Dental Drama: The Pain That Wouldn’t Quit

 

 Let me tell you, folks, this week has been a journey—a rollercoaster ride through the thrilling theme park of dental recovery. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t tall enough for this ride. After enduring what felt like a construction project in my mouth (drills, cranes, and maybe a jackhammer), I thought I was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The pain had subsided to the point where I boldly declared, "I don’t need these painkillers anymore!" Cue ominous music.

Day one without analgesia started off fine. I felt like a dental warrior, ready to conquer the world with my swollen face and slightly droopy smile. I even managed to eat something that wasn’t soup (porridge) But oh, the hubris. By midday, that familiar throbbing pain staged a comeback worthy of a Hollywood sequel: Pain II: The Reckoning. I found myself clutching my jaw and questioning all my life decisions, including that time I tried to chew an entire toffee in one go.

Recovery, it turns out, is not a straight line. It’s more of a squiggly doodle drawn by a toddler who had too much sugar. Just when you think you’re on the up, the pain reminds you who’s boss. 

 

As for how I’ve been spending my recovery, I’Ae been buried in books and audiobooks—yes, chronic illness warriors can still read (surprise, surprise!). There’s something comforting about diving into stories while your body fights its own little battles. Escaping into literature has been my saving grace, letting me momentarily forget about the dental drama playing out in my jaw.

And yet, in the midst of all this chaos, I found solace in humor. Because when your face feels like it’s auditioning for the role of "human chipmunk," all you can do is laugh—or cry. But laughing is less messy and doesn’t smudge your mascara. (no make up on this face I can assure you)

So, dear readers, if you’re on your own rollercoaster of recovery, remember: it’s okay to take a detour back to painkillers, put your feet up, and wallow in self-pity for an hour (or two). Just don’t forget to throw in a dose of humor, after all, laughter is the best medicine, right? Well perhaps not, but it earns its spot as the second-best medicine, comfortably seated behind the impressive cocktail of medications I rely on daily. While my prescriptions play their part in keeping things manageable—thank you, modern medicine—there’s something magical about a good belly laugh. It doesn’t come with side effects (unless you count sore cheeks from excessive grinning) and can lighten the heaviest moments. Whether it’s chuckling at the absurdity of dental drama or giggling at a funny audiobook line, laughter is the ultimate mood booster, offering a mental reprieve that even my trusty pills can’t quite replicate.  

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to resume my starring role in Pain III: The Never-Ending Story.