Even with trustworthy patients coming it was still a scary event. Everyone at school was really worked up and stressed out--people couldn't sleep or eat, they were breaking out in cold sores...all sorts of horrible stuff. Kris kept it pretty cool, but he was still really busy trying to get everything ready. And a little stressed too.
(I have to apologize, some of the pictures in this post didn't turn out so good--mostly the ones in the school. I'm very opposed to using flash right now, and sometimes I end up paying the price.)
Scary looking tools huh?
I assisted Kris. Which I was a little nervous about becuase I've only had one assisting experience before. And a lot of people we talked to were like "on no, don't have your spouse assist you. They're just way too invested in your success and so get all upset and worked up." or something like that. We thought, who better to help than the person that cares more than anybody else?
Anyway, we had a patient come in for a deep cleaning friday morning. The procedure went really well and the patient was such a nice guy. He was on time, patient and super cooperative. It took a long time because he had to go in to the graders before the procedure to be approved, then had to go in at the end and get graded. He got to wait in line for quite a while each time. We told him we were going to send him some money or something as a thank you and he refused. It was nice to hear that he felt like the free treatment was enough of a benefit. He was great and Kris did really well, it all went so smooth!
On friday afternoon Kris had to do a couple of root canals on some extracted teeth (yuck!) and I didn't get to help him. He said it went pretty well though.
On saturday morning we got up nice and early and dropped Max off with our friends the Stocks (the same sweet people that watched him when we went on our RI trip).
Then we headed over to the school to meet Kris's patient for the cavity fillings section of the test.
She was a teenage girl from our old ward. I guess the cavities she had were absolutely perfect for the test, "textbook" as they say. Once we got her in and all approved the procedures went nice and smooth. It was lucky that she had both kinds of cavities that Kris needed--a lot of people had to use two different patients which took twice as long. She was really patient too and sweet.
(kris getting an injection or something ready)
It made things a lot easier. Also her cavities were just like Kris expected them to be after he started working on them. A lot of people got in there and started working on their patients and then found out that the cavity was way bigger than expected, or there was something else wrong with the tooth or something unexpected that made things really complicated. We were lucky.
We were also lucky because of the following: 1.our cleaning patient didn't fall asleep in the middle of the procedure and jerk awake, spiking themselves with a sharp instrument and slicing a huge chunk our of her gums (not an allowable result)
2. none of our patients got arrested the night before the test, and so we didn't have to go and bail them out at midnight.
3. we didn't have to pay our patients
4. and more
obviously I heard some horror stories while I was waiting for patients to come out of grading. Yikes.
Kris got done with the cavities in the early afternoon and then we got to leave! All the rest of the poor people that had to use two different patients were still sweating it out. It was nice to be done early. We took our patient over to the crown center and got her some ice cream.
Here she is with Kris.
and here's the ice cream. An excellent reward I'd say.
(this is one of Max's favorite treats, "dirt and worms")
We went back to Stocks to pick up Max and this is what we found:
and this:
super, aren't they?
Notice how the superman shirt rides up so high on Max's little stomach. He's just shaped so much differently than their kids, it's really funny. They're all so slight and athletic. Not so much us in our family. The little boy on the left is six. He's only got like an inch on Max!
Anyway, he had a good time.
So we were done! And we feel good about it! And the assisting all went well for me (at least I think it did, I should probably check with Kris). I had no doubt in my mind that Kris was just going to pull it off and do a great job and that's what he did.
And I'm glad all those people telling us I shouldn't assist were wrong. It was great to be there helping him at such an important time.
And we're so glad it's over! The results don't come out for about four weeks. Now Kris just has a few requirements left to finish up. They're important, but he's pretty far along with them so hopefully he can get them done without too much trouble and stress. We'll keep you posted!
13 comments:
A big thanks to those who prayed for us. We definitely got some "special" help. Ginna did a pretty good job describing it, but I think that I can understand why everyone advised me not to use my wife as an assistant. (keep in mind, I would use her again if I had to do it over) The stress level of the clinic during boards is so thick you can barely breathe. We prepare for years and without a passing score on the board exam you can't get a job. (Typical situation: you're stressed out about completing graduation requirements, you're $200k in debt, you have a job and a move lined up, but you can't start working until you have a license. Did I mention the test costs $1500?)
The exam is all about following rules exactly. There was maze of paperwork and protocols, not to mention the stress of needing a patient to show up.
Ginna was great but she was feeling the pressure of the exam. I looked up at her during the first procedure and she looked like she was going to barf on us. She recovered without leaving or making a mess and things went fine. At the end of the weekend, she was so exhausted. I was tired too, but she must have said a thousand times how tired she was. Managing her school and work has made Ginna pretty tough--I think somebody not accustomed to working under such pressure could easily buckle during the board exam.
I felt fine while I was working, but the times when Ginna had the patient at the grading station seemed to last forever. The other candidates would gather at the equipment carts and consult one with another about the problems they were having.
The whole thing--preparation and 3 day exam--was probably the most stressful and difficult thing I've ever had to do. We'll see if my TMJ ever recovers. And special thanks to Ginna for being a great teammate. She did a perfect job of managing the paperwork and letting me focus on the dentistry.
Kris we are so glad to hear you made it through and that everything went well even though very stressful. Sounds like you and Ginna both did a great job. I am so glad all the patients showed up and were good patients for you, The Lord was watching out for you I think. Congratulations on getting past this and now all down hill now right? Can`t wait to see you next weekend. Love you all. I loved the pictures of Kris and the ones of Max were so cute. What a great superhero he makes even though his shirt was a bit small. Who cares when you are so cute. Thanks Ginna for taking such good care of your boys and ours.
Gin - somehow I missed the fact that you were doing all of this. I mean, I know you told me, but I hadn't realized what an intense thing it was going to be. I am so proud that you followed the family tradition of dental assisting, and that you were strong - I know how it can be, and I didn't pitch on my face after a full day, no food and plenty of blood and guts, either. So we are a proud pair.
I am so relieved that this part of things is over. After these last many years of high stress, you should feel like birds about to fly out of the window. I am so proud of you. That's an easy phrase to write, and an easy one to blow off - but please understand the depth of respect, relief and joy in bragging rights that it should convey.
You two are marvelous. And Kathy and I are lucky and blessed mothers. We both would do anything to honor you. Now, both of you need to try to get at least a little rest. Murphy and I are about to take out the trash, and then head to bed. Another one of the last nights - the good and pleasant last nights to spend with another of my best friends and most enjoyable companions.
If I were rich, I'd build a big house and give everybody their own wing and never charge anybody any rent. But none of you would live there anyway - unless we could line up as a Pixar subcontractor and find a dentist practice that would pay you guys riches beyond the dreams of avarice.
love
All I can say is "Whew!"
congrats guys! I had no idea you already went to crown center AND had ice cream on Saturday. I guess you can never get enough ice cream...
It sounds so stressful! I can't imagine... Congrats on having it done, and good luck with the rest of it!
Congratulations. I remember my brother doing these boards. Very stressful.
I can't belive all that you guys have done these last few years. I'm amazed that you've been able to handle it all, and very impressed. Congrats on getting the big tests done. I can't believe that you're practically a real dentist now. That seems so weird. Way to go both of you! We're very proud of both of you and excited for you to be almost done and on to the next big thing. And congrats to Max for hanging in there while his mom and dad are so busy.
Saw you on flickr-ventured over to your blog. Love your pictures. You have managed to capture a time in your life that you will never forget.
congratulations! And I must say, that it the cutest picture of the two of you. Cute couple, cute family!
Wow! That was stressful just reading about it. I can't imagine living it. But it always makes you feel better when it's over, like you have made it through something really tough togI hope it gets a little easier!
that was supposed to say something really tought together.
WOW! Talk about stress! I'm glad it is over and Ginna, way to go on being your hubby's assistant and not listening to what others had to say.
LUV the costumes. That little Ninja turtle? That would have been me. Oh yaaaa....
Congrats! I love how you have pictures to go along with the "stressful" story. It must be a relief to have this part of school done...can't wait for your big move east!
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