Teeth

I wrote this tongue-in-cheek (heh. puns.) Haiku to Jeff today.

Big hole in my tooth
No abscess like your absence
Fillings are precious

I went to the NYU dental clinic, and began a root canal. They said it was good I came in because it was badly infected - and that that would explain my huge fatigue these days. I knew I had a toothache, but I thought I was getting depressed and anxious. Turns out I was just infected. So maybe now I will be less cranky and drink less whiskey. :) It hurt a lot - the lidocane won't work in an acidic environment, and the infection was acidic. Not a fun chemistry lesson. But I made no noise - not a peep! And I totally showed up the wuss across the divider who sounded like kittens in a blender.

Now my left corner of my lower lip feels as though it is swinging somewhere around my left ankle.

Sexy.

Anyhow, I closed my eyes and dissociated myself into a "happy place". I kept thinking of something funny Jeff had said and snickering, which was awkward because they had this terrifying Hannibal Lector rubber mask stretched across my face blocking the Evil Tooth from all the Innocent Teeth while they worked.

I want to thank Friends from 15th street who helped me in good old-fashioned Quaker way - making calls, writing e-mails, gettting me assistance, taking me to the clinic so I wouldn't be alone...I really felt the love and support of the community in a tangible every-day way. It is cliche to say now I "want to give back" but I am strengthened and inspired in my vision of a tightly knit meeting of Friends.

Glory be!