Monday, November 12, 2012

Learning From My Wisdom Being Gone

Just like that, my wisdom is gone. But I learned so much.

On Friday the inevitable happened. I finally, at the age of 26, had all my wisdom stripped from me. I knew it was coming, I had known it ever since the first little bit of wisdom sprouted, but I wasn't prepared. Thankfully, I learned a lot from the experience.

On Friday, I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed. I thought I was in the clear. Most people had them out in high school, maybe college. Anyone else, I thought, just got to keep their wisdom in tact. Boy did I think wrong. About 6 months ago, my bottom right wisdom tooth started coming in. I was referred to an oral surgeon who x-rayed and told me that all 4 needed to come out. "They will cause you problems," he said. "It's a matter of when, not if." That's all I needed to hear. So I scheduled the extraction (is that what it's called?!) for Friday. I wanted to wait until I would be done breastfeeding so my little love didn't get anything into her milk (meds from me being knocked out and pain meds if I needed them). Plus, I just wanted to delay the inevitable...we all do that, right?!

So Friday, I went in to have them steal my wisdom. It was knocked out (twilight), so I don't remember any of it, but judging by how my jaw has felt since then, they were not gentle nor were they kind. Perhaps they would have been a bit nicer if I was awake? I guess I will never know.

Honestly, I don't know what I expected. Most people tell you how bad it stinks. That it's miserable. But I didn't really think it through I guess. I thought it would be no big deal...afterall, I did hear how bad labor was and still feel jealous of people I know in labor! Ha! I have been able to cut the soreness with just some Advil, but man I'm sick of not using my mouth to eat, to talk, to drink, to swallow normally, you name it. But I did learn some stuff through this process, so I'll share it:

1. I'm a talker. This one comes as no surprise to anyone that's spent more than 30 seconds with me. But I guess I never quite realized how much I talked, until I couldn't....FOR DAYS. I feel like a grenade ready to explode, full of worthless, pointless things I want to say. I know I have nothing profound to share, but all those little stories, thoughts, exchanges..I WANT TO BLOW UP NOT HAVING THEM! I'm sure it'd been the best weekend of Ronnie's life on the other hand - HA!

2. I'm a texture gal. I have had to eat soft (read: no chewing necessary) foods since Friday, and honestly, I'd rather just not eat. I'm the kind of gal that doesn't really like ice cream, unless there's something inside of it I can chew. Don't give me soup, unless it's chunky. I want to chomp down on something with some crunch, not just place something in my mouth I can swallow as is. I always kind of knew this, but didn't realize just how much I needed texture until I didn't want to eat at all this weekend.

3. People think you're mean when you don't move your mouth. Give it a shot. Talk to someone and barely move your lips/mouth. People look at you like you're being rude. I tried to slip in, "I had my wisdom teeth out," in every conversation because otherwise, I just looked like a puffy, expressionless meany!

4. I make a cute chipmunk. Said no one ever.

5. I can live without water, but no one would do it. I am still alive, even though I have had very little water this weekend (or any liquid/food). I usually drink about 100oz/day of water, so this is quite the change. I am glad to see I don't die without it (I supposed eventually I would!) but I'm certain it's not good for me. Back to water drinking, ASAP!

Welp, that's it. That's what I learned through having my wisdom taken from me. If you've curious, I think today I'm on the up and up and just praying I don't get those dry sockets people talk about!!