Three – the number of wisdom teeth I had removed.
One – the number of dry sockets I developed after the surgery.
One – the number of pieces of teeth that were accidentally left in my gums.
Three – the number of tests I have to go through for the heart complications I had during the surgery.
Four – the number of times I went to my oral surgeon’s office in a one week time period.
Three – the number of times I had to have my dry socket packed with medicated gauze.
Two – the number of syringes I had to use to take care of my dry socket.
763 – the amount of cookies I baked for my brother’s wedding in the same one week time period that I got diagnosed with a dry socket.

Last week was a really rough week!

I had my wisdom teeth removed on Friday (the 12th of July), and was still in pain by Tuesday. I went back to my oral surgeon’s office and found out that I had developed a dry socket and still had a piece of tooth in my gums.

A socket is the hole in the bone where a tooth has been removed. After a tooth is pulled, a blood clot forms in the socket to protect the bone and nerves underneath. Sometimes that clot can become dislodged or dissolve a couple of days after the extraction. That leaves the bone and nerve exposed to air, food, fluid, and anything else that enters the mouth. This can lead to infection and severe pain that can last for 5 or 6 days. (source: webmd.com)

When I arrived at the oral surgeon’s on Tuesday, the dental assistant said “Oh, you still have some tooth left in your socket… that’s weird. Let me pull that out.” So she did. Without numbing me.

Then I had to have my dry socket “packed” to prevent my jaw bone and nerves from being exposed to air, food, etc. The dental assistant placed medicated gauze into the socket. The worst part? She used a pointy dental scraper to push the gauze in.

I cried and cried and cried and cried and cried. It hurt so bad. 

I had to have the gauze removed and repacked the following two days. Oh, the pain. After three days of the gauze, I was then given two syringes. One to fill with warm water to flush out my socket after eating, and one filled with dental paste to fill the socket whenever I felt pain.

Last week pretty much consisted of me crying, visiting the oral surgeon’s office, visiting my regular doctor’s office (for the heart problems during the surgery) and baking like crazy.

My brother’s wedding is on Saturday, and I’m baking all of the cookies for the reception. 1,000 cookies to be exact.

Though it seems like baking during the time I had a dry socket (well, I technically still have one…) would be awful, it was actually a nice distraction because I adore baking.

Honestly, last week is a complete blur to me. I’m just getting back into “real life” again. I went to the gym for the first time in almost two weeks yesterday, and I’m (happily) starting to eat crunchy foods, too. Generally, I’m feeling a lot more like “me.”

I’m not 100% yet, as my mouth is sore (I still have a dry socket) and I have some heart issues to sort out, but I’m feeling worlds better.

I really depended on God, my amazing family, friends, and Jimmy last week. And my pets. And watching Sharknado made me laugh… but laughing kinda hurts…

Anyways, I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated as I continue to heal!