3/17/11

Laughing gas = not so funny!


Here is a picture of our sweet little girl at her "first" dental work appointment. She has been to the dentist before for cleanings and check ups and did fantastic, but this was her first filling.
Brice and I tried to get her all geared up and ready for days. We told her how she would get to watch a movie and wear a funny little mask with "laughing gas".
"It will be so cool and funny!" we said (lying to our child!)
She couldn't wait to go and jumped into the chair with out any problems.
Laughing gas -on, & movie started.
Then came the part I was dreading. The numbing shots! Duh duh duh!
I quickly sat by her side and grabbed onto her little hands as the doctor told her she would feel a little sting. ( I had warned him ahead of time not to use the word SHOT.)

Side story-- A few months ago, I took Hannah to the pediatricians office for a check up and shots. Everything went well until it was time for the shots. The nurse asked me to hold Hannah's hands, which I did, but as soon as that needle went into her little leg Hannah's hands were free from mine and grabbing the needle, bending it a good 45 degree's which resulted in a huge scrape up her thigh and fluid everywhere. You can also insert some mind blowing screaming. We were all in shock! I just kept telling the nurse how sorry I was, and that I never knew she could be that strong, while trying to calm myself and my child. On the ride home between tears Hannah just kept saying, " I never want another shot ever again!"

Back to the present story--
The shots were started , and so did the tears. However, she didn't try to grab anything and didn't scream. The shot's were all done.
I turned to the Dentist and said."That went better than I thought it would. Yeah!"
"Really" he said " What were you expecting?"
That's when what I was expecting happened- Kicking, crying , and screaming! Hannah grabbing at her mask and screaming, "I WANT TO GO HOME!"
I held her down and tried to talk to her as soothing as I could. The doctor tried to talk to her as well and then left the room so that her mouth could numb.
I was able to get her to calm down and told her the "bad part" was all over. (Another lie)
I sat hoping that the laughing gas would take over. We still had a small cavity to fill as well as a large cavity and cap on her molar to do.
The Dentist started on her small cavity and it looked like we were in the clear when all of the sudden she started loosing it again. This time she put more effort into it. I had to grab her arms and legs again, while the nurse held her head still and the Dentist fixed the cavity faster then I could ever imagine was possible. He tried to talk to her again, I tried to talk to her, but she was not having any of it!!
" I WANT TO GO HOME NOW!" is all she kept saying over and over.
"She just went from 0 - 60 in a second. I don't even know what happened that time." He said
Hannah now has a new appointment in a few weeks, to finish what he couldn't today. This time I will be paying an extra $200. to the anesthesiologist so that she will be sleeping.
Did I happen to mention, that it's the same day that Ben gets to have his cavities filled? And yes, Ben will be sleeping as well! Good bye tax return!
Hannah did tell me this evening that next time she is going to be really brave and still.

"Laughing gas" I'm disappointed in you. And isn't St. Patrick's Day was supposed to be Lucky?!

3 comments:

Julene Kendell said...

Sorry, Hannah and Mommy. It was traumatic for both of you. Glad it is over, but not looking forward to the next round, asleep or not. Big hugs and kisses from Grandma and Grandpa Kendell

Anonymous said...

Seriously... so dang funny! Good luck with her next appt. Fingers crossed. But, who am I kidding, I will not be holding my breath for you.

Eddie Storms said...

Aww, too bad the laughing gas didn't go too well for her. It's pretty hard when people, both children and adults, have a hard time going to the dentist. Let's hope that the next visit would be much easier for both children!

-Eddie Storms