When I first launched ‘Coffee & Chiffon‘ back at the beginning of 2020, I knew I’d be sharing so much of my life, travels and adventures- including the less than thrilling times and experiences, too. What I hadn’t expected, however, was how I’d end up writing extensively about the unexpected passing of my best friend, a global pandemic that forever changed life as we knew it, love and loss, and my ongoing journey through self-love and acceptance as I navigated through it all to the best of my ability.
But I’m a firm believer in presenting a true and transparent look at my life. So much of social media has been clouded by influencers and celebrities presenting only the highlights and the positives of their lives- which sets such unrealistic expectations and can cause some serious self-esteem issues for anyone who falls down a doom-scrolling rabbit hole at any given time (it happens to everyone!)
That being said, it seemed only right to talk about a frustrating- but thankfully minor- health issue and recovery I’m going through at the moment.
A couple of weeks ago, I began experiencing mild pain and what felt like pressure in my lower jaw. As someone who is no stranger to dental issues- having gone through old school metal braces, the removal of an impacted molar, a chipped tooth after an accident, etc.,- I knew well enough to take it seriously and scheduled a consultation with a new dental team to have my mouth looked at to figure out what was going on.
While waiting for my scheduled appointment, I’d also noted that I wanted to discuss obtaining a new aligner to straighten my teeth out a little more since they’ve shifted ever so slightly since my twenties. It’s not super noticeable to anyone other than me- so of course it drives me crazy!
I went for an evaluation and x-rays earlier this week and it was determined that one of my wisdom teeth has shifted/rotated. They had grown in years ago, but given that I’d already had an impacted molar removed and that the way they were positioned was a little too close to a nerve for my previous dentist’s comfort- it was decided to just let them grow in with the space that they had and seek further care if they became an issue.
Well, one of them has since become an issue- having now pressed up snugly against one of my back molars. It’s causing pain, discomfort, and swelling- and I’ve made the appointment to have it removed. However, the space between the wisdom tooth and molar has also become inflamed and infected- so additional, pre-operative procedures are now needed to clean and sanitize the area to make sure there are no complications when it comes time to remove the tooth and potentially hinder my recovery.
I’m presently on antibiotics, and while I’m still experiencing discomfort- it’s not nearly as painful as it was before my initial appointment. I’m anxious, and hopeful- but more than anything I’m so, so grateful for the team that has been tasked with taking care of me throughout this process. I had the privilege of meeting them all- from my hygienist to my surgeon to the financial officer who is making sure my insurance providers don’t stress me out when it comes to getting my medical bills paid – and they were all phenomenal. They are so compassionate, reassuring and clear about the processes – and have put my mind at ease when I expressed how scared I was.
This process should only last a couple of weeks, with a final post-operative follow-up scheduled in early July- so I’m looking forward to talking about everything and my recovery once it’s all done and I’m back on my feet and returning to my regularly scheduled Summer plans – but good thoughts and vibes are always welcome! I could use all the luck I can get!
And I’ll be back next week with a recap of an upcoming weekend trip to Vermont, some of my favorite things from this past month, and a recap of June in its entirety before we head into July and even hotter, sunnier days ahead!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 