Twenty years ago the title of this post would have been “The Dreaded Dentist,”  but I’ve been working with a woman the past 23 years who has helped me get over some of the fear I have of dental work.  My periodontist has asked for the complete set of x-rays so that he can determine if I have had any bone loss.  I decided to ask the dentist to do the x-rays because we have worked on techniques to put me at ease that the periodontist doesn’t do.

I arrived at the office at 6:40, twenty minutes early.  I wasn’t sure how bad rush hour traffic would be, and whether I might have to wait on commuter trains.  The dentist arrived about five minutes to seven, and we got started on time.  She had to take EIGHTEEN x-rays.  The new office assistant was developing them as they were taken.  Unfortunately, she didn’t realize that the films had to be put through the machine in a carrier.  So, the machine ate them. (sigh)  I had to take four or five of them a second time, but they were the ones in the front, which bother me the least.

I waited for half an hour for the doc to be able to read all the x-rays.  That was almost worse than actively taking the  x-rays, but finally I was free to go home.

There was a message on my answering machine.  Doc was looking at the films and wants to take three of them again.  She feels the camera angle can be improved to show there isn’t anything bad going on.  (sigh)  I’ll have to go back.

I want to record that I behaved myself in the dentist’s office today.  I was pleasant, and easy to work with.  But, I really would like to get things like this over with in one try.

It’s been a sad week at Chez Buffy.  My second sister lost her significant other a week ago, and his wake was held Tuesday, his funeral was Wednesday.  My oldest sister, My-Sister-The-Nurse is visiting her daughter in England, and as the matriarch of the family, she would normally be the one of us to organize the family to support our sister.   Since she has taken a friend with her, there was no question of her returning.   Dear Husband and I stepped up to be sure there was a family presence.  I wish more of us had been able to attend.   My sister is so very frail.  I worry for her.