Alaska Day 10, Doctor, Doctor...

Day 10

Monday June 11

     A few weeks ago, I chewed on something the wrong way and got a sharp spike of discomfort in a back tooth.  It went away just as fast. Having other things on my mind, I forgot about it.  Besides, I was due a visit to the dentist later in the summer.  A couple of days ago that all changed.  

     Remember the three and a half mile hike down that lake trail in Skagway?  Yeah, the one where it rained the whole way down and despite my best efforts I was soaked when I got to the bottom.  Well, partway down the trail I came to a dry spot under a distinctly thick canopy of foliage.  I paused to grab a water.  Since it had been in the outside pocket of my pack, it was as chilly as the air.  I opened it and chugged it down.  That tooth didn’t like the sudden cold and let me know. 

     From that point onwards, the pain in my tooth started radiating.  By the end of the day, my jaw hurt.  When I tried eating a sandwich before boarding the ferry back to Juneau, I suddenly found myself sitting in the restaurant with my fist tightly clenched, pushing down on the table, waiting for the pain to go away and fighting the urge to scream.

     Sunday morning it was bad enough that even touching my face by the jawline hurt.  I could feel each breath on my tooth.  Here’s the kicker, I had three more weeks until I could get home to my own dentist.  It was getting worse.  And let’s face it, there’s only so much pain a person can suck up before they scream.

     Since Juneau is the last city I would be in for a while,  I started looking for dentists and found one close to the motel.  I called and they could see me at 10A. 

      With a little time to kill, I drove up to Auke Lake and started on the two mile trail along the shoreline.   Right about the turnaround point, it started raining…again.  Fortunately, this was a light drizzle and I was mostly under the trees.   Back to the car and it was time to see the doctor.

     A shout out to the folks at Alaska Dental Arts(they do cosmetic, too) Promptly at 10A I was ushered into the back and X-rayed.

     Dr. Allen Smith came in a few minutes later, looked at my x-ray and laid out my options.

1)      Do nothing and the pain would simply increase.  With three weeks to go, that wasn’t a realistic option.

2)      Antibiotics. I had an infection at the root of my tooth. This would help the pain, but not fix the issue.  There was a good chance the full pain would come back before I got home, in force.

3)      Have the tooth removed.  When he laid out the recovery process and time, it seemed really unappealing.  For the next three days I wouldn’t be able to smoke(no problem) I wouldn’t be able to spit.  And I wouldn’t be able to do strenuous exercise.  That would mean three days in Denali National Park without any long hikes.  Like I said, not appealing.  Besides, he said the tooth is healthy. 

4)      Get a root canal.  Short recovery, but I would have to figure a way to get the tooth crowned either a little further up the road, or go easy on it and get it done at home.  

    And you thought your Monday was bad.  For those of you who haven’t endured one of these, just imagine having a cavity filled for the better part of an hour.  Dr. Smith and his assistant were great though.  Less than an hour and a half after walking in, I walked out.

     The Novocaine eventually wore off.  By 5P, my jaw still felt used and abused, but that would go away in a day or two.  The pain in my tooth was gone.  Still, not how I wanted to spend my day.  I had planned a long hike out to a ghost town. 

     I still had a prescription for antibiotics to fill, so I drove into downtown Juneau.  This is from a small parking lot outside downtown.

     With three cruise ships in port, downtown Juneau was a bit busy and parking is limited.  I found a lot where you stick your $2 in the numbered slot at the kiosk.  I had two hours.  When I came back an hour and a half later, there was a guy in uniform standing by the box making notes.  So I asked him, if he's just checking now, does this mean I have another two hours?  He said. "well, yes."  I thanked him since moving the car would be a hassle.

    The folks at the Juneau Pharmacy hooked me right up.  I took a walk while I was waiting.  The Alaska statehouse is one of the most understated I have ever visited. 

    Across the corner from the state house sits Bishop Michael  Kenny Peace Park.  Bishop Kenny was assigned to Juneau in 1979 and represented the area until his death in 1995.  In November, 1990, he led a delegation to Baghdad during the build up to the first Gulf War.  He successfully negotiated for the release of some hostages and tried to work for a peaceful end to the looming conflict. 
     Across the street is a statue of William H. Seward, Secretary of State under both Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson.  While serving under Johnson, he negotiated the Treaty of Cession with Russia for the purchase of the Alaska Territory in 1867. While some referred to it as Seward's Folly, others understood the benefit of the new territory.  No one was laughing when gold was discovered less than twenty years ago.  

    One of the biggest tourist attractions in town is the tram up Mount Roberts.  The view is supposed to be spectacular on a clear day.  I wasn’t going to pay $34 to look at clouds.  There’s also a steep trail up to the top.  Hikers usually climb up and take the tram down.  Considering all the rain and my still numb face, I may just try it another day.

 
     

      After enjoying some spicy reindeer sausage and being careful to still chew on the left, I simply took a scenic drive to some overlooks, watching the sky try and clear.

     One of the best things about Extended Stay Americas, they always seem to have a large guest laundry.   Ten days into the trip  and it was time.   One odd thing about my room though.  While it was indeed clean and perfectly comfortable, there was a very slight smell every time I walked into the room.  It took a day to figure it out.  Why the room would smell like Froot Loops is a mystery.

     I wasn’t feeling any desire to head back into downtown, so I simply lingered about the motel, and walked around the neighborhood to the drive up/walk up coffee shop.  Seriously, they seem to be everywhere.

Coming up,

Juneau to Anchorage to…