"Don't cry. I am here with you and I am going to make sure that you don't have any pain. Don't worry, you are not alone."
His words instantly defeated my feeble attempt at keeping the hot sting of my eyes at bay. While I self-consciously wiped the tears from my face I was grossly aware that he had struck a nerve for the second time that morning.
Two days ago, during the jeep ride back towards Leh, I was overcome with mortification when part of my molar decided to fall off. (I was just sitting there...minding my own business...) Hours later another small piece of the same tooth decided to jump ship. Admittedly, this was initially quite terrifying especially as less than one week ago I had a conversation with J about my negative views of having dental treatment whilst in India. On return to SECMOL the anxiety became but a distant memory with others promising their contacts in Delhi and the assurance that I'll just need superficial treatment. The ultimate blanket of security transpired when a few of the students told me I would resemble their grandmothers with the onset of missing teeth. Interesting how the feeling of alarm desists when others are taking the Mickey...
Under the instruction of those with dental wisdom, I eventually made my way to Leh Hospital to meet with the on-call dentist. He or she would tell me what needed to be done and I would make arrangements for all to be taken care of in Delhi. That was the plan in any case. After some prodding, the kindly man informed me that I may require a root canal, but that an X-Ray would determine the next course of action. This would be simple enough if the X-Ray mechanism was in working order, but I was advised that I should come back in a couple of days by which time it should be fixed. As feelings of distress mounted, I found myself sitting in a dazed state in the dentist's room. Root canal??? I was only half cognizant of what this entailed and what knowledge I did hold wasn't at all pretty.
My thoughts spiraled out of control with visions of pain, mounting costs, and of course an awareness that I wasn't within my Western comfort zone. It was at this point that Dr. Palden interrupted my panicked inner monologue with his words of reassurance. Despite my ocular reaction, I was greatly comforted by his patience and sympathy. However, I was surprised that in a moment of uncertainty I almost immediately was transported to a place where I craved the comfort of my mother and a tokenistic "you're going to be fine". For a fleeting second, I felt alone for the first time and he aptly highlighted this insecurity. Following an adequate X-Ray, we will see what takes place, but I am adamant that this has all occurred for a reason other than my penchant for sweets. Perhaps I just needed someone to hit a sore spot.
His words instantly defeated my feeble attempt at keeping the hot sting of my eyes at bay. While I self-consciously wiped the tears from my face I was grossly aware that he had struck a nerve for the second time that morning.
* * *
Two days ago, during the jeep ride back towards Leh, I was overcome with mortification when part of my molar decided to fall off. (I was just sitting there...minding my own business...) Hours later another small piece of the same tooth decided to jump ship. Admittedly, this was initially quite terrifying especially as less than one week ago I had a conversation with J about my negative views of having dental treatment whilst in India. On return to SECMOL the anxiety became but a distant memory with others promising their contacts in Delhi and the assurance that I'll just need superficial treatment. The ultimate blanket of security transpired when a few of the students told me I would resemble their grandmothers with the onset of missing teeth. Interesting how the feeling of alarm desists when others are taking the Mickey...
Under the instruction of those with dental wisdom, I eventually made my way to Leh Hospital to meet with the on-call dentist. He or she would tell me what needed to be done and I would make arrangements for all to be taken care of in Delhi. That was the plan in any case. After some prodding, the kindly man informed me that I may require a root canal, but that an X-Ray would determine the next course of action. This would be simple enough if the X-Ray mechanism was in working order, but I was advised that I should come back in a couple of days by which time it should be fixed. As feelings of distress mounted, I found myself sitting in a dazed state in the dentist's room. Root canal??? I was only half cognizant of what this entailed and what knowledge I did hold wasn't at all pretty.
My thoughts spiraled out of control with visions of pain, mounting costs, and of course an awareness that I wasn't within my Western comfort zone. It was at this point that Dr. Palden interrupted my panicked inner monologue with his words of reassurance. Despite my ocular reaction, I was greatly comforted by his patience and sympathy. However, I was surprised that in a moment of uncertainty I almost immediately was transported to a place where I craved the comfort of my mother and a tokenistic "you're going to be fine". For a fleeting second, I felt alone for the first time and he aptly highlighted this insecurity. Following an adequate X-Ray, we will see what takes place, but I am adamant that this has all occurred for a reason other than my penchant for sweets. Perhaps I just needed someone to hit a sore spot.
Oh my dear. I hope we can connect very soon.
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