My mini vacation
September 12, 2007 – 7:00 am
Last week on Wednesday I had a root canal.
It was my first.
When I mentioned where I was going, people would say things like, “OOH, hang in there,” or “Oh boy I’m sorry about that” with a sympathetic glance and an unconscious shudder.
But the simple fact is that ever since I survived childbirth, nothing seems that bad any more. Not even a root canal. So you’re pushing that teeny-tiny metal probe into my tooth canal? PSHAW! You should see what I shoved through my *other* canal! You haven’t seen pain until you’ve seen PAIN like that, mister!
I brought along my iPod and when the procedure began I popped in my ear buds and closed my eyes.
The only hiccup was my almost panic attack when they “installed” the rubber dam and I realized that they would be leaving this suffocating device in my mouth for the duration.
Me: I can’t breath!
Me: YES YOU CAN!
Me: No I can’t! Can’t you see that I’m suffocating here! AYIEEEEEE!!!!
Me: Self, you’ve got to calm down.
Me: Help meeeeeeeeeeee… Can’t. Breath. Need. Help… (hyperventilating)
Me: CALM DOWN YOUNG LADY! This is all in your head!
Me: GOODBYE CRUEL WORLD!!!!!!
Me: Stop it! Right now! Relax! Stop panicking! Just listen to the pretty music.
Me: No. Oxygen. Left. In. Brain. Room. Fading… Can’t…
Me: YES YOU CAN! Sing with me… I love it when we’re cruisin’ together…
Me: (starts quietly humming along)
Me: That’s right!
Me: Hmm, I wonder what Gwyneth Paltrow is up to lately…
And just like that I was off to my happy place.
Once I made it there? I *almost* enjoyed my time away.
It was sort of like a mini-vacation.
To be sure that makes it a mini-vacation with an air and water hose standing in for margaritas, and a sheet of rubber across my mouth in place of a sassy swimsuit. And of course the grinding of the drill was decidedly LESS relaxing than the sound of crashing waves on a beach.
But if you ignore all that, there was the TIME BY MYSELF and the LYING AROUND WITH NOTHING TO DO BUT KEEP MY MOUTH OPEN. Which, after all, are activities I can get behind.
I’m not saying I want to have root canals on a daily basis…
But the experience makes me optimistic that MAYBE JUST MAYBE I’m getting a little tougher in my old age.
***
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By Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
ya know - I was thinking along the same lines with my recent trips to the dentist. Sure, it’s a pain (for me) to keep my mouth open, and they had to rebuild the tooth they are going to be doing the canal ON, but hey - I’m away from 3 kids for what? an hour? woohoo! LOL I will definitely bring the ipod next time, though - great idea :)
Oh, and I totally have that same reaction when they use that damned dam.
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By Gretchen on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
Hubby just had an emergency root canal last week. Not fun. I need to have one soon, but keep putting it off because I had such a horrid experience with the last one.
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By Annie on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
It’s no biggie is it? I’d still rather not have needed it but still, there are definitely worse things. Music always helps :)
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By dragonbec on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I can totally relate. Last year I went to get my legs waxed (not something I normally do). I was laying in a private room on a little bed with pretty music playing and I found it totally relaxing. Somehow I just tuned out the massive ripping noises and stinging feelings of having patches of hair pulled out!
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By Mrs. Schmitty on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I’ve never had a root canal, but something tells me that I wouldn’t find it vacation like. I don’t even like to go for cleanings!
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By hello insomnia on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I really just like the Novocaine.
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By A Whole Lot of Nothing on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
Did you get happy juice? I love happy juice. Happy juice. If only they had it at Publix.
Happy juice = Happy place
http://awholelotofnothing.net
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By Chris on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I’m a big arse baby when it comes to dental work.
BIG.TIME.
But I haven’t been since my Ipod..so maybe that will help ;-)
Glad it all went well!
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By Summer on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
How did you get inside my head? That’s exactly what I go through whenever they put that darn rubber dam in my mouth at the dentist.
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By Deb - Mom of 3 Girls on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
Ok now that’s sad when we parents have to go get dental work done to get a break! LOL Glad you enjoyed your ‘happy place’! :)
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By Smiling Mom on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
It’s official. You’re crazy. ;-) Root Canal=Vacation?!!
It was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had. Both times. Although I always tell the dentist that I need more medicine, and they NEVER believe me until I’m writhing in pain once the drill hits my nerves….
But I must say that bringing your iPod was genius!!
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By Brillig on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
Dude, I SO want a root canal now…
(And great idea with the iPod–I wouldn’t have even thought of that!)
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By Cathy on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I fear the dentist more than anyone.
Even during routine cleanings, I’ve got my hands clenched so tightly that my knuckles turn white.
Too many bad childhood experiences involving pulled baby teeth (that weren’t loose) and a crazy, grouchy dentist.
My happy place is at the hair salon, where I alternately zone out or gossip!
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By Queen of Shake-Shake on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
Yep, nothing much phases me after childbirth.
