5/22/14 11:56pm
My surgery went really well today. I had my wisdom teeth removed. It’s been on my list for 15+ years and I finally found an amazingly kind and talented surgeon and all the stars aligned to do it. He pulled the two top ones whose roots were in my sinus cavity and did coronectomies on the bottom two – some fancy procedure where they take the tooth part but leave the root. He did this because the root was wrapped around the nerve controlling feeling to my face. He’s the first surgeon I’ve met with who had a solution for this.
Mom took me this morning and has been caring for me all day – no small task. I woke up feeling excited (not sure why) and took a shower. I was mad we were late but calmed down. I remember before but not much after. She’s been there for me all day with meds on time and approved foods and attention. In fact, she’s in the kitchen now refusing to go to bed until I do. I just want to finish this.
The pain meds have been great, except for this afternoon. I’d been in bed all day and didn’t want my vitals to go too low so I skipped my 1pm flexeril. Shortly after, I began having trouble breathing, severe pains in my stomach and back, blood pressure 69/46 then 76/44. I was shaking all over, white as a sheet, freezing cold but my body was hot. I had to pee but couldn’t. The intensity grew quickly by the moment. My mom called the doctor. I tried to get from the bathroom to my bed but couldn’t. I opted for crawling on the floor, then lying on my back. Blood from one of the incisions ran down my throat. I could barely talk. I prayed she’d just call 911. The doctor wanted her to at least take me to urgent care for fluids, make sure I was alright. While they were on the phone and I was lying on the floor an image popped into my head. It told me to put my feet up over my head, upside-down like plow pose in yoga. I put my hands in the small of my back and my knees in the pressure points on the inside of my eyes. I could breathe. It was like magic. Mom propped some pillows under my butt so I could relax while still partially posed. Such relief. No ER. We didn’t go to urgent care. I didn’t know until tonight that my doc said he wanted me to have an IV. I would’ve gone. There was great concern that I might be allergic to the pain med he’d given me since I’d only taken it once. Turns out it was probably really bad cramps from a period I didn’t intend to welcome today. With blood pressuer that low I think it was safer for me not to take the flexeril, but I haven’t had pain like that in ages. Needless to say, I took my next dose of flexeril.
I am so grateful and fascinated that they let me take my teeth home. It’s like buried treasure. I want to see my incisions and stitches but Walmart didn’t have one of those little dental mirrors. I’ll look or have my mom look at Target tomorrow. I’m so tired now that it’s hard to keep my eyes open. Everyone is asleep but me. I think i’m doing well with the surgery because of my awesome mom and doctor and dentist but also because I’m already on an NSAID, muscle relaxer, and nerve pain pill. Without those I think I’d be melting. I got several crisis calls from people today. My face hurt after answering them but it was nice to be able to. Ellie, my dog, has been very receptive to my pain too. I am learning that people really are there for me if I pay attention.
I have to go. My meds are kicking in and the screen is becoming blurry. I didn’t forget you. Live long and prosper – toothless or not. ;)
© Michelle Routhieaux 2014
Writing Towards Happy 
Hi! I saw that you had a coronectomy done and I was just wondering what has been your progress. Have you had any issues? I just had one done about a week ago. Did you ever look at the area? Did you see gums or a little bit of the tooth?
I looked at the area a lot actually. I saw gums and holes where the teeth had been, stitches before they dissolved. I poked around in the holes trying to get food out and occasionally little pieces of tooth would come out. I had severe pain and swelling for several weeks but after that I haven’t had any issues. How is your progress?
Hi Michelle! I stumbled upon your post and I am curious how things are long term now that it’s be a few years. I, too, have all 4 of my wisdom teeth-2 uppers with roots into my sinus cavities and both lowers have roots too close to the nerves for me to have normal extraction. I would love to talk to you more about this, I’m really nervous because I’m having issues with two of them and they will need to come out soon. I haven’t found a surgeon in my area and I’m also almost 40, so I know my risks are even higher.
I’m sorry to hear you’re having issues with your teeth. Ouch! I don’t have any long-term issues from having my wisdom teeth removed. What were you wondering?
Thanks for writing me back! I think I’m mostly worried about nerve damage and issues with my sinuses. I have a surgical consult tomorrow and will be asking alot of questions. I am ok with pain(I mean, I say that now), but the nerve stuff really scares me! I’m in my late 30’s so much older than most patients getting this done!