Thursday Thirteen~ Dental nightmare

Thirteen things that happened at my routine cleaning at the dentist today. Or 13 reasons I am going to be drunk next time I go to the dentist!
I thought I was going to the dentist to get my teeth cleaned because I couldn't get it finished after the x-rays last time and the hygienist made it sound like that would be my next appointment. I am a complete puddle of mush when it comes to going to the dentist. I am frightened silly, and I won't go until its so painful that its better to risk the dentist than live with the pain. I was traumatized by a military dentist years ago.
1. I sit down in the chair and the hygienist says "Ok, we're going to get those cavities on the bottom left filled today." I say "Um, oh no we are not!" And we sort of go back and forth on what I expected and what they actually scheduled. I most definitely would have cancelled if I had known!
2. They bring me into the financing office because I am crying and making a scene and because I say there is no way I can afford it this month. They talk me into doing it now and paying later since I'm already here. I'm pretty much crying uncontrollably, but they talk me into one tooth.
3. Then they come back in and tell me they may as well do the other two since I will be numb already. This brings it up from the $50 tops they were saying, and I do NOT want to rack up debt. (I have three kids going to the orthodontist already this month!)
4. Ok, fine, I sit in the chair, all the while the tears won't stop. But we numb me up. This is at 2:20pm. Appt. was for 2pm.
5. After I am numb they get started on the first cavity, which is kind of deep. It hurts as they are working on it, but not bad enough that I want to get another shot.
6. They start on the next tooth's cavity. Oh boy, this one hurts, I gotta say something. Ok, more Novocaine and waiting for it to work. More crying.
7. They get back to work. I still feel it, but I'm not going to say anything! I'm gripping the chair so tight that I am left shaking.
8. They put a weird contraption in my mouth which holds two long, rolled up pieces of gauze in my mouth on either side of my teeth. I have a BAD gag reflex, so this was FUN. And it clamps in there. Oh, the shaking continues from being so tense all over waiting for the agonizing pain to start like the military dentist did to me.
9. They put some sort of metal ring around my tooth, it feels like that, anyways. It bends, they have to do it two more times.
10. They fill the cavities, and they rise the stuff out because my gums won't stop bleeding. My gums don't normally bleed, so I have NO idea what they did to cause that. But they spent 10 minutes putting stuff in my gums to get it to stop so they could finally put the fillings in both teeth.
11. Then they go to extract a bad tooth. It hurts, but again, its gotta be over soon, and I just want to leave. They start cutting and pulling, and piece by piece it falls apart. I'm starting to cry again at this point. They can't get the roots out. I have to go to an oral surgeon NOW, and its 3:45pm.
12. I run out to the oral surgeon who agreed to fit me in at the end of the day on a moments notice. And as I wait there, hoping that they take my crappy MetLife insurance that almost nobody takes, they tell me I have to pay right then or they won't do it. I can't do it today, I expected a free cleaning, not to spend a month's paycheck! So, finally they agree to a postdated a check, and they do take our insurance.
13. The surgeon asks if I am still numb and I say I think so, but she thinks she should give me some more. I'm thinking she wants $$$. She gives me the shot and oh man does it HURT!!! I'm so glad she did that! That makes 3 numbings in less than 2 hours. And when she does to get the roots out she tells me to close my eyes before she brings out the tool she is going to use. Like I'm not crying again???? And it HURT!!! But it was over in a minute. And then they had to lay the bed back and let me get over the crying and shaking and light headedness before they let me up.
I was shaking so bad I could barely sign the check. And I was pretty scared to drive. And I definitely was thinking about getting drunk when I got out of there! I don't drink hardly ever, but I'm pretty sure I will be drinking before going in again!