OT - What a (semi) waste of a day and emergency PTO day!

Well today was NOT what we had anticipated.  We are both a little annoyed at the whole process, but at the same time, appreciate the time this dentist took with BOTH of us

Apparantly the scheduled appointment today was with a general dentist who was going to do the extraction based on the "preliminary x rays" (which should have been comprehensive yesterday).  It was NOT with the actual oral surgeon like Brian had been led to believe.

The dentist today (who was very nice and caring) took one look at his mouth and said "This is NOT the way it should be done and you definately need more x rays" so then she let me in the back and talked to me about everything, especially considering Brian had been instructed to take an anti anxiety medication prior to todays visit and was quite "high".

Absolutely no physical work was done today.  For as nervous as Brian was, he is very disappointed, as am I, on that outcome.  However, the dentist explained that this could be a difficult procedure, it is a wisdom tooth that could very easily break off during the extraction.  She also explained that the x ray tech was correct yesterday, and he has an impacted wisdom tooth, which needs to come out.  His other two wisdom teeth also have cavities and she feels (and I agree) that they should just be removed as opposed to playing around with everything.

However, in order for this to be done he needs a consult with the actual oral surgeon.  Brian and I both brought up the idea that we do not want him on narcotic pain medication for long and the other doctor made it sound like this was an emergency and needed to come out.  She explained (and actually multiple doctors at LVH told me the same thing) that as long as he is on antibiotics his pain will diminish as it will temporarily get rid of the bacteria, thus decreasing the inflammation and pain.  And in all honesty, his pain has been a bit better each day.  And she says that it will continue to get better as this is only the 2nd full day on antibiotics and it generally takes 3-4 days to really help.

He also has a lot of other cavities that need to be taken care of.

So....plan of attack:

Next Wednesday:  Consult w/ oral surgeon  This will determine what they can do, and will probably end up w/ an appointment for IV anesthesia and all four wisdom teeth being done at the same time.

 Tues Aug 4th:  Four fillings in front; deep cleaning of mouth

I am annoyed mostly w/ myself for not speaking up yesterday and insisting I talk with the dentist myself.  Especially considering Brian was medicated w/ percocet for pain at the time of the appointment, legally he is not supposed to make any medical decisions what so ever due to altered thinking from pain meds.  I told the doctor today that the other doctor wouldn't let me in the room nor would he speak to me and she seemd very surprised by that.  Oh, and to top it off, the dentist Brian saw yesterday was the OWNER of this dental office. Although I doubt it will do any good, after this is all said and done, he will be getting a letter A) praising the doctor we saw today and B) expressing our explicit dissatisfaction with how the first appointment was handled.

 And Brian's "upset" ("not angry") only because he went in with so many expectations and had "psyched himself up" for today only to be let down in a manner of speaking.

 Just needed to vent.  I can't let Brian see how upset I am right now because I'm trying to keep "pessimistic podeszwa" as I call him as upbeat as I can.

Pam

I know you haven't slept much  but can you cancel your emergency PTO and just go in?

*hugs* much more elaborate response via e-mail...

I wouldn't cancel the pto just based on lack of sleep alone.  32 hours awake was pushing it as it was last night....and then only sleeping about 3 hours today, I wouldn't risk my patients lives or my license.   I did contemplate it, though.

smart move! I perscribe, dinner, pie, maybe a hot bath and BED! And call me in teh morinng! lol

Yes Dr. Liz!

I did some food shopping - Brian is on a modified "5 day pouch test" due to the soft food issue.  He's actually sticking to basically liquids with some mashed taters, scrambled eggs, and french toast thrown in for kicks.

So...I spent the night doing things like making mashed taters, big batches of pudding, bought some pre made EAS Lite protein shakes that we BOTH like...I kind of felt like I was at 3 weeks post op, LOL

I'm gonna try to support him in this and do a bunch of the same foods (minus the french toast as often as he will have it and watching the tater thing) to help him.  I just can't do a full pouch test right now...my big girl panties are gonna be pulled up as high as they can go with the whole Beck thing.

Thanks again, Liz, we both really appreciate everything you've done and of course all the venting I've done to you lately.

Pam

that is a hard diet but you guys can do it! I was thinking of doing something similar myself. A few pounds have crept on since the miscarriage and I am not liking it.

I agree- I don't think that I can manage 5DPT and the Beck Group at once!

No problem - that's what friends are for! (God knows you've listened to me whine and cry plenty in the last month!)

How's he feeling this morning?

Sounds like you guys had a rough day but he definitely needs an oral surgeon to get those wisdom teeth out - all 4 of mine were impacted and I went into the hospital as an outpatient and had it done. Your major medical, not dental, should cover that.

Hope he's feeling better soon and can get those teeth out. Bummer!!