An Inconvenient Tooth...Update

Ladies and gentlemen...the tooth has left the mouth.

Kiernan did a great job this morning. I was most impressed with how he did not complain at all when he couldn't have anything for breakfast. We had been instructed not to let him have anything after midnight, even water, because of the liquid anesthesia stuff (that's the technical term) he would be drinking before the procedure. We explained that to him, and furthermore told him we would not be eating or drinking anything in the morning either (solidarity). He seemed unfazed by this in the morning. Of course this was helped by the fact that our appointment was for 8:30am. Still, I almost started crying about not getting coffee.

The oral surgeon gave Kiernan a small bit of liquid to drink that apparently tasted horrible, and then said doctor went away while we waited for it to take effect. In a few minutes Kiernan started acting somewhat loopy and drowsy. A nurse took his blood pressure and we took him to one of the rooms. Wendy got on the chair with Kiernan in her lap and he was hooked up to a heartbeat monitor before getting the nitrous. They do this with all patients; this was not particular to Kiernan. In fact, the surgeon had called Kiernan's cardiologist, the excellent Dr. Ferry, early on in the process just to discuss the procedure with him. Dr. Ferry reportedly told the surgeon that Kiernan was fine. "Just treat him like any other healthy patient." I love hearing that.

It was good news when--about a year and a half ago I think--Dr. Ferry told us we would only need to bring Kiernan in for checkups once every two years. It was an indication of how healthy he was and is. But I have to say there is a little bitter with this sweet news because we get to see Dr. Ferry so infrequently. He is just one of those people it's great to be around. Good guy.

Anyway, the surgeon (Dr. Feder...also a pretty good guy) gave Kiernan a couple shots of Novocaine (Kiernan was NOT crazy about this) and then put the mask on him so he could get some nitrous oxide. He then swabbed Kiernan's gums and went in to pull the tooth with something resembling tweezers. Kiernan cried out once and the tooth was out. Just like that. I stood off to the side, one eye on Kiernan and one on the heart monitor, trying to pretend I wasn't nervous about anything. I needn't have worried.

A few minutes and a couple of stitches later and Kiernan was in the recovery room/cubicle. He was still loopy and drowsy, but was quickly responsive to Dr. Feder's questions. He never really crossed into the surreal territory of the famous viral (and somewhat disturbing) video David after The Dentist, but he had a couple of amusing moments, like when he said Dr. Feder had four eyes.

After another check of his blood pressure we were able to take Kiernan home. Dr. Feder wanted us to get him home and get a little children's pain reliever into him before the Novocaine could fully wear off. We got home, set him up in bed with many pillows, and I made him a chocolate shake to sip (NO STRAWS!!). He tried to walk but still didn't have his sea legs, so after reading a couple of books we encouraged him to nap for a bit. After an hour or so of sleep he woke up rarin' to go.

He's doing great, but he doesn't really believe this is his tooth because it looks so odd. No matter, I'm sure this will not impact his decision to keep whatever funds the Tooth Fairy leaves with him tonight.