RRN Online Volume 349

February 08 '03

Volume 349

Pain Management Whatever It Takes

Several years ago, my regular dentist crowned and bridged fifteen of my teeth. It was the most comprehensive work that I'd ever had done inside my mouth. Yet, the pages of my life are littered with teeth and problems associated with them.

I learned to fear the dental chair at an early age thus I only went to a dentist as a last resort. The result was I lost a lot of teeth that might have been saved had painless dentistry been available. Painless dentistry did not enter into my life until I was in my thirties, and it did not seem that dentists were more concerned with saving teeth than extracting them until about the same. That may not be the case, but living in a rural area, I didn't get the word as early as some may have.

In more recent years, I've had to see a periodontist in order to control gum disease and have had some bone grafts done to replace bone-loss caused by unhealthy gums. Fortunately, I only lost a couple of teeth to gum disease and have, save for a couple of minor fillings, managed to maintain healthy gums and teeth for several years.

You could say I was somewhat alarmed last fall, when a sharp pain rifled through my right lower jaw. It only lasted a split second, but it was the type of pain that makes you sit up and take notice. For several weeks the pain would revisit me, but never for more than a split second and usually not more than three or four times a day. It was definitely something I could tolerate, but the prospects of a worsening condition sent me back to my regular dentist.

The tooth associated with the pain is an important one. It anchors a bridge that spans four teeth, and I would be short three teeth on my right side without the molar.

"You'll eventually lose that tooth," my dentist commented while frowning. "But, I think I can help you today."

He then proceeded to grind down the surface of the crown on the tooth immediately above the molar. This kept the two teeth from pressing too firmly against each other in a "normal bite." And, it all did seem to help, because the frequency of occasional sharp pains was greatly diminished.

At my last visit to my periodontist, I explained the problem with my right rear molar, and he comforted me with the words, "If it starts hurting you again, call me."

From our complete conversation, I gathered he felt another type of dental specialist might be able to prolong the life of my tooth.

I have a weakness for peanut brittle, especially that made by area Pentecostal churches. Therefore, I couldn't pass up a couple of slabs of it, recently, when I found some in a store in Weir, MS. Though I was careful not to chew on my right side, as I enjoyed the peanut brittle, enough of it melted, ran over to the other side, and quickly solidified, building up a small mound that I accidentally crunched down onto.

It hurt, and I knew at that moment I had messed up. Within a few days, the tooth was bothersome. It began to hurt as I drank a cup of coffee at my hairstylist's shop in Memphis, last Friday. Still it was a manageable sort of pain, nothing to be alarmed about. However, by the time I returned to Pontotoc, that afternoon, I was ready for a few aspirin.

The aspirin did not alleviate the pain, but cold water did. I learned a long time ago that something might ease tooth pain associated with decay, but if the tooth were abscessed, heat would hurt it and cold would help it. My condition deteriorated until by seven o'clock Friday evening, I had to keep something cold in my mouth to manage the pain.

Because we had been unable to reach either my dentist or periodontist, Barbara had picked up some medications for me earlier that afternoon, ones prescribed by our family doctor. The pain pill I swallowed around seven o'clock offered no noticeable relief, but I dutifully waited the prescribed four hours before taking a second one. However, when the clock struck twelve and I was still in pain, I took another pill. Over the next several hours I took a pain pill on the hour, all to no avail.

I spent the night on the couch, sipping ice water from one container and expectorating it into another container as the temperature of the water in my mouth rose to near my body temperature and lost it's ability to suppress pain. I kept thinking the pain medication would kick in and I'd doze off, but that never happened, besides whenever I did almost doze, the water would trickle down my chin and awaken me.

Shortly after 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning, Barbara phoned my periodontist who called in a different pain medication and promised to get me in to see an endodontist on Monday. Meanwhile, Barbara found a few Darvocets, and the first one I swallowed had the pain under control within forty-five minutes. I slept until mid-afternoon but awakened in a state of nausea that required four trips to the privy to subside. I ate practically nothing on Saturday and remained relatively pain free once I took the Darvocet. I kept to the bed most of the early evening and retired around 10:00 p.m.

I did not feel well enough to attend church Sunday, so I lounged around the house. Jason reported a problem with his water heater, and I helped him clean out a utility room to gain access to the water heater. In the process, my tooth pain returned, though to a lesser degree, and I did not take another pain pill until bedtime.

I awoke Monday morning with a swollen jaw and a disturbing soreness in my throat. My periodontist phoned shortly after 8:00 a.m. to let me know the endodontist would work me into his schedule in the afternoon. I spent more than two hours in the dental chair at the endodontist where the shots of pain medication were dosed liberally. I think I had upwards of twenty injections, but I don't mind the shots as long as they prevent any pain while the tooth is being repaired.

Saving my tooth is the goal. Right now, after two root canal procedures, I am pain free, but my pocketbook is hurting. I won't say how badly, because I don't want to discourage anyone with a similar ailment. I'm not quite done, though, and will return at the end of this month for some finishing touches. I may not be entirely done even then, because there is a possibility one root of the tooth may need to be removed and new bridgework done. Should that be the case, I may have to declare bankruptcy, or eat with fewer teeth.

Joshua O'Grady by Barbara Carter

Joshua O'Grady called almost immediately upon delivery of the email I sent requesting a Habitat Fellows student to come this summer to work with us. The Habitat Fellows Program is a minor program unique to Sterling College in Sterling, Kansas. Habitat for Humanity International has endorsed this four-year program and will provide internships upon graduation. The college provides four-year scholarships for this program, which includes a minor in Social Entrepreneurship.

Joshua is a second year Habitat Fellows student, which means he was one of the first to enroll -- the program is in its second year of existence. Josh had been working with the Director of the program, trying to locate a site for field study during the interterm. He asked if we would be interested in assisting in this study program. Since both Bro. Joe Steen and I were eager to learn more about the Habitat Fellows Program, and since we can always use extra help, we readily agreed.

All Joshua asked in way of compensation was room and board. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization, which exists primarily on donations. Knowing he would be here for a month or more and that rent and food for that period of time could cost a considerable amount, I agreed to house and feed Joshua. After all we have two extra bedrooms, an extra bathroom and we almost always have a meal of some type.

We worked out the arrangements and Joshua planned to arrive on December 31. After spending a few days of Christmas vacation with his family in Fair Play, South Carolina, he would drive over to Pontotoc.

About 10:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve, I was beginning to get a little nervous since he had not arrived and I had not heard from him. I had instructed him to call me when he got to Tupelo for directions on into Pontotoc. About that time the phone rang and it was Joshua. He apologized for being that late, but he missed a road in Alabama and drove several miles out of his way. We arranged to meet on the Court Square in Pontotoc.

Wayne and I waited a little while and then drove up town. Joshua was already there. Since he was tired from a nine-hour plus drive, I just showed him his room, where a few things were and he crashed for the night.

New Year's day Wayne and I started taking down Christmas decorations. When Joshua arose he jumped in and helped. Soon we had everything boxed up and in the garage ready for the attic.

Joshua O'Grady comes from a family of five children; he is the second child. When the Carter Clan started arriving I asked him if he was going to be able to put up with us for a month. He leaned back in his chair, laughed and said, "I'm loving it!" (We tend to get a little loud and rowdy when we get together).

Joshua is a computer science major, so when we went to the office I just presented him with the computer problems I have been having (mainly operator problems) and he solved those immediately. The activities outlined in Josh's study guide were broad and general, so we just decided to let him follow us in our day to day operations. The first week we covered a lot of his required information -- met with the Board members, visited Habitat families, worked with staff, worked on a house build and attended a committee meeting.

Everyday at the Habitat office is a new day. New challenges arise and new opportunities present themselves. Joshua hung in there with the rest of us. In between happenings we would discuss and analyze issues. Since he has recent classroom experience, he was able to offer much insight into the happenings with the Pontotoc Habitat affiliate. He said that he could definitely see the difference between the classroom situations and the "real world" of the affiliate. I hope that was a positive experience for him.

Josh became one of our family for the month he was here. He was no trouble at all. He studied often and did not demand a great deal from anyone. Since he is a computer science major, he, Brett, Jason and Wayne could communicate quite well. Since he is a sophomore at Sterling College, he and Felicia had much in common. Since he is from a larger family with older and younger siblings, he related well with Rayanne, Anson, Merilese, Katherine and Anna. Also, when Josh was unloading his truck when he arrived, Wayne saw a guitar. Now that fits right in with the Carters. It seems Josh is just learning guitar and had taken a course last semester. He and Jason connected on that, too.

On top of all this, Josh helped out in the kitchen, made his bed, emptied the trash, and did his laundry. Wow! What a hit with me!

Josh attended First Baptist Church with us each Sunday and went to Bro. Ken Hester's College and Career Sunday School Class, except on the first Sunday, when I sent him to the wrong room. He was in an adult couple's class that Sunday, but he made an impression on those folks, too.

Josh is a deeply religious young man, with very strong convictions. He desires to do a meaningful work with his life -- helping the needy, witnessing for Jesus and influencing those around him. He will be successful, very successful, in Habitat for Humanity work, in the field of ministry at home or on a mission field. I'm convinced Josh has what it takes to make his life count for the Lord and he has the determination and love to see that it does.

Tammy and Shawn O'Grady, Josh's parents, have made an excellent contribution in molding the life of this young man. I congratulate them and now join them in pride over who Josh is and what he will be in this world.

Another Sandwich Responses Continue

Some folks can't remember a special Christmas, but at the mention of food, most everyone has a favorite something. Readers continue to share their thoughts on sandwiches.

Lamar Bearden, Villa Rica, GA:
I am somewhat surprised that no one had a BEC [Bacon Egg and Cheese] for his or her favorite sandwich. This is my Sunday night special and has to be made in the correct order by a professional, my wife.

Using wheat bread, spread Blue Plate brand Mayonnaise on both slices. Slice enough cheddar cheese, very thin, to cover the left side of bread. The bacon is fried on a low heat until very crisp. While the bacon is frying, break three eggs into a bowl and beat briskly adding a little milk, salt & pepper, and set aside. Crumble the crisply fried bacon into tidy bits and set aside. Scramble the eggs in the bacon grease and then spread on top of the cheese on the left side of the sandwich. Add a little more pepper to the eggs and then spread the bacon bits over the eggs. Cover the eggs with the right slice of bread, cut the sandwich in a diagonal direction and serve with a glass of milk and chips.

This will make two sandwiches with a little egg left over that is usually given to Bridget (the dog). This has been a favorite of mine for as long as I can remember. I might add, that as a youngster we had chickens and eggs were plentiful.

Claude Jones, Pontotoc, MS:
I wrote "Ham Sandwich" to send to you upon your asking of favorite sandwiches. I was never satisfied with it…I did however use it in a "Show and Tell" at the Sprinkling of Methodist, last Thursday, to compare the thin sliced ham sandwiches people now make. They even roll up the paper-thin ham to try to make you think you are getting something. A real ham sandwich is thick sliced ham on "light bread" not the rolled up recomposistion on some dark whole grain bread.

Ham Sandwich

A cold ham sandwich on fresh Wonder Bread
With no mayonnaise or salad dressing on it spread

But lots of yellow mustard dabbed generously on each side
Forcing mouth to open, gaping and wide

And lips try to seal the edges by gripping the crust
Because the mustard will run as in the mouth it is thrust

On to lips and chin will flow the tangy, yellow ooze
And even on the lapels or collar, depending on how much you loose

But no care or concern is really conceived
As that wonderful combination of flavors is lovingly perceived

The mustard excites the palate, taste buds and tongue
And nerves are set on ready, impulses to brain are rapidly flung

The flavor of the ham mixes in and I smile in pure delight
The yellow on my chin and shirt, may make quite a sight

But no matter how many napkins or moistened wipes
Ham mustard and Wonder Bread, oils and clears, my rusty pipes.

Claude Jones 01/14/03

Correction to a recent contribution: Dr. and Mrs. Mac Molnar reside in Columbus, GA, not Columbus SC.

Bodock Beau The Egg Business

The following humor carries a possible PG13 rating. Thanks go to Dena Kimbrell for the contribution:

Zebediah was in the fertilized egg business. He had several hundred young layers, called pullets, and eight or ten roosters, whose job was to fertilize the eggs. Zeb kept records, and any rooster that didn't perform well went into the soup pot and was replaced. That took an awful lot of Zeb's time; so Zeb got a set of tiny bells and attached them to his roosters. Each bell had a different tone so that Zeb could tell, from a distance, which rooster was performing.

Now, Zeb could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report simply by listening to the bells. Zeb's favorite rooster was old Brewster. A very fine specimen he was too; but on this particular morning Zeb noticed that Brewster's bell wasn't ringing at all. Zeb went to investigate. The other roosters were chasing pullets, bells a ringin'; the pullets hearing the roosters coming would run for cover. But, to Zeb's amazement, Brewster had his bell in his beak so it couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and head for another one.

Zeb was so proud of Brewster he entered him in the County Fair. Brewster was a sensation. The judges not only awarded him The No Bell Piece Prize, but also The Pullet Surprise.

Share this article with a friend.

Home