Taking life as it comes.

I’m in the midst of marking time. Something I don’t like to do. Because I’ve had a toothache. With the pain moving around and about. So the dentist is trying to figure out which is the offending tooth. I’m told it may not necessarily be the one that seemed to be the original source of pain. That this can be a very elusive thing. So I’m being treated ‘conservatively.’ With an antibiotic. Which I take is intended to quell the infection. And hopefully, to relieve the pain. Which comes and goes. In varying degrees of severity. But so far, I’ve been stoic. I have yet to take a pain pill. Though there’s a bottle of ‘em perched on my desk. I’ve been tempted. But I’ve resisted. And I’m trying to lead a somewhat normal life. For instance, I bicycled 33 miles yesterday. Did household chores. Went shopping. Had light meals. The one concession I made was going to bed at 9 p.m. And staying in bed until 9 a.m. today. Yes, 12 hours. I slept relatively free of pain. That improves my spirits a little bit. Enough for me to risk a relatively active day again today. I don’t know if that’s the wise thing to do. But I like to push myself. And push my luck. And test my limits. And yes, I want to avoid the pain pills again. Because that tells me the pain is tolerable. I tell my true love, who’s in Brazil at the moment, that I’m an Athenian. Seeking the pleasures of life. And that the last thing I want to be is a stoic Spartan. But for the moment, I’m a contradiction. I’m assuming the role of stoic Spartan until I get through this misery. My dentist is a thorough-going Athenian, I’m assuming. He wants to make sure things are done right. And methodically, if at all possible. So he’s sent me to my primary care doctor. To make sure there’s nothing more than a dental problem. She’s examined me. And passed me. So far. Nothing seems amiss. But on Thursday I go to an eye, ear, nose throat specialist for a more thorough exam, I guess. Meanwhile, I want everything fixed. Once and for all. The right way. And I wish it was the instant way. But it’s looking more and more like I have to mark time. And keep learning patience and acceptance. Taking life as it comes. –Jim Broede