So, I had my wisdom teeth out at the ripe old age of 30. Most people get this done in their late teens or early 20's, but I hadn't developed wisdom teeth at that point. Once I did get them, I procrastinated getting them out for a few years and then was either pregnant, nursing, or wanting to get pregnant (I'm actually wishing I was already pregnant at this point). So, I never got them out. Now that I am ready for baby #3, I decided I better get them out before we start that whole process and have to wait another 2 years. Plus, two of the teeth had broken through a little and were kind of annoying and I felt like my teeth were crowding and didn't want that to get any worse. So $1250 later, I have no more wisdom teeth. Hopefully I won't be any less wise.
They put me completely out, which was quite alright with me. I've decided I would love to be put out for any and all unpleasant experiences in the future. Morning sickness, labor, long plane rides and/or car trips, children throwing fits, etc. It's really quite amazing how one minute you're there, the next minute you're gone, and then you wake up and remember none of it.
The recovery hasn't been quite as bad as I thought it would be. Nate took 2 days off of work to take care of me and the kids. I have had my fair share of smoothies, ice cream, mashed potatoes, soup, pudding, vicoden, and ibuprofen.
They sent me home with this handy dandy ice pack headband that they lovingly called a jaw bra. 
Why I insist on posting hideous pictures of myself on my blog, I don't know. Here I am trying to show the swelling, which really wasn't that bad at that point. More disturbing is how pale I am. Nate kept commenting on that, but I didn't really notice until now. 
By Friday night the swelling was definitely worse. Here's another gorgeous picture to prove it. 
By yesterday I was finally ready to do full hair and makeup for church, which I think distracted from the swelling. Plus, it had gone down.
Wow my face looks asymmetrical in this picture. Was I raising one eybrow or is it always like that?
Why I insist on posting hideous pictures of myself on my blog, I don't know. Here I am trying to show the swelling, which really wasn't that bad at that point. More disturbing is how pale I am. Nate kept commenting on that, but I didn't really notice until now. By Friday night the swelling was definitely worse. Here's another gorgeous picture to prove it. 
By yesterday I was finally ready to do full hair and makeup for church, which I think distracted from the swelling. Plus, it had gone down.Wow my face looks asymmetrical in this picture. Was I raising one eybrow or is it always like that?So after two weeks of suffering and misery (remember, I was sick the week before), I am finally feeling somewhat normal and ready to face life again. I cleaned out the toys in Harrison's room this morning -- a chore that provides lots of entertainment for the kids as they remember long lost playthings.
The remaining complaints are that I still have numbness on the right lower side, and chewing still presents lots of problems. I have lost another 2 pounds since the week I was sick (5 total). Forget dieting and exercise -- illness and surgery are very effective!
For the record, New Beginnings went very well on Wednesday night. It actually turned out fine that I saved all the work for the 2 days before. Thankfully the other leaders helped a lot too. I am SO relieved to have that over with. The stake is putting on YW in Excellence (our other big annual program), so my major YW stresses are done until next year. Hallelujah!
Anyway, I've saved these two pictures for last, because they really are quite disgusting. These pictures are not for the faint hearted. I am not faint hearted (obviously, I'm the kind of girl who asks them to save my teeth for me so I can see them.)
If you get squeamish about rotten looking, bloody teeth with huge chunks of my gum still attached, then don't look down.
Yes, that pinkish red stuff is gum tissue. Now that even disturbed me. And why they look brown and rotten is beyond me.
They say I need to eat soft foods for SIX weeks! If I don't seem normal and happy for the next 5 weeks and 2 days, you'll know why.Seriously, does anyone know how to make this put spaces between my paragraphs. They're here when I'm editing and then when I post they're gone.
Post Edit: Thank you Kat(e) for your tips on the spacing! It worked perfectly!
8 comments:
Oh, my goodness. You poor thing. You are a brave girl to post all those pictures. I must say you look really good in your picture for church! And I just noticed that you have really good cheekbones! I hope that you are feeling better. What a bummer to have to eat soft foods for 6 weeks. Get lots of ice cream!
I glad everything went well!!!
I have lots more soup recipes if you want them!
I had my wisdom teeth out during reading days just before finals in college. I didn't take any pain medication because I wanted to have my wits about me. And I didn't believe in medicine back then (I do now!) I also looked like a chipmunk and was worried that my swelling would never go down and I'd always look that way. The weight loss is a nice side-benefit, though!
Ah, I remember when I got my wisdom teeth out. Did they give you a syringe to wash out the holes? I remember using it and washing out a noodle from Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. I know, gross.
To get spaces between your paragraphs you have to click the 'Edit HTML' tab on the right side of the text box when you are creating or editing a post. I would wait until you have everything finished and click the tab. It has the codes for pictures instead of the actual picture and your text so it will look weird. You'll have to read very closely to see where you want to put your spaces. That should work. Let me know if you have any questions or if what I said doesn't make any sense.
wow those are some yucky pictures (the teeth not you. I had mine out when I was like six and it was so thouroghly erased from my mind by the pain meds that I thought i still had them till just recently
Michelle,
Now that I have seen your extracted teeth perhaps you would like to see the photo they gave me of my colon(oscopy)! :)
Michelle, I have to tell you this post scares me to death!! I too didn't have any wisdom teeth until about 5 years ago and have procrastinated as well with going through all that. It looks miserable!! I have all the info for the oral surgen but can't get myself to call and make an appointment. I wish I could say that reading this blog has given me that encouragement but no, I'm even more scared!! :)
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