We had one of our most traumatic experiences and it was Rayne’s first, real dental appointment. Again, this falls under the category that no one prepared me for. Nothing I read reminded me that Rayne won’t sit for dental work, even an x-ray. So, when we walked into the hospital for our first dental “surgery”, I wasn’t prepared.
Let’s backtrack to the issues we’ve had with Rayne’s teeth. First off, we don’t get to truly brush her teeth as we should, she likes to just chew on her toothbrushes, but it’s better than nothing. Then there was the grinding and biting, between the two she had ground her front teeth to nubs. However, it never crossed my mind how we were going to fix it.
We got the word that they had to put her out completely to complete everything, including the X-rays and my heart dropped. The idea of her being put out scared me!
The day of, both her dads were working and I decided it wasn’t a big deal. Decided that I could handle it myself. This was my biggest mistake! Either of them would have taken off work, but I didn’t figure it would have been such a big issue.
We were told to get to the surgery center at 9:45 am, I brought her iPad partially charged and was ready and prepared… or so I thought.
They took us up to the room very quickly and told me to change her into these adorable scrubs. Well, that was great for about 20 minutes then she wanted to strip down to her diaper. Then the wait began. After over 2 hours, sitting in a small room with not much to do, Rayne was over it within the hour. Her iPad died and she was OVER IT.
She kept trying to put her clothes and coat on to show me she wanted to leave, and she knew Mama was tense. It was the longest wait ever.
Finally, they said it was time and she was ANGRY. So we tried to distract her by putting her in a wagon, but that was a no-go. So they had me gown up to take her back to the OR.
I got back her back there and this is where the trauma began.
The staff asked me to put her on the table when they were ready, she was confused but I kept telling her it was okay. Then she saw the gas mask coming at her and flipped out. 3 other nurses and I pinned my daughter down, her big blue eyes looking at me wondering why I was letting this happen. She fought and fought, then went limp.
They led me out of the room sobbing as I watched them take off her coat, limp as a wet doll. My heart was shattered and I was going to be the bad guy when she woke up.
All I asked was that they let me be there when she woke up, she needed Mommy, a familiar face when she woke up from this scary event. They said it wouldn’t be a problem
I sat down back in the small room, trying to keep myself busy on my laptop. Before I knew it, the doctor came in to tell me they had to cap two teeth and pulled the two front teeth, but nothing more. I was relieved and knew they’d be coming to get me soon, to hold my baby as she came out of the anesthesia.
Then I waited some more.
I listened as I started to hear nurses down the hall “Oh no, go apologize to the mom”, “I thought someone else would take her.” I realized they let my baby wake up to unfamiliar faces after the most traumatic thing she’s gone through. Sure enough, they came to explain they were about to bring her out and that no one had gotten me back there.
Then I heard the screams.
They brought her to me screaming, blood all over her mouth, terrified of what she had just gone through. They explained she wanted to be held the minute she woke up but she was still angry. She wouldn’t accept ice cream, she wouldn’t stop screaming, she wouldn’t stop picking at her raw gums that were numb. I knew I needed back up at that moment and no one was there.
The staff asked immediately if we should just let her go home and I said yes, she wasn’t going to calm down here anymore. They flew through the discharge instructions and we left as quickly as we could.
I drove the whole way home, holding her hands so she couldn’t continue to pick at her raw mouth. I was crying, she was crying, and it was a mess.
Finally, I got her home, and she stopped crying within an hour and relaxed. The Tylenol kicked in and she began to act like her normal self. She began rubbing her ChuBuddy over her gums and wanted food. I was so relieved once the craze of the anesthesia wore off and I had my baby back to normal with her gummy little smile.
Relieved that we only have to do this once every 5 years.
So here are my top 3 tips if you have to face the same thing:
1. BRING BACKUP: Bring someone with you, do not do this on your own if you have to. From the horrible 2+ hour wait to driving home, I needed someone there. I needed someone to drive while I comforted her in the backseat. Get someone to go with you.
2. Bring Fun & Comforting Things for the Wait: Rayne’s iPad wasn’t charged enough, I hadn’t brought enough for her to do. It lead to a horrible situation while we waited. Pack plenty for them to play with and comfort items for them to use to soothe themselves while they are in the new sterile environment of the hospital.
3. Prepare for the Emotional Toll: I wasn’t prepared for the toll it was going to take watching her go unconscious, for the toll waiting in a small room with a toddler would take.
I hope this post reaches the right mom or dad that may be facing something similar coming up. I wasn’t prepared for the worst, so hopefully, you can be!
Much Love,
M
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