The day I arrived in Portland, the day before the start of the Symposium, I got a toothache that kept getting worse and worse. I was determined to not leave early; like us all, I was so, so excited about coming and meeting and drawing alongside of as many as I could in person. So I took the maximum dosage of Ibuprofen, numbed the tooth with dabs of Oil of Clove, given to me by my Portland friend John who had picked it up in Malaysia, and ran back often to my room to apply hot compresses to my jaw. I heard some complain that there wasn't enough time to eat during the day, there was so much happening. This was no problem for me: I could hardly eat because of the pain. If the toothache wasn't enough, I broke out with a mouth-full of ulcers on my lips and gums. I applied Carmex for some relief to my lips. I was determined to stick it out and get back home to my Iowa dentist. I thought a lot of George Washington and how he suffered terrible tooth pain his whole life and still could be President; certainly I could draw with a toothache for a week!
Once home, the toothache ebbed a bit but persisted. And I realized there was collateral damage: from taking too much Ibuprofen, my kidneys had stopped working properly and my feet and legs blew up like water balloons! And the mouth ulcers turned out to be self-inflicted burns from the Oil of Cloves! Yikes!! When I finally made it to the dentist 4 days ago, he reprimanded me for self-medicating. (Yes, Sir! But he just didn't realize how much I wanted to be @ the Symposium.) The upshot: the tooth was cracked front to back all the way through and an abscess had formed around the roots. Now, I'm minus a molar and finally after 3 weeks pain-free.
The first drawing--Toothache & Takeout--I did in Portland. The second--My Tooth Saga--is a still life I set up today on my Cedar Falls kitchen table. I have more drawings to share from the Symposium that are on my Flickr photostream http://www.flickr.com/photos/49028620@N04/ I will post them soon. I also included a picture of a slice of the Pfirsich Torte (peach torte, an Austrian recipe from Burgenland) that my good friend Marie made for me for my 59th birthday this week. It was a minor miracle: I could hardly eat anything these past weeks because of the pain, but I had no problem getting this down.
OMG, who knew? Glad that you are finally pain free--what a trooper!
ReplyDeleteMarcia, you've taken "suffering for your art" to a new level. What an ordeal. Glad you're back.
ReplyDeleteOh Marcia, I didn't realize how bad it was. You were such a fun participant in spite of your ordeal. I'm so glad that you are finally back to yourself. The sketches really tell a lot.
ReplyDeleteIt really was an interesting modern day dilemma: meet people for the 1st time that you've only known until then as on-line thumbnails and simultaneously come down with a functionality altering malady. Not an emergency, no writhing on the pavement or escaped body fluids, but I was definitely not myself. I also didn't want to make it a bummer for you, my very new, realtime friends who were there to participate in a life-changing event. So, putting a good face on a less than ideal situation, seemed the only way I could stick around and not leave the Symposium early.
ReplyDeleteMarcia, nothing is worse than a bad tooth. You made great sketches despite it; (and i was whining about only being a little cold one morning :-))
ReplyDeletep.s. This is Karen in Edmonton, not Cliff--google account persists in using partner's name.
ReplyDeleteMarcia,
ReplyDeleteYou were in the last session with me taught by Jason.You were so upbeat who would have thought??
Tooth aches are the worst--so glad you are better!
Better luck in Lisbon!
Linda
Glad to hear that now you are pain free, Marcia. And happy birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna, Sue, Peggy, Karen, Linda & Kumi for your caring response--puts an upbeat endnote to my episode of bad luck.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Knew you were having toothaches but you sure soldiered on. Great to meet you and glad you're better. Hope to see you again at a sketching something.
ReplyDeleteIt was so special meeting you and your cousin. I am so sorry that your malady escalated. Please let your friend know that the Pfirsich Torte looks deliciously decadent and a perfect way to enjoy your birthday!
ReplyDeleteLisbeth--It was wonderful to meet you, too. That Indian meal we shared in Portland was like my last supper. I hope there's more sketching together in our future, too.
ReplyDeleteBeth--Yes, that was a special add-on, running into each other at the art store. Oh, that reminds me, I do have photos of you and your sister that I still need to share. I'm usually not a big dessert eater--not even chocolate--but this was truly divine. I'll pass on your comment to my friend Marie.
Marcia,
ReplyDeleteWhile the toothache sounds atrocious, you produced some beautiful artwork while in Portland. These toothache drawings really give an idea of the whole ordeal. There is also something visually appealing about bottles and pills. And the torte is delicious. I never seem to have any problems eating it either. Yum.
I was not sure how to post on your flickr account but I want to say that I loved the way you portrayed the city. Your drawings made me feel the city. I wanted to walk the streets, sit on the benches, and gaze out on the night-time urban constellations (apartment windows). Thank you so much for sharing you work.
It is true. Toothache is often caused by eating too much sweets. It is a bummer for sweet tooths out there.
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I heard some complain that there wasn't enough time to eat during the day, there was so much happening. They could not eat properly because of the pain they feel when they take a bite.
ReplyDeleteRon Receveur
A toothache is not only a pain on the tooth, but also in the entire body. I have experienced the same pain way back and I had to take ibuprofen to ease the pain. The pain was very excruciating and I'm glad that the nurofen worked.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI can imagine the frustration cringing on your seat while having to listen to everyone in the symposium as I happened to have a similar experience on one ironic occasion because it was my very dentist in los angeles who was doing the "dental talk" on the stage. It's always safe to carry a pill around.
ReplyDeleteI am always fearful that the dental drill will hurt more than the toothache, many people choose to hold off on treatment until the bitter end. In addition, some people still associate a toothache with tooth extraction and the thought of losing a tooth is just too much to bear.
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Toothaches are probably one of the most annoying and painful things that can happen to anyone on just an average day. The sensitivity you mention is more likely because of gum tissues like plaque build up causing sensitivity, or even tooth decay leading to the possible exposed nerves and high sensitivity.
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One thing I hate is having toothache. No pain reliever drug works for me. I don't know why I get recurring toothache, I think I really need to consult my marietta ga general dentist to find out what's the root cause.
ReplyDeleteToothache can really be painful that's why it's very important to keep your mouth healthy. Brush and floss regularly to avoid tooth cavity that may lead to tooth ache and other oral problems.
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What my las vegas dentist told me is that if you are to travel, make sure that you have visited your dentist first to avoid incidents like this.
ReplyDeleteWhen I remember the pain when I had dentures in arkansas, it really stings. I think no human can tolerate such pain that toothache brings. Lucky for us, anesthetics are available.
ReplyDeleteToo much eating sweets and not taking good care of your dental health will surely cause you to have toothache or any dental problem. It is also the same with not taking good care of your eyes, you can experience different eye problems that may result you to have laser eye surgery.
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ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that now you are pain free.
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