So there, it's done, and over with. At 76 years of age, pushing 77, I've had done what many teens experience. In fact, right alongside me in the recovery room at the private clinic I attended which employs the services of a half-dozen local specialists in oral surgery, there was a teen-aged young man to my left, a teen-aged young lady to my right. Both appeared to have undergone a procedure they would far preferred not to have to. They looked absolutely miserable. The young man's mother was in attendance at his side.

I recall our youngest son at age 18 being admitted to hospital in Toronto for (impacted) wisdom tooth removal - in hospital because the procedure would be paid in full by the Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan only if it were to take place within a medical institution. I remember when we were 16, my husband had an impacted wisdom tooth removed by his then-dentist. Who succeeded in botching the job incredibly, hacking away at the (then) poor boy's gums unmercifully, and extracting the offending tooth bit by bit, in shards and pieces. Of which shards and pieces continued to make their way through the gum for a full year afterward; my youthful husband become accustomed to feeling them make their way through, and carefully plucking them out.

When I remarked to my granddaughter that I was scheduled for the wisdom tooth extraction, she inhaled, then exhaled.  Talk of medical procedures tend to upset her; the very thought of blood and/or pain is one best left undisturbed. She warned me what would happen; I would be in pain and have to use painkillers for days and days. I would be reduced to eating mushy food. I would be 'indisposed' for a prolonged period of time. My face would be distorted and swollen.

How do you know all this? I asked her. Her school chums, their experiences in undergoing the procedure, how awful it was, what an ordeal. I told her I'm in good physical shape, healthy and strong and I'd have no problems. She sighed, and said she agreed, but without tonal conviction.

I've written a note of appreciation to the dental surgeon, and accessed a professional rating site. There, I'd read a critical rating for this very same surgeon before undergoing the procedure. His bedside manner did not rate highly for this disappointed client, nor did his professionalism. I added my rating which gave an excellent review to all the medical and administrative staff at the clinic (and there were plenty), and an especial note of appreciation to the expertise of the oral surgeon who made what might have been an ordeal, a simple, swift and painless procedure.

On arrival back home we enjoyed brunch (no food or drink prior to surgery), cleaned up the kitchen, and then I deployed myself to do the usually Wednesday bathroom cleaning routine.  I feel great!