Anyways here is the whole story if you want to read...
So since this whole thing was a study the surgery had to be done under conscious sedation. They had to ask me how I was doing, if I think I needed more medication and if I felt anxious. Here is how the whole thing went. So the nurse got my IV in my hand and ready to go. They first took the amount of blood they needed for the study of my DNA. I got waaaay dizzy and they kept saying I looked pale. The nurse had to get out some ammonia for me to sniff so I wouldn't pass out. So one part of the study was that I would either receive a placebo or Midazolam through the IV. After they put that in my IV I didn't really feel anything. The doctor came in and then administered the local anesthesia. The shots in the very back of my mouth didn't really hurt but the ones in my palate made me cry. I'm going to admit it - I started to get weepy. The doctor said I needed to calm down my breathing. He was very nice and I immediately trusted him. They decided to give me some oxygen through my nose. Now that's a weird feeling. So the extraction officially started and before I knew it he had popped out the top two. When he got to the bottom 2 I heard the drill start and he said I would feel some pressure. Yep, he was right. I kept thinking, "If he applies anymore pressure he's going to slip and blow right through my cheek!" I felt him sew me up and do the same on the other side. After he sewed the last one he through down his tools, put his hands in the air and said "DONE SUCKAS!" Just kidding, but they told me later he was done in 14 minutes.
The nurse said I did really good and she thinks I got the pain medication in the IV. She said the Midazolam usually has a paradoxical effect and women sometimes cry. She also mentioned it would have an amnesia effect and might make me feel sleepy. Well I think I got the placebo because I remember everything and was not sleepy at all and cried because it hurt!
They had to monitor me for a couple of hours after wards and then sent me home with Vicodin and Ibuprofen. I got an awesome care package from work and surprise ice cream from great friends. Poor Ben has been taking good care of me, too. He calls me every 4 hours from work to remind me to take my medicine. I am in good hands and on a steady diet of pudding, applesauce, ice cream & mashed potatoes. I'm still pretty swollen and the jaw is still tight but there hasn't been any bruising so far. I can't really talk normal and sometimes talking even makes me more sore.
Ben didn't get a picture of me but here are some other people we can make fun of...
All in all I am really grateful for this opportunity even though it was out of the norm. I was with seasoned doctors and nurses who made me feel comfortable. I am also grateful for Ben's friend at work who let us borrow the complete Seinfeld series so I could be occupied. I'm only on Season 4 so I got a ways to go!
