a short trip to the ER

So I've been having jaw problem for a few months now. It really hasn't been that bad, just the occasional popping or tension. Although I can't say the onset was super surprising. I'm probably the poster child for any type of jaw problem (I chew gum hourly, bite my nails, eat lots of "taffy" candies, play the violin, and if all of that wasn't enough...jaw problems run in the family). Anyways, the jaw popping started becoming more frequent and problematic this last week and culminated in last nights adventure. Last night, after sitting awestruck in front of the tv, watching Joshua Bell play the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto live from Lincoln Center on OPB, I retired to my room to make sure facebook was doing okay before I called it a night. As I scrolled down the page, I let out a semi-big yawn and, what do you know?, my jaw pops out. This had happened to me before, but I've always been able to shove it back in within a matter of seconds. This time my jaw would not budge and I was literally stuck in a less than attractive "gaping mouth" expression. So at 12:30 am, we all changed out of our pajamas, and headed out to the Salem Hospital ER. Having been unable to tour the new ER yet, I did kind of try to look at my visit positively. I got to experience all of the "hospital" that I enjoy, but this time as the patient-ish. Anyways, after making a spectacle of myself in the not-so-private check in center, the nurses ushered me into the triage room where I'd be briefly seen. The lady took my blood pressure and temperature and felt very bad about asking me to answer some questions (true statement: it IS hard to talk when your mouth doesn't close). Then they sent us out to the waiting room where I tried to ease the pain by touching my jaw. Somehow, my muscles must've