Well, as is the big news for the day, I got my wisdom teeth removed! I wasn't too worried about it because I tend to heal very fast and not be too adversely affected by injuries, as many of my friends can attest to, so I didn't really worry. I did get a little un-easy when it came close to time to get them removed, but that is normal I feel like, and it seems that people kind of react randomly to getting them removed, and it can range all the way from healing fast with little to no side effects to week(s) of pain and swelling. My final result so far: Good. Minimal swelling, bleeding stopped pretty quickly, it has been easy to rest but I still have had energy and a clear mind (I finally won settlers of Qatan!) and all in all, I feel good. The pain medication may be slowing my mind a little, but it isn't the feeling where you feel slowed, I just feel really peaceful.
Well, I prepared by getting almost all of my homework done earlier in the week, so now I am free for the whole weekend and I get to enjoy our beautiful weather! Also, I am going to the festival of colors and to one of my dear friends' wedding receptions so I am really happy :)
Okay, by far the best part of this all, above the care-free stress-free weekend and pain meds, my friends and family. I felt so much support, and I really immensely appreciated that. When I was going in immediately before they hooked me up to all of the machines to measure your vitals and put you out, I texted a few friends and my parents, and my dearest twin sister Haley and my wonderful friend Hannah both replied with very comforting and supportive messages that really helped me be put at ease. I said a few prayers myself, and was a little nervous, but knew I was just taking another step towards my mission, and that since that was what it was, that the Lord wanted me to do it. So now there are no more obstacles in my way. My teeth are out, all of the medical and dental worked out despite my lack of really good insurance (though the BYU medical was really nice), and my papers are in. So excited!
Anyways, so I sat and just thought about all the good things in my life, and felt very at peace. There are all kinds of weird risks associated with having you wisdom teeth removed, but I felt good. After they hooked me up to all the machines to read my vital signs, I have about 10 or 15 minutes alone and it was really fun to move my arms or hold really still to watch my heart rate and blood oxygen levels change. It was also nice because I got some good real time readings of my resting heart rate and blood pressure and oxygen levels, and they were all good. When I was really calm I could get the EKG down to 50-55 bpm, and when I was a little more active it would be around 60 so that was fun to see, and also see the physiological effect of thinking different things. For instance, thinking of a lie and seeing my heart rate increase, or thinking of a prayer or of love and watching it calm back down.
When the doctors finally came in I felt really calm and at peace, and the needle they used for the IV wasn't even as big as a blood donation needle so it didn't hurt bad. I watched them put in the sedative, and they told me I'd get very sleepy. I wanted to remember every detail of the experience, so I was analyzing the effects of the sedative on my body and mind as it kicked in, and it was very interesting. There was no immediate effect, but then I started to feel a sort of weight on my mind and felt my mind slow, and then my vision started to blur a tad in accordance with the slowing of my mind, and then the mental pressure felt pretty heavy and it my vision was really blurred, and then I was asleep. It was nice.
I woke up with gauze in my mouth talking to Mitch, and I proceeded to get my camera and film myself verbally explaining what I knew about the things around me, and going through my thought processes out loud so I would be able to watch later and see if I was able to stay cognizant and coherent when under the effect of the sedative. I sounded really funny from the gauze and numb lips, but my thoughts were pretty organized. My mind felt dulled, but I still thought straight, easier than if I hadn't had sleep, but noticeably slowed.
When we got home, Mitch helped me up the stairs and into bed, where I finished my commentary to my camera, and after receiving instruction from Mitch on how to apply the gauze properly, I texted back a few people and took a very nice nap. One of my favorite ever actually. My bed was perfectly warm and soft, and I was just the right balance of tired to drift off very comfortably. I woke up and talked to some friends on the phone, as well as texting more, and just enjoyed the nice temperature of the air and the sunshine coming onto my bed through the window. When I had to change my gauze and I was feeling lonely, Marissa was really nice and helped and kept me really good company. I really appreciated having Mitch and Marissa there, I would have been sad if I had kept waking up alone.
Later I woke up again, and this time Amanda, Roland, and Jared came and gave Marissa leave. I ate some of my favorite, delicious strawberry yogurt, which is super nice because it cant get stuck in your wounds, and they talked with me and we played Settlers of Qatan, which I absolutely love playing. It was an enjoyable game, and it was just so super nice to have people with me. I feel like I don't express enough how much I really do deeply love and care about my friends. Each of them mean so much to me, and I would be a very sad, lonely person without them. Hannah and my Twin were also texting me, and it was really comforting to have so much support from people I care so much about. Honestly, one of the best days of my life :) To just be surrounded by people who really cared, and being able to have fun with them and not have to dwell alone.
While we were playing Settlers of Qatan, Hannah and Chella stopped by and it totally made my night yet again to see them. I discovered that if I smiled it put to much pressure on my stitches so I shouldn't, but it was hard not to look at any of my friends and not smile. Especially Hannah and Chella, after all the support I had received to have yet more, it made me feel like such a worthwhile human being. And Hannah had even texted me earlier before I went in asking when I'd be out and what my favorite ice-cream was, and sure enough she brought me some. Seriously, at that moment something even that simple combined with a good hug and a smile made me feel like one of the luckiest people alive, to receive so much love and support. I seriously love you guys all so much!
After that, Hannah and Chella had to go, and Roland, Jared, Amanda, and I finished Settlers of Qatan and went to Wendy's and got frosties, which were nice because it felt good in my mouth, and then afterward we just came back to University Villa and sat in her truck talking with another one of our friends, Matthew Beesley, who is one cool dude. Really and truly, I know some of the best people, and I feel so lucky!
Eventually I ran back up to my apartment and got a light blanket, and then we moved to the bed of the truck (because the weather was so perfect!) and Cameron, another really cool dude, joined us, so the six of us just talked and had a good time enjoying each other's company and the cool evening air. It got late so we eventually said goodbye, and I ended up typing here because I don't want to forget anything! It brings true and encompassing peace in my life to know I am right with the Lord and to be doing what He wants me to do, and to have been surrounded with so many people who I have come to know and love so much. And my dear family has been here for me too through it all, and they give me so much I could never ask for. Really, I am happy with life. I feel I have been highly favored of the Lord, and things aren't all peachy, but just being surrounded on all sides by people I know and love and trust has helped me immensely be who I am. I could not have asked for more. The weekend is still young, I did good at school today, and I am doing more with friends tomorrow and teaching a lesson on Sunday which should be so wonderful, I am just so happy. In every way. Filled with peace, love, and pure, light happiness. I wish it was easy to be this focused and clear and unconcerned by all the meaningless stresses of the world everyday. So I thought I should write, to not forget and to really kind of do that gift justice.
Well, as closing words for the evening, I want you all to know, especially my family and my friends who have been here for me today, that I love you so much and appreciate and care about you so much that it is impossible to put to words. You are wonderful, don't let life get you down. I will do everything in my power to help strengthen you, to hold you up, and to help you know you aren't alone. It is the least I can do. You guys mean the world to me, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Stay close to the Lord, he will take care of you. And stay close to me, and I will take care of you too, and try to help you feel the same happiness, love, and peace that I do. I love you all so much! Sleep well :)
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