CHU-chew

Earlier in the year I noticed a small lump on my top gum. I didn’t think too much of it, but mentioned it to my dentist to be on the safe side. He prescribed a gel to help reduce it. However, within a few weeks it had started to get bigger not smaller, which did start to unsettle me. I went back to the dentist and he took an x-ray and booked me into a consultant in Dijon, who couldn’t see me for 6 weeks. Within a week it had doubled in size again.

A good friend, who speaks French, went to see my dentist to understand what my options were, and his suggestion was to visit the emergency ‘Odontology’ department at Dijon hospital, or CHU as it’s known. We had a break in guests of about a week, so we decided to go the following day.

After a tense wait in a quiet, but fidgety, waiting room of people, my name was called. I’d asked Brian to come with me, as by now my anxiety levels were high. I’ve only ever had two small fillings in my whole life, and the thought of some kind of operation was nerve wracking.

The two women who saw me explained that they would be taking a biopsy. I assumed from this that they would take a tiny piece of the lump out to test before they did anything further. But no, within minutes a third dentist came to take a look and they discussed removing it. I think I’d switched off at this point. The two women performed the procedure. First numbing my gum, then slicing out the lump. I closed my eyes the entire time, trying to meditate, whilst Brian watched the whole thing with curiousity.

They were finished after what seemed an age, but was actually quite quick, Brian tells me. They proceeded with filling my gum area with some sort of ‘plasticine’ and then wadding to pack the wound. I was given a prescription to get more antiseptic and padding if I needed it.

I have to say I was a bit shell shocked, everything seemed to happen so suddenly, and now I was walking out of the theatre with a mouth stuffed with bloody wadding. I think I may have traumatised the waiting room also, as I peered in to see how many people were left waiting, my cheek puffed out with blood stained padding.

When we got back to the car Brian explained to me what had happened, and why I looked the way I did, and that we could expect results in 2–4 weeks, all of which I had completely missed in my mini stunned state.

I sat for a while to absorb it all. The advice was nothing acidic or sugary or too hot, and definitely no alcohol for at least a week. My diet, I realised, was going to consist of very soft food.

For the next few days I took things very easy. I had a daily diet of a brioche roll with cream cheese and chopped up smoked salmon. Water and warm tea were my go to drinks.

We were both amazed at how quickly my gum started to heal and, within about 6 days, I was using a very soft tooth brush to clean around the area.

So this week we traveled to Dijon for my appointment and results. They were very kind and efficient at the hospital, and wasted no time in telling me that all was well, that the area had healed and there was nothing untoward in the results. Phew!

The whole experience had been a bit scary for me, but I have to say that in my experience the French health system was incredible, and I’m very grateful for their care.

We both came away feeling today was a good day. Now I can chew again without fear.