I had three root canals done. Yesterday, my dentist needed to put in the permanent fillers. Once that was completed, we sat in his office to debrief about any concerns I was having (there were plenty) and to go over the notes he had received from the Endodontist who performed the root canals.
He told me that I am still nowhere near out of the woods with the root canals.
Needless to say, that didn’t make me feel any better!
He also told me that the Endodontist wants to keep a close eye on my “canine” teeth, the only teeth on my upper row that I thought were safe. So, of course, that didn’t make me feel any better either!
Then came another referral. My dentist is now sending me to yet another specialist, a Prosthodontist, who specializes in the restoration and replacement of missing or damaged teeth.
I never knew there were so many different kinds of dental specialists out there!
I’m frustrated and feeling pretty depleted today. I’m grateful, though, to have such a loving and caring team looking out for me and wanting to make sure I’m getting the best care possible. I truly appreciate that.
It’s just…a lot.
Every appointment seems to come with more next steps, more things to monitor, more appointments, and, of course, more money. And we haven’t even begun talking about the two teeth that didn’t make it at all.
But, for being such a good patient yesterday, I got to pick a special prize from their toy box, the one reserved for all their good little boys and girls after they finish their appointments. I may be a grown-up, but apparently I still get a prize for being brave.
I plan to bring my new squishy ball with me to all my appointments from now on. Hopefully, it will help relieve at least a little bit of the stress that comes with sitting in that dental chair.
One appointment at a time.
