Tuesday, May 8, 2012

On Wisdom...

...teeth that is.  I am getting my four wisdom teeth taken out Thursday and ...

Public Service Announcement:  fretting, worrying, general freaking out about it starts...

...about now.

Please don't tell me any horror stories about it.

I have been trying to avoid all possible stories about it.  I WILL NOT and HAVE NOT looked it up on the Internets.  (What I don't know, makes my nerves calmer.)

My surgeon already said that since I am older, it will take longer to bounce back.  Thanks, doc! Yes, I know I should have had this done 20 (!!!!!) years ago.

There are IVs involved.  I do not "do" IVs. The thought makes my arms ache.  (I haz IV/doctor/hospital issues).

Also, "do you bruise easy?  There can be extensive bruising."  Yes, I do.  "And swelling." Great.  I am going to look like a chipmunk who went 3 round with Mike Tyson.

My unhelpful dad said "It's terrible. Be prepared to be on the couch.  I was on the couch forever. It was miserable." Thank you Dad.  I love you.

One of my regular customers at Starbucks said "You know there's a nerve that runs along your jaw. You could lose all feeling in your face." OMG! WHAT????!!!?

Good thing "The Walking Dead" TV show is filming Season 3 in the Atlanta area because I'll be an excellent candidate for a drugged-out, shuffling, drooling, bruised face, moaning, chipmunk-cheeked ZOMBIE!!









14 comments:

Michele said...

I'll bet you will be off the couch faster than you think :-) At least it will be done and over with soon! I know what you mean about reading about medical issues on the Internet.......never a good idea in my opinion. Avoiding the subject shows your wisdom......

Becky said...

My thoughts and experience:
1. Enjoy the time on the sofa with the cats, your laptop and books
2. Don't even try make-up. It will not help
3. Get lots of soft foods - hummus, soup, ice cream, bananas
4. Pain meds are a good thing
5. Don't use rotary cutters
I'm older than you and survived having teeth removed, etc........

Take care!

Monica said...

I had my upper wisdom teeth removed about four years ago and it really wasn't bad at all...totally not what I expected.

*crossing my fingers for a speedy recovery*

Stitched With Prayer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
*karendianne. said...

No way man. You kidding? You'll be great with this. Look! Any woman that can dig deep and handle all that you've handled can simple just dang grab this by the tail and whip it. Whip it good! it's not that I don't have sympathy and compassion on this, friend. I do. We can go there. But you said... No. So whip it. Put on your Devo hat, gf.

Stitched With Prayer said...

Sorry, my last comment was a jumble, I had my fingers on the wrong keys in some places and hit post when I meant to hit preview...a 'senior moment' for sure. Sweet Gretchen, both my daughters and both of the grandsons we raised all had theirs out, all four at once, without sedation, just numbed up (I'm not that brave, LOL) BUT, none of them had a single problem with the exception of my oldest daughter and she was a little swollen and sore. The others, well, two of them went back to work the next day, over much protest from me. Granted they were a little younger, but I'm certain you'll be back to sewing, posting, and all manner of things very quickly. Becky gives you some great advice too. She says it all. Pamper yourself and let your furry babes pamper you too. I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Big, Big hugs coming to you...

Barbara said...

Get some straws and milkshake fixings in case you swell up too much to get a spoon in your mouth.

Cathi said...

I hope the whole thing goes much smoother than you're anticipating -- and, on that note, be ready to drink lots of smoothies. Enjoy the recuperation time when I'm sure you'll have lots of kitty love helping you heal quick, quick, quick!

sewprimitive karen said...

Gosh, Gretchen. It didn't bother me at all to have wisdom teeth pulled. My face still exhibits expression and everything. Granted that was a long time ago but things were also more primitive then. It didn't bother me one bit. Hope it goes the same for you.

Tammy said...

Not to worry. I had mine out all at the same time as an adult. It was a breeze. I did it on a Friday before the three day Memorial Day weekend. No IV. Just numbed me up. Sent me home with pain pills. I went on a family camping trip for the next three days; lounged at the campsite reading books, kept the pain pills going all three days. That's the key so that the pain doesn't get out of control. I was fine after that. Good luck to you; I'll be thinking of you. Remember, mind over matter.

Carol said...

Gretchen you'll do great...just do what the surgeon says and you'll be fine. Keep the ice packs on as long as they say and your swelling won't be bad...take good care...don't listen to horror stories...sending lots of good thoughts!

Waytogojb said...

I'll be thinking of you. Just don't act like a man and skip taking the pain meds. Stay ahead of the pain. Hope you enjoy some well deserved naps, you've had a tough year.

Julie

Unknown said...

I had all four of mine out three years ago, (older than you). It wasn't bad at all. I looked like a chipmunk for a few days the pain pills were wonderful. I had them out on a Friday was back at work on Monday.

Unknown said...

I had all four of mine out three years ago, (older than you). It wasn't bad at all. I looked like a chipmunk for a few days the pain pills were wonderful. I had them out on a Friday was back at work on Monday.