Long Day

We took Ben to the dentist yesterday. He's had two teeth that have been funky since they came in when he was under a year old. His pediatrician suggested I take him to a dentist when he was about a year and a half, and the guy was less than kind and basically blew me off as a crazy worried mom. It was frustrating.

All kids are supposed to go to the dentist before or around 3 years old, but because Ben's had this pre-existing thing, and because he's going to be a big brother soon, we decided to make an appointment for sooner than later.


Chris came with us to the appointment and I was so thankful for that. He sat with Ben in the chair while the dentist took a look.


He decided to do an x-ray, and when he did he saw that the teeth weren't worth keeping in. They were basically just nerves with a little tooth surrounding them, and he thinks that if left in, they might develop infections, which could lead to an abcess. So we'd almost be being negligent if we kept the teeth in. Dr. McKee was nice, though - he specifically told us that this wasn't something that we could have seen or detected, and that it probably is a result of the trach when Ben was intubated when he was first born. The good news is that his adult teeth above these two teeth look okay so far.

So the dentist suggested that we go kill some time while he saw some other patients, and come back in an hour and a half or so. We found a diner nearby and had breakfast. Ben had his favorites, pancakes and bacon, while Chris and I had brave faces on, but secretly lamented the fact that our handsome little guy was now going to have to go without two teeth. Especially bumming us out is the face that his adult teeth probably won't grow in for another 3 to 4 years.

It was a good meal and afterwards we got our bill, but Chris took Ben to the restroom real quick to wash his hands before we left.

When they came out, Ben looked distraught and Chris looked frustrated. Ben wouldn't stop crying and was pretty hysterical. If you know Ben, you know he's a tough cookie - he doesn't cry much even when he's hurt because he's too busy wanting to play more or move on to the next thing. Chris told me that the water in the bathroom was so hot that it pretty much scalded his hands. We quickly paid the check and left.

We went to CVS to get something topical to put on him. They gave us Lanacane and neosporin but it became apparent really quickly that that was not going to do the trick. Ben was still crying, would not stop crying, and was so agitated that he kept moving his hands around, trying to get them comfortable. But if you've ever gotten a sunburn or another burn, you know how badly a burn hurts. Plus I couldn't really reason with him to stay still because he didn't really understand why he was in such pain.

So we made the executive decision to call the dentist and let them know that we were going to have to reschedule the teeth-pulling. And looking at Ben's hands I was able to see that they were already swollen and very red - like the worst sunburn you've ever seen.

So we decided to call the pediatrician, but she was busy and we left a message. Chris was driving and realized we were almost out of gas, so we had to stop for some. While waiting for the tank to fill, we decided to just find the nearest hospital and take him to the ER. We knew he just needed something for the pain, and that would help calm him down. Springfield Hospital was the closest, so we headed there.

They processed him relatively quickly, and while Chris filled out paperwork I went and sat in the bed with Ben and watched pbsKids on TV (thank you, Lord). The nurse came in and showed me how to soothe his pain a bit - we took saline and poured it over gauze pads, and just placed those on his hands, like a cool washcloth.


That, combined with the tv, and the fact that he was exhausted and running on no nap, helped to calm him down. Eventually the doctor came in, prescribed an ointment used to treat burns, and gave him some Tylenol with Codeine. Suffice it to say, Ben had a pretty good nap yesterday.

Chris took this picture of Ben while he was napping. Note the cute little Rocky-style wrapped hands.


He's doing ok today. He doesn't seem to be in much pain at all, but blisters have started forming on his hands, and the burns have discolored his skin a bit. I'm just hoping to keep him out of pain for as long as we can. He's enjoying being doted on, and I think we've watched more than our fill of Elmo and Blue's Clues and Super WHY and everything else.


Meanwhile we still have to reschedule the dentist appointment. Things could be way worse though. As far as frustrating days yesterday was on the top of our list so far as parents (aside from when Ben was first born), but things could be way worse.


Thanks for everyone's well-wishes. I think Ben's a tough cookie but it's great to know so many people out there are thinking of him.