First World Pains

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This past week has been one of those weeks. You know what I'm talking about? That week that comes once a year, or maybe more if you're unlucky, to remind you that everything in life isn't always just rainbows and butterflies.

Last Saturday I had dental skin graft surgery on my lower teeth to correct receding gums. I'm not going into detail, because it's really gross and just thinking about it makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little bit. (Warning: Don't look at a video of this surgery on YouTube. For real!) I had no idea that it was going to be this painful, and that it would take away from me the things that I love doing most in the world; eating, talking, eating and laughing. Yes, it's Thursday, I'm practically a mute with a Kristen Stewart facial expression, and I'm still having jello for lunch and soup for dinner. 

This has been a really lousy week. Because of the pain, I can't exercise, do housework or anything productive for that matter. Yesterday I watched the hilarious movie, Bridesmaids, and I couldn't even laugh. As I was beginning to get depressed about being at home, doing nothing and being in so much pain, I decided to just take a shower and go to bed early. But no. Our apartment's water heater decided that it didn't want to work and I had to take a shower in cold water. Perfect! I tried crying a little, but that hurt, too. I just couldn't catch a break! I went to bed feeling very sorry for myself.

Today, as I'm sitting here, contently, with a belly full of soup, I can look back at yesterday and laugh at myself. (Not out loud though, it still hurts too much, but in my head.) Yes, it's terrible that I'm feeling so horrible and that I'm in so much pain that I can't eat or talk properly, but damn, I'm freakin' lucky that I'm able to afford this surgery and that I had it done now, not when I'm 43 with periodontal disease or missing teeth because of exposed gums. And, boo woo, Liesl. Yes, your water heater didn't heat up, but damn girl, did you sleep tight in your comfy warm bed, next to your wonderful man, in your lovely apartment in the city last night.

It's actually scary how quickly you can lose sight of all the good things in your life and just focus on the bad things. I'm such a fortunate person and I actually feel ashamed for feeling so sorry for myself, when there are people out there who are dealing with actual problems. 

But man, am I looking forward to next week though! By that time I'll probably be able to eat something substantial, go back to work and laugh out loud at myself, with my mouth wide open, for being so pitiful this week. But I guess sometimes you need that one crappy week out of the year to fully appreciate the other 51 weeks that are perfectly wonderful, and are indeed filled with rainbows and butterflies.