The sacrifices we make

This is Paige. She is my big sister in dental hygiene school. They pair each of the first year students with a second year student. They tell us it's so we have someone to look after us and give us the inside scoop into dental hygiene life. What they don't tell you is that after forging a bond with this so called friend, that you will be their guinea pig.
The second years learn anesthesia and take a board exam so they can give anesthesia to patients in the real world. However, the second year students need to find someone to be their patient. Not only does this patient go on exam day, but they must give us several hours of their life as the second year practices the different shots.

I'm Paige's patient. She is a great big sister - she makes me treats when she uses me.
The first 2 practice shots went text book. No issues. I was told my mouth was awesome and Paige got the needle in the perfect spot.

Yesterday was the third time Paige practiced on me. I'm so glad I don't have any issues with needles b/c this particular practice shot didn't go so well. There are certain steps that have to take place and certain things have to be said to meet protocol. Well...yeah...protocol didn't go too well and I so wished I could have laughed during the process. (I would have laughed but there was a needle in my mouth! I'm not a masochist!) So here is how it went.

Paige: Ok, I've got proper angle and depth
Ms. Dowd (her instructor): cricket...cricket (she said nothing)
Paige: You are supposed to say, "I see, proceed."
Ms Dowd: Oh, whatever.
Paige: Ok, I'm not sure I'm in the right spot. Am I supposed to be showing 3mm or more of the needle
Ms. Dowd: I don't know. I thought it was 7mm. Hmmm.
Paige: I don't know either. I can't remember anything today.
(REMEMBER A VERY SHARP NEEDLE IS STICKING IN MY MOUTH DURING ALL THIS)

This scene played out 5 more times as Paige stuck me with the needle and would then discuss whether or not things were right. Every time she inserted the needle she would angle too sharp and hit my bone. The last try she got Ms. Veit in the mix and that was hilarious.

Paige: Ok, so I'm inserting the needle...ooo...I hit bone again. What do I do now?
Ms. Dowd: I think you should angle down.
Ms. Veit: No! Angle more up.
(Paige, Ms.Dowd, and Ms. Veit have a disscussion about what should be done with the needle that is, again, in my mouth. Each argues why they think they should proceed a certain way. After the discussion this is what happened)
Paige: I don't know what to do.
Ms. Dowd: I'm confused, we should go look this up.
Ms Veit: I'm not 100% sure but try this. She should be ok. Don't worry it's guesswork anyway. Plus she probably won't get a hematoma (a big bruise from hitting a huge plexus of veins).

(AT THAT MOMENT ANOTHER STUDENT TELLS MS.VEIT THAT ONE OF THE OTHER GIRLS JUST GOT A HUGE HEMATOMA AND HER CHEEK IS PURPLE AND HORRIBLY SWOLLEN.)

Ms. Veit: Oops, oh well. Ok, go ahead Paige. Jo will be just fine.
I wanted to laugh at the scene that was taking place! They tell us over and over, "Never say, 'Oops' or 'I'm not sure.' " There I was and everyone is saying "oops", "I'm not sure", and, oh yeah, "one of the girls just got a huge bruise from the shot."

Again, I'm glad I don't have issues with needles b/c I certainly had every right to be freaking out. Instead we just laughed and took pictures. I love hygiene school!