Jacob BembryColumnist
It’s Wednesday afternoon, a little after 2 p.m. It has been a long time since I remember being this exhausted.
The reason for my exhaustion is that I took my sister, Abbie, to the dentist Tuesday night in Gainesville. I thought that it would be a routine examination and then decide where to go from there. I knew that Abbie needed her teeth extracted and I thought that she would be put under anesthesia when they did it. She would be in dreamland and wouldn’t know what had happened until it was over.
Instead, the dentist decided to start extracting her teeth. Abbie was placed in feet straps and hand straps and a number of dental assistants also had to hold her head and her shoulders down. At one point, she flexed the muscle in her arm and broke one of the straps. I had told them how strong she is. I don’t know if they believed it until they saw that.
A local anesthetic was used (I believe Novocain) and the dentist began pulling her teeth. Abbie struggled against the pressure. The dentist said that he had given her plenty of anesthetic so she wasn’t feeling pain, but she was feeling pressure.
As I watched, my heart was breaking because I didn’t like to see Abbie struggle the way she was doing or be subjected to any pain or pressure. At the same time, I was relieved because I knew that she would not have to worry about any toothaches again and she has suffered with them for years.
My family and I were down there with her for hours Tuesday evening and when we all went home, it was one long trip back.
I believe that Abbie will get over any anger that she may feel towards me at this time when she realizes that what was done was in her best interest. For years, we had been trying to find someone who could help. Thanks to Zane Gaston, a dental assistant at the health department, we found out about the after hours clinic at Tachachale in Gainesville.
God has given me a tough and strong little sister, who will celebrate her 42nd birthday this Tuesday, Aug. 9. If you see Abbie, make sure you tell her “Happy birthday.” I am sure that it will make her happy.
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