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By Amy on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I almost didn’t make it past the little picture at the top. Feel. Faint. Bye…
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By Sunshine on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I have one of these “vacations” coming up in the not-too-distant future. You still can’t make me look forward to it, but good effort!
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By Jennifer aka Binky Bitch on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
Oh Jenny, I went to the dentist just yesterday for a CLEANING and it was all I could do to NOT freak out. I’m proud of you for hanging in there on a root canal!
Not sure how I’m going to handle my 2 cavities being filled…
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By Heather aka The Momma on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
Who da thunk it? Maybe I’ll sign up for one of those. Still, there has to be pain involved, right? Don’t tell me if there is. :)
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By Amber on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I am a veteran when it comes to rotting teeth/root canals. I still remember my first like it was yesterday. When I went into the office, I was soooo ticked about something. Within moments of that gas, I distinctly remember dreamily thinking, “Allllll we need is looooooove.”
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By ThornyTreeLady on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
No WAY!! I literally just got home from root canal work and read this post! My doc offered noise cancelling headphones and any one of 110 movies he had in his collection that I could watch on the flat screen TV above my head(I almost went with the Monty Python collection, but realized I’d be laughing my head off, and that might interfere with the dentist’s ability to drill straight). In the end, I went with a talk on my iPod I’d never had time to listen to all the way through. And Raspberry scented Nitrous. So I REALLY enjoyed the experience.
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By mommyneedsacocktail on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
when you make the childbirth analogy, is there such thing as pain anywhere else?
and still a root canal sounds worse than childbirth.
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By carrie on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
Great post!
I always find comfort in the dentist’s chair too! But don’t know how relaxed I’d be during a procedure like that - I nearly fainted having my first cavity filled . . . last year!
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By cate on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I’ve never had a root canal, but I’m sure it would be a breeze, since I do not feel pain!
[crap! I gave away my super power! okay...stay calm....maybe she didn't hear me!]
I’m glad I’m not the only one that has conversations with myself!
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By Deb on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
ARGHHH the doctor offered me an AWAKE root canal or an asleep tooth pull SEDATED… Sedated asleep and yank! YEAH!
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By ReesePie on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I’ve had a good RC and a bad RC. I discovered that it matters if the tooth is actually dead or not, and if it is infected.
I’m glad you could (somewhat) enjoy it!
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By www.nolanotes.com on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
That’s quite the perspective you have! I’ve had 2 root canals and would not include the word “vacation” anywhere in my description of the experience!
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By shaz on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
yeah - i had one a few months after my second kid, and I kept falling asleep. the dentist would be like “shazia… open please” every few minutes! haha I thought is was pretty damn relaxing too!
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By creative-type dad on Sep 12, 2007 | Reply
I need to be put out, my dentist freaks me out. I wish they would put me out for teeth cleanings too.
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By Nadine on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
You go girl! I never had a root canal. But like you, I cannot imagine it to be more painful than childbirth. And if I ever have to have a root canal done? I am SO bringing my iPod!
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By kara on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
ouchie! I was at the dentist yesterday and just laying there with my eyes closed with no one around to scream or pull at me…it was pure bliss. Alone time is awesome.
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By LikeAstaR on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
I had the “almost dying for lack of breath” experience during childbirth. I was ovemedicated and numbed to my earlobes. It impacted my ability to breath and I kept screaming “I can’t breath!” My husband laughs so hard now… knowing that in order to scream that I had lung capacity. I really did freak out though and they had to put me out completely in order to calm me down. I should have brought my IPOD. Hope you are feeling good!
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By Jenn on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Those spit dams are the WORST! I too panic when I suddenly feel I’m beind deprived of all oxygen. Not a fun experience.
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By Maureen on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
I seem to be getting WORSE with age… I never had any problems with the dentist when I was younger. Now my panicked-self (love the conversation you had to yourself, BTW) wins most of the time.
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By Jo Beaufoix on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
Hmmm, not sure I’d have found my happy place there.
I mean, at least after childbirth you get presents.
;-)
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By Janine on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
This week is anti-dental work week - I had a bad reaction this week to the ephineprine and Wwwooooo HOOOOO - I really felt like I couldn’t breath!!! She told me to go to my happy place… I tried… but “Happy Place” only reminded me of sex, and, well, I couldn’t go there while I was having my teeth drilled!
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By SAHMmy Says on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
O-M’Gawd–I love love love you! Too funny! Found you through the blogroll on Jill’s Diaper Diaries.
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By ali on Sep 13, 2007 | Reply
sounds like the best vacation ever. :)
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By Mert on Sep 14, 2007 | Reply
Hee hee, I loved your conversation wit yourself. I am the same way, I hate that feeling like I can’t breath… which makes it harder to breath, ya know what I mean?
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By shauna on Sep 15, 2007 | Reply
Oh, you make me laugh. I felt the same way when I had to attend traffic school for my last ticket. It was practically a party!
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By Assertagirl on Sep 18, 2007 | Reply
I’ve been threatened with the possibility of a root canal and this post made me feel less panicky at the thought of it. Thanks!
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