Perfect Timing

I'm (slowly) making my way through James Frey's memoir novel, A Million Little Pieces, and last night I read the part where he describes how he had to get a root canal and other godawful dental work WITHOUT (because he's in detox for alcohol and drugs). So I'm in bed reading, and I want to stop SO bad, because I have a dental appointment the next day to find out how bad my situation is and what needs to be done before I can get braces again (I got the first set off in 2001, but haven't worn the retainer) and I know how my mind works once it's been influenced by scary movies or freaky details in books...

Once I swore I saw a little girl ghost floating in my room--it was Billy's robe on the bathroom door--after reading The Icarus Girl...

James goes on FOREVER in the chapter I was reading about how "white" the pain is and he uses "muthaf***ing" in every other sentence. His imagery is really vivid...I was all tense while reading it through squinted eyes.

I went to the Dentist today, just before going in to see the Orthodontist, and I was all nervous while waiting in the Dentist's chair, staring at that pointy metal tooth prodder they use, anticipating some serious pain. Then I remind myself that I'm not in detox. There will be no "white muthaf***ing white pain" root canal for me. Although there may be regular pain root canals...

It turns out that I may need a couple of root canals (the root canals aren't necessary, but they recommend them mainly because they cost $250 apiece is my guess). I'm also going to have to have some serious work done on my mouth involving many needles and injections into my gums. Before all these shenanigans take place, I want to go to another dentist for a second opinion on my options. The office I went to is a national chain, and it seems like every conversation I had with everybody who touched my mouth included the phrase,"it's free" or "you're covered" or "we have payment plans".

This whole thing is gonna be SO unfun.

Comments

[Buck]

Sorry about the root canals. My mom has had two, and tells me that they aren't bad at all. Is James Frey the author who has taken so much flack lately? What I don't understand, I hear that he is a fabulous writer, and that his story is much enjoyed by everyone who read it. So what if it was intended as a memoir. Memoir, fiction, it was a great read. Right?

[Adriane]

Seems like you got the bad teeth genes little sistah! It's the price you have to pay for having the good (well better) body genes. MUUHUUHUUHAAHAAHAA!!!

[afrochelle]

You know I started reading his novel just before it came out that it was lies, and finished it after. Somehow knowing that it wasn't true made the book less enjoyable. He's not exactly a great writer. I think that I will read My Friend Leonard anyway, since I already have the book, but I'm not looking forward to it as much as I was before.

[truecraig]

When I was a kid, I had two cavities drilled n' filled without any anesthetic. It was horrendous. And I don’t remember WHY I requested it without the drugs. Stupid kid, I suppose.

Even as a grown man, I flinch something awful every time I hear that high-pitched drilling sound... I doubt I'm helping much here. Sorry about that.

Best of luck to you and your adventures with dentistry!

[Honest]

Good luck with that uhhh I'm getting my wisdom teeth removed in two weeks YIKES!