Young Ethan was feeling the pressure, he had been hard at work preparing for his exams. He was desperate to get the grades that he needed to in order to study medicine at the University that he wanted to go to. He got up that morning feeling exhausted, he couldn't understand why he was so tired. He had slept for nearly 12 hours and felt as though he had only slept for 3 hours. He hauled himself out of bed, putting a hand to his throbbing cheek. He had been up all night trying to stop the pain once and for all.
He sat down at the table with a slice of toast. He hoped that it would be easier than the day before where he had been unable to eat and had skipped lunch and dinner as well. He was really hungry but he had to be careful because it was really uncomfortable. Cal hurried downstairs after him and began making his own food. Ethan yelped in pain as he took a bite of his toast. The pain rippled throughout his face and tears began to run down his cheeks. 'Nibbles, are you okay?' Cal asked him concernedly. Ethan shook his head and placed a hand on his cheek.
'What's wrong?' Cal asked him. He crouched on the ground beside his brother and looked at him sympathetically.
'It hurts when I eat, I thought it would be better, I took lots of paracetamol earlier to stop it hurting but if anything it has gotten worse' Ethan moaned. Cal placed a hand on his shoulder.
'Where does it hurt?' Cal asked.
'Right at the back, I can't brush my teeth without it hurting either' Ethan complained, tears flowing down his face.
'Alright, on a scale of one to ten how bad is the pain?' Cal inquired.
'About an eight' Ethan muttered.
'Alright, do you mind if I take a look?' Cal asked. Cal was a newly qualified doctor and was working at the training hospital. He had been issued with a simple medical kit which he kept at home incase he needed it.
Ethan nodded. Cal ran to fetch his bag. He pulled out a pair of latex gloves and put them on. He led Ethan to the sofa where he told him to lie down so he could take a look. Ethan sat down and made himself comfortable whilst Cal prepared himself.
'Promise you won't bite me alright!' Cal instructed as he began his examination.
He looked carefully and ran a finger along the gums at the back of his jaw to see if there was anything there that might be causing the problem. Ethan howled with pain as he put a finger on the gum.
'Sorry buddy! It looks like you might have your wisdom teeth coming through. They can be quite painful. What I'll do is book you an appointment at the dentist as soon as possible to get it checked out, it might mean that they need removing but we won't know until you see the dentist' Cal explained as he took off his gloves.
Ethan sighed. He hated the dentist, ever since he was a kid. He had been having one of his teeth removed and the anaesthetic wasn't working as well as it should have done and ever since he had been afraid. 'I'll come with you if you want' Cal offered. Ethan nodded gratefully, there was no way on earth that he would go on his own.
Cal made the call whilst he was at work and booked an appointment for that afternoon because he knew if it was any later Ethan would try and find an excuse not to go. Cal picked him up from college and drove him straight to the dentist. He brought an icepack from work to give to his brother which he held against his cheek to try and bring the swelling down and make it more comfortable.
Ethan held Cal's hand tightly as he was led into a room and told to sit on the chair. He wanted to turn and run out of the room but he knew that he had to face the dentist if he wanted the pain to end. He nervously climbed onto the chair and sat back.
'Now what can I do for you?' The dentist asked. Ethan's hands trembled.
'He's been suffering with a bad toothache, it seems to be coming from the back of his jaw and I think it might be his wisdom teeth' Cal explained after noticing his brother's nervousness.
'Okay, lets take a look and see what we are dealing with' The dentist muttered donning a mask and a pair of latex gloves. Ethan began to shake as the dentist came closer.
'Its alright nibbles, trust me, he won't hurt you. Don't be scared, because I'm here and I won't let them hurt you, I promise' Cal whispered, taking Ethan's hand in his.
Ethan let the dentist take a quick look but began to panic when he started reaching for his equipment. He began to fidget on the chair and started struggling to breathe. The dentist returned the equipment to the tray. 'Ethan! Ethan, calm down mate' Cal instructed. He crouched beside the chair where his brother lay. 'Listen to me nibbles, the dentist isn't going to do anything alright, he's not going to hurt you' Cal told him.
Ethan grabbed his hand tightly. 'Here, give me your other hand' Cal instructed him. He placed Ethan's hands on his broad chest. He took a couple of deep breaths so his brother could mimic his actions. 'Good work nibbles, keep breathing deeply, there we go.'
Ethan eventually calmed down enough so the dentist could finish the examination. They took him for an x-ray. Cal waited for his brother to get back so that they could find out what the problem was. He let Ethan sit on his lap and held him tight when he saw him return with a tear stained face. He looked like he had been to hell and back. 'Come here buddy, its alright, I promise.' He said pulling him into the tight embrace.
'Alright, we can see from the x-ray that it is in fact his wisdom teeth, and it looks as though they are coming in at an angle, we have no choice but to remove them. I can book him in for monday next week if that suits.' The dentist explained. Ethan began to tremble. Cal pulled him close and took his hands in his.
'Look at me Nibbles, everything will be okay. Trust me. I'll be with you and I won't let anything happen' Cal told him. He led him out of the room and took him home. Ethan was getting himself stressed out about the operation which he was to face on Monday.
On Sunday Cal took Ethan to the shops to get as much food as they could which Ethan would be able to eat whilst he was recovering. They bought yoghurts, fruit which could be made into a smoothie, ice cream, puddings and some ice packs which he could use to make the swelling go down. The dentist had given them a list of medications which could help make the pain go away and stop the swelling.