Going to the dentist is a NIGHTMARE! Nate and Noah just cannot tolerate it. Noah starts screaming the minute we pull in the parking lot. Nate is getting better. He just says, "No thank you" over and over again. We can still hold Noah down to get his teeth cleaned, but not Nate. So, every two years, we take Nate to the hospital for dental work.
This is not an easy process. First, we call all of his doctors to let them know he will be under anesthesia and see if they want any blood work done. (If he can't tolerate the dentist, can you imagine what he's like with a needle?) We then have a pre-surgery physical. At this physical, Nate was 5 ft 8 in and 156 lbs. He and I are exactly the same size. Thank God he is not violent. I wouldn't be able to control him. Then, I have a lengthy discussion with the doctors to see how they can best help Nate get through the anesthesia.
Luckily Nate was the first surgery today. His procedure was scheduled for 7:45 am and we had to be at the hospital at 6:15. He knew something was up when we pulled in the garage. He really fought the blood pressure cuff today, but put on the gown without a fight. The dentist came in to tell us that he planned on pulling one tooth, taking x-rays, and cleaning his teeth. Nate was also having some fasting bloodwork done. The nurse thought I was joking when I asked for a haircut and a facial......I wasn't! I wanted him to get a flu shot while he was asleep, but the hospital hasn't received theirs yet. I think someone from the hospital should now have to take Nate to get his flu shot.
Two other doctors came in to start the meds. They each had a syringe that they shot up his nose. It took 5 of us to hold him down. The medicine made him groggy, but did not put him to sleep. They came back with a gown, booties, and cap for Tim. Tim had to help get him into the operating room and hold Nate down while they put the mask on him to get him asleep. I still don't think Nate has forgiven Tim.
He was in surgery for a little over 1 hour. They can't start the iv until Nate is out. This time they put it in his foot. I think that was better than the hand. They called us as soon as he went to Recovery. It's very tricky in Recovery. They have to get the iv out befor Nate wakes up and rips it out, but it has to stay in long enough to give him fluids. This time he slept for over an hour after surgery so they were able to leave it in longer. The first time they wrapped the iv and his arm so tightly that he started banging his arm on the bed rail and hurt himself. Nate did not have any cavities....this surprises me. I brush his teeth every day, but his oral motor skills are so poor that he can't pull his lips back far enough to get a good brushing. They only pulled one tooth. Since Nate can't tolerate braces, the dentist will pull teeth from the back to keep the front 8 straight.
As soon as Nate woke up he was ready to leave. He barely tolerated the post op exam from the nurse and was insisting on leaving. "I want bye bye doctor." Luckily, he did not need stitches in his mouth. He has found the wound with his tongue, but I hope that it will be much better tomorrow. He had pancakes for lunch (soft food), but was ready for pizza for dinner.
This was a long, hard day. It was physically and emotionally draining. I think the last person Nate wants to see again is the dentist.
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