Yesterday, Bailey was scheduled yesterday to have various teeth pulled and prepped for implants. We knew this was on the radar due to several professionals input. While he was fortunate enough to have all of his teeth,(many with Down syndrome don’t get that luxury), the roots were very small and did not provide the stability needed. By the time we had the surgery yesterday, the oral surgeon was very surprised they were still intact.
Everything went according to plan. Well, there was a bit of an “oopsie”. Bailey swallowed an implant screw. Yep. When he coughed, it was like a vacuum and down went the screw. Both the oral surgeon and the implant specialist were a little freaked out. Both are very experienced and highly regarded in their fields. They quickly jumped into action. The implant specialist called over to an imaging facility to get us in for a chest x-ray as they were concerned that it was in his lung. In the meantime, Bailey keeps coughing and looks miserable. Sweet. Baby. Jesus. Is June over yet?
While we are headed to the imagining place, I pondered taking him straight to the ER. In my head, I see it lodged in his lung. Then I immediately went down the rabbit hole that I would need a Pulmonologist, and was close to calling one of my medical friends for a recommendation. Fortunately, I was nudged to simply call my spouse who reminded me that I would be waiting a long time at the ER but can get in immediately for this chest x-ray at this facility. (Yes, Brian. You were right. Don’t let it go to your head.)
In the meantime, Bailey keeps coughing and telling me that he can feel it lodged in his chest area. I try not to openly freak out, so internally I am losing my shit. We get to our destination, and Bailey tells me he has a headache. I gave him two Advil and pointed him to the restroom where he could get some water. I am in the process of texting when Bailey comes bounding out and announces very loud and proud, that he coughed up the screw. Then he adds, “I thought I was going to poop it out, but I coughed and it appeared in my hand”. People just chuckled and I was very relieved on two counts. One that he didn’t hand me a screw covered in shit and two that I no longer needed a lung specialist. I did have them do a chest x-ray as a precaution, but feel comfortable that all is well.
I am requesting that the rest of June be quiet as I am currently out of energy to cope with one more life changing event. Let’s hope the actual implants placement today, goes without a hitch.
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