Numbing the Pain
This week, I returned to the periodontist for another round of oral surgery. The anesthetic that is used is all local – a couple of shots in the mouth, some numbing ointment around the teeth and gums. After a few minutes, you feel nothing. Even watching the dentist at work, knowing she was slicing and stitching my mouth and doing all sorts of nasty things in there, I felt no pain, no discomfort.
I need Novocaine for the soul.
No, I’m not talking about that late ’90s song by the Eels. But while I was sitting there in the chair I realized how amazing those little shots were – something that otherwise would have been ridiculously painful doesn’t hurt a bit (until the drugs wear off, anyway). What I wouldn’t give to numb my life every now and then – things that would stress me out wouldn’t faze me a bit, I would approach the family and friend drama on an even keel, I would let nonsense pass me by without getting worked up over the ridiculousness.
If only it was that easy. Instead, I find myself lately on an emotional roller coaster filled with stress, anxiety, sadness, exhaustion and dread. There just doesn’t seem to be an easy way off, but I guess these roller coasters are what’s called “life”. It doesn’t make it any easier knowing that this is all a part of the journey; I just hope at some point the roller coaster at least slows down a bit so I can enjoy the ride.
In the meantime, I have the vicodin and ibuprofen … to ease the pain and swelling in my mouth, anyway. The rest of the healing is a very slow work in progress.