Initially what seemed a pain that would subside, my toothache reached inexorable proportions. Thankfully, the pain that was, was only when I ate. Solution? I stopped eating. :)
The filling that I'd gotten done in Bangalore the last time, came off, and the crown I'd on one of my teeth came off barely after a week after it was fixed. Yes, it was God's way of telling that I am getting old, maybe. ;)
Finding no other way out of this, after finding out that its really a pain, much greater than my toothache to wait for dentists and get my teeth checked here in the US, I realised after much dilly-dallying that the best option was to fly back and get it done. The dentist whom I saw here, said that I'd gone to see him at the apt moment. Any later, the cavity, void of its filling now, could complicate further, requiring a root canal treatment. But, he thought it was wise to postpone the filling by a week. I was required to go and check with him if they did fillings, the next week. The exact day when I landed in India.
I'd heard the treatment in US was expensive. What I'd not heard was that the treatment and the way you are looked at, is pathetic. Without much option, I booked my flight tickets. Thankfully, the permissions in the department was given. The international office worked at a painfully slow pace, and I literally sat down on their necks to get my I-20 back, with a travel endorsement. Not to mention the surprise looks on each and every person's face and the dubious looks. As if I were mad to fly back 6000 miles, just for fun, in the middle of the semester.
It seemed like a plan to go to Tumkur. 3 days after I decided to leave, I was sitting in the flight. With my teeth in that condition, food on the flight was a major major problem. But I managed, somehow.
I flew Emirates, over Dubai. Reached Bangalore at 3 AM. Didn't take the taxi in the counter, coz it was way too expensive, the last time. I went further ahead, there was a guy who offered a taxi, and showed me a card, which clearly looked 'self made'. With not much choice, and no other taxis visible, I'd to board this. He came with another guy (!!) and either of them didn't speak much. It was around 3.30 AM, and for those who know the route from BIA to Malleswaram, it was lonely, for sure. I realised that anything could happen after I neared Hebbal. I asked the drivers for a phone, thinking I'll make a quick call home and tell I'm almost there. When he said he didn't have a phone, I felt like slapping my head for making it obvious that I too, didn't have one.
Anyways, he dropped me, safe and sound. I was worried for my MAC, if not for anything :P
That day's and the subsequent visits to the dentist revealed that there were quite a lot of complications than just a filling and the absence of a crown. My wisdom was overflowing, and not finding enough place in my head, had overflown to my teeth. Unfortunately, it was crooked, and I'd to get it removed by surgery. There were 3 more fillings on the upper jaw, that obviously I couldn't see.
With the teeth taken care of, at the earliest, I was able to slowly start eating things. Yes, I looked emaciated completely. Within two weeks of not being able to eat anything here in the US, I'd lost 6 kilos. I've lost count of the number of people who wanted toothache on listening to my saga. I only wished no one would go through this ordeal.
This 'emergency' 'short' trip to India of 21 days, was better than my first for various reasons, and worse for a few reasons.
I could meet my parents again, most of my friends again. The best part was probably being able to meet 2 friends, whom I'd not met in a long time, in the order of years. Felt nice. The minute my swelling went down, I started running here and there.
The sad part was, another trip got cancelled (again) . It was planned for 3 days to Pondicherry this time. Viral fever caused this.
But the hopeless part of this trip will always remain the 'Almost Just Missed' trip to Himalayas. The gang with whom fun was redefined, with whom impromptu trips were planned and executed left to Himalayas the day I landed in Bangalore. I'd even given a thought to go to Delhi directly from here, and then to Bangalore. I was just waiting for an assertive answer from any person I would meet next. That happened to be a "NO" and I realised it was for the good of the people going there too. I mean, no one would want to hear complaints of not being able to eat anything, for 2 weeks. Plus, my treatment could be at stake (considering that I'd to undergo 2 minor surgeries). It was too tempting. HIMALAYAS! FRIENDS! Couldn't help it. I thought of leaving later than I thought from India so that I could atleast meet them once they return. That happened in the last few days of my stay there. Result? I met them after an everyday planning, for 2 days, for extremely short durations. But I guess, without the toothache, even that wouldn't have been possible.
Thanks to the toothache, we could squeeze in a jammin session of BlendzZ, on the guitarist's birthday.
All said and done, the teeth seem to have responded well, and I'm still trying to make up for the lost weight.
