Numb Still

Well, I am numb, but not the pleasant way from delightfully strong libations, unfortunately.   Instead, I am numb from having SEVEN (yes, seven) shots of Novocaine or whatever he used to numb my jaw area for my dental crown placement.

Why, you may logically ask, did I have SEVEN shots?  Well, the first two..... no noticeable effect after 20 minutes.  After the second two, still no noticeable effect after another 20 minutes.  After the third two, STILL no noticeable effect after another 20 minutes.  Finally, my dentist became grouchy and gave me a single shot in a different place and this one took hold.  The final shot was not in the "best" place that is the normal site for a more precise, localized numbing.... instead it was in a location that causes the whole side of the face and tongue to grow numb and stay numb for a long time.

He apologized for having to do this, but after six shots in the preferred site with no effect, he said there was no other logical route for him to take.  Unfortunately, this scenerio was not surprising.  I have had it happen TWICE before with injections to a more "gentle" location for a localized effect.  It is odd, however, sometimes these same injections do work adequately there, but this is the third time they have failed.  Likely, it seems my neural network associated with my jawline is genetically atypical.  Probably something in my genes guided my neural pathways in different than usual locations, so sometimes the standard shot placement does not allow the anesthetic to successfully diffuse across the nerve (at least in a normal time frame).

After apologizing, the dentist told me I would be numb for the rest of the day because of the large number of shots and also because of the specific placement of the last one.  Oh well, at least it worked finally.

As is my usual practice, I did not smoke my pipe before the dentist appointment.  And, as usual, I was nervous through the procedure.  When I came home afterwords before heading to work, I DID smoke my pipe.  But, it was odd, trying to do so while my face was numb and felt 4 times larger than normal.  

Luckily, I did not have to lecture very much today.  Today was more of a paperwork sort of day at work.  So, overall, it was an ok day.  AND, I did run my FOUR miles before going to the dentist as well.  I was sore as hell where I had fallen, but I pushed myself and did it!  And, I DID remember to watch, eagle-eyed, as I approached each of the three "danger" zones on the sidewalk today.

PipeTobacco