Easy to put on a brave front.

I had a toothache for two weeks. Maybe three. I lost track of time. It was not pleasant. The pain/discomfort would come and go with too much regularity. My dentist sent me to an endodonist, a specialist in root canals. But he wasn’t sure which tooth was the culprit. Because dental pain can be sort of elusive. The tooth that seems to be hurting may not really be hurting. Because of intricate dental nerve system miscommunication to the brain. That’s new knowledge for me. Anyway, the endodonist played it conservatively. To see what else might happen. So we can be sure we have the right tooth. Better than making a mistake. And doing an unnecessary root canal. So I went on an antibiotic. While we played the waiting game. I had a pain pill prescription. If needed. For the most part, I put up with the pain. Stoically. And I let my friends and acquaintances know it. That I’m a brave guy. No sissy me. But to tell the truth, I wanted relief. Pronto. Yesterday. Or better yet, last week. But finally, at 8 this morning. I went in for the root canal. On tooth number 3. Dentists have an intricate numbering system. Other dentists will know what tooth that is. Anyway, I’m feeling better. But they’ve given me a bottle of pain pills. Just in case. But so far, so very good. It's easy to put on a brave front. When the pain is pretty much gone. –Jim Broede