A few years ago I visited my family physician for something… I can’t even remember what it is now. He’s a great doctor and a good friend. I trust him with my life. Is there any greater endorsement?
After his examination, before anything else, he turned to me and said, “It’s not cancer.”
Cancer had never even entered my mind. This changed things. As of that moment, everything was cancer.
This weekend a pea sized lump formed on my upper gum. It didn’t hurt, it wasn’t bothering anyone. It just didn’t belong there.
I knew in my heart-of-hearts it was an infection – not good, but certainly commonplace. But all I could think of was, “It’s cancer.”
I know, this is ridiculous… and yet there’s nothing I can do. I see my own mortality. I don’t like the idea.
As soon as I woke up Monday I called my periodontist¹. This morning I went for a visit.
Of course, it was just an infection. Unfortunately, that means I’ll need root canal… and as it turns out, I also have an endodontist. The fun begins early (for me) next Tuesday morning.
In the general scheme of things the prospect of root canal is a relief. Isn’t that a sad state of affairs?
¹ – If you have a periodontist, life is already cruel. He’s a nice guy, but I’d rather see him socially than dentally.