Dress, Dog, & (Almost) Doctor

Whenever anyone asks how wedding planning is going, I find myself answering the same way I did last year when people asked about the first year of dental school: ...It's going. Of course, last year the reason behind the cryptic response was to spare friends and family of how dental school was a torturous black hole of perpetual sorrow; now-a-days, its to keep myself from feeling like I'm somehow behind on the planning front. 

Normally, I love lists- they're a perfect way to keep things organized, but somehow those ever so handy month-by-month wedding planning check lists freak me out. It's probably for one of two reasons: 1.) There are some BIG items to take care of up ahead, and 2.) I have barely made a dent in the million and one things that are required to plan a wedding (in reality, I'm probably freaked out because of both reasons). I am happy to announce though, that I have marked off a very large item from the "To-Do List." Ladies and gentlemen, I have found THE dress! The picture to the left is a sneak preview of what we'll look like in 12-14 months- K in a suit, and me in my wedding gown! We've also officially booked our flight to CA for the end of May so that we can look at venues... and reserve one of course. Thankfully the internet has allowed us to browse potential locations with our fingertips!

The same day I got measured for my dress, K and I brought home our new baby. We now have a beautiful, blonde, brown eyed, 42 lbs, 2 year old Shar Pei/Lab Mix named Rosalind- in honor of Rosalind Franklin. You know we're a a nerdy couple when we name our dog (and all future pets) after a famous scientist. 

Rosalind is such a sweetheart. I fell in love with her while volunteering at the SPCA in Dallas, and she won my heart. She didn't have to try very hard to win over K's either. She loves belly rubs, cuddling on the couch with mommy, playing tug-of-war with daddy, giving kisses, and running around with other dogs. She came to us knowing 'sit' and 'down,' and that little smarty pants has already learned 'shake,' 'roll over,' and 'bang!' Unfortunately, our little four legged child is also a tad bit destructive. In the 18 days we've had her she's destroyed: 8 Harry Potter DVD cases and 4 Harry Potter DVDs, 2 rubber coasters, 1 flip flop, and 1 TV remote. Ugh. Apparently she's a chewer, and we REALLY wish we'd known ahead of time that we needed to stock-up on durable, dog-appropriate chew toys. Being a new parent is so charming... She sure is cute though; I mean, look at that face and those floppy ears! 

(Let me just get on my soap box real quick... shame on you if you ever pay money for an animal and it's not from an adoption shelter. Shelter pets are the most loving, the most grateful, and the one's who need us  the most. Their lives actually depend on whether or not people go to their local shelter vs their local breeder. Now, if you're looking for a fury friend, check out the North Texas SPCA website to see what animals they currently have up for adoption: http://spcafindapet.com/)

Monday was a big day in my dental education/career. I had my FIRST official patient! It was a hectic afternoon and I am SO grateful that a D3 was able to help me out, otherwise I would have been so lost. The appointment started with me going up to the second floor to retrieve my patient from the waiting room. We then ventured down to the first floor Oral Diagnosis clinic so that I could take his vital signs, go over his medical and dental history, and have him sign a ton of forms. After waiting for my start check, I did his extra-oral and intra-oral exam. I confirmed the findings of his screening appointment and did his treatment plan. My findings were then confirmed by one of the clinic faculty after waiting in line for them to take a look at my patient, and then off we went to the Oral Surgery clinic to wait for a consultation. From there we went back up to the second floor for another exam and consult in the Removable Clinic. After MORE waiting, everything was finally approved. When all was said and done, it only took 2 hours of waiting and bouncing from clinic to clinic before the patient was free to go. I can't believe the time has come for me to finally start treating actual people! I mean, just today I gave 2 injections in the oral surgery clinic on an emergency patient- I'm basically a real dentist! Well, almost....

Whether it was a crown prep, a filling, or dentures, my first patient never had much to say. My second, third, and fourth patients received cleanings; the latter didn't feel as comfortable with me wielding sharp instruments as my classmates had. Now, I'm doing exams and treatment plans and giving injections! With some much appreciated help from upper classmen, of course!