Bad Teeth are a Bad Thing #laryngectomee, #laryngectomy

I had my last 6 teeth pulled on Wednesday. Haven't been feeling too great and my husband's birthday was coming up so I've been getting things together for that. I've made myself go square dancing and to my classes even though I didn't feel like it. So whatever excuse I may come up with, I neglected this for a week. 

Bad teeth are a bad thing. I thought I was doing myself a favor by waiting until I just couldn't handle the pain but that wasn't a good idea. I actually didn't wait until the pain was unbearable; I went in when it was really uncomfortable. By then the teeth were so bad that 4 broke off and had to be DUG out. They gave me an immediate denture but that doesn't fit real well with the swelling and is causing sores. Fortunately, the good dentist gave me pain meds. 

I share this because cancer treatment can cause havoc in your mouth. Many of you may be doing the same thing as me. Waiting. Do yourself a favor, don't wait. 

It is worth noting that my dentist was agreeable to the half reclining position I needed for him to remove my teeth. That evidently was not communicated to the person who was numbing my teeth. I told her I needed to sit up just a little bit more but she said she had to have me back so she could get to my mouth. After insisting I needed my head raised, she gave me a "pillow" which she put under my neck which quickly disappeared into the crevice created by the headrest behind my head. I gave up trying and I endured. It was really hard to breathe. 

Don't do that either. Don't "settle" because you get tired of fighting your fight. Every time there was a pause I sat up and got some good air but was, of course, immediately laid back down. I survived, of course, but I shouldn't have had to endure the discomfort of not breathing well. 

When she was done I wrote an extensive note to the dental tech who would be assisting the dentist explaining to him that I need to be reclining, not laying down. I told him that it is very hard to breathe and that people have coded by being laid flat. (I read that on the WebWhispers FB page I think.) He said he understood and when the dentist came into the room, the tech let the dentist know. The dentist already knew but a good reminder never hurts, right. 

Over-tell. Over-communicate. Let people know. You don't just have a small fear of not breathing. Not breathing is a real thing. I made myself a shirt. (I actually saw that on WebWhispers FB page as well, I think.) Maybe I should have worn it to the dentist that day. Maybe it would have made a better connection. Maybe I need to make a shirt for wearing to appointments that says "Do NOT lay me flat on my back." Haha! That could look real strange walking around the store wearing that. 

Be well, my friends. Advocate for yourself. Not all of us have a caregiver who can help with these things. I do not. Love yourself enough to speak up.

Blessings,
Mary




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