Thursday, January 15, 2009

wisdom teeth are gone!

So now I'm done with the dental paperwork.
Below is a poem I composed today, as the pain has left me inspired:

On the extraction of my upper wisdom teeth

my face is round—a moon
or a pumpkin
and I cannot smile

my dog is near me, on the couch
happily chewing his bone

this day,
and every day,
is the best day of his life

he is soft and stupid and yet
so enlightened

I smile, and my face aches
and I laugh because the vicodin makes
me loopy

my face is round
and I am a pumkin
and a dog
and a smile

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

prepping for wisdom teeth extraction tomorrow

I had my consultation with an oral surgeon yesterday and made the appointment for my wisdom teeth extraction. The surgery will cost me 500 dollars, after insurance. Yikes.

The procedure includes general anesthesia, so I will take a few days off work after to let the effects wear off and to allow my big swollen face to deflate. After that, I'll get the medical clearance out of the way... fun :)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

dental clearance underway and patience like the Buddha

The bad news is that I've been a blog-slacker, but the good news is that I haven't been slacking in getting things done!

I spent a good portion of my last couple of days at the dentist's office getting my paperwork filled out. I went there on Tuesday morning for my 8:00 appointment (why did I DO that after only sleeping 3 hours?) and I didn't get in to see anyone until about 8:50.
Then I gave them my Peace Corps forms to fill out and they seemed to get really confused. They did about 18 x-rays of my teeth for the Full Mouth Set (FMS) that the Peace Corps requires. Then I waited in the waiting room for another 45 min. Then I saw the dentist, who poked around my mouth and told me I have two small cavities that require fillings, but an otherwise healthy mouth (I was relieved because I haven't seen a dentist in like 7 years...). Then they did another x-ray-- the one that goes around your head and beeps like a robot. The dentist looked at that and told me that I need to get my wisdom teeth out too. He wrote me a referral for an oral surgeon in their adjacent office (my appointment for that is next Monday). Then I waited for another hour or so (luckily I had a book to read) before I got my teeth cleaned.
Of course they told me to floss more often. I really should.
I pestered them for copies of the FMS and pestered them even more to make sure my form was completely filled out.
Then I paid 30 dollars in co-pays and made an appointment for the following day, yesterday at 13:20.

Yesterday, after a difficult workout with my trainer, I returned to the office at 13:00, only to be accused of missing my appointment, which was apparently at noon. I showed the desk lady the card that said 1:20 and she got me in right away. I got numbed up and got the fillings in what was a much quicker appointment than the previous day. My insurance covered most of the fillings, so I ended up paying 60 dollars.

Now I just have to call my insurance and beg for them to cover my wisdom teeth extraction!
Then I can get cracking on the medical forms. Eek.

And now, a word on patience:

In all the waiting and misunderstanding, I felt the ever-present pull of my ego, who wanted to be annoyed, impatient, and outraged by the incompetence of the people who worked there. However, I reminded myself to be like Buddha and chill out!
So I meditated, right there in the office, focusing on the sqaure pattern on the carpet and breathing in and out. I felt the love coming out of my being, blessing everyone around me.
As I was leaving both times, I thanked the women who collected my money and told them sincerely that I appreciated what they do. I saw the changes in their demeanors, surprised and touched by my kindness, they smiled and returned the thanks.

My purpose in life is to bless the world-- the people around me. If I can make that happen in a busy and hectic dentist's office, I can make it happen anywhere.
Note to self (and others): Remember to breath and smile. Radiate kindness and love no matter how annoyed you may feel. Then the annoyance will dissolve into peace.