Jan Accepted Hospice With Grace
Memories of Pain-free Dentistry
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 19 seconds
As I sat in the dentist’s chair, waiting for the oral surgeon, I couldn’t help but notice the nitrous oxide dispenser. It had tubes for mixing oxygen with the oxide and was conveniently placed on wheels, making moving closer to the chair easy. I hadn’t seen one of these dispensers in years, and it had been even longer since I had been to a dentist who used it to alleviate pain for their patients.
During the early 1970s, while residing in East Williamsburg, I visited Dr. Lorber’s office on the corner of Maujer Street and Bushwick Avenue, just a block from my workplace. Rumors had circulated that the location was previously a luncheonette that drug dealers from The French Connection used for laundering money. When seeking a dentist, Dr. Lorber was highly recommended, with many mentioning his use of nitrous oxide. There were claims that Dr. Lorber had discovered drugs from the previous occupants and mixed them into the nitrous oxide.
I was skeptical about the effects of nitrous oxide despite its strong reputation. Once, while getting my wisdom tooth extracted by Dr. Lorber, the dental technician put a rubber mask on my face and adjusted the disperser’s knobs. When Dr. Lorber returned and removed the nitrous oxide mask, I thought my tooth had been extracted, so I left the office. However, Dr. Lorber corrected me as I walked down the hallway and instructed me to return to the dentist’s chair.
Jan, the love of my life, selected Dr. Lorber as her dentist because of his reputation for pain-free treatment. Despite suffering from mild dentophobia and avoiding dental appointments for years, Jan felt comfortable with Dr. Lorber. I was relieved we could visit the same dentist for our dental needs.
Despite experiencing a mild aversion to pain, when she received her lymphoma diagnosis, she displayed remarkable resilience in the face of the overwhelming discomfort. Each treatment was approached with a sense of calm and determination, and even upon learning of her hospice care, she remained a profile of courage. Her unwavering strength is a testament to her character. I can only hope to emulate it should I ever find myself in a similarly life-threatening situation without resorting to nitrous oxide to mitigate my anxieties.
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NJ must work to improve mental health care for cancer patients and families
Memories of Pain-free Dentistry
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes, 19 secondsDid you know New Jersey has the second-highest cancer rate in the United States? Shockingly, over 56,000 residents, more than 1,000 people per week, are diagnosed with cancer yearly. Unfortunately, cancer does not only affect physical health, but it can also lead to mental health challenges. According to an article, approximately 1 in 4 people living with cancer experience clinical depression, and up to 20% have anxiety.
To read the full article in NJ Spotlight, click here.
The book Never Forget Our People Were Always Free is told through parables. It features intimate glimpses of political and 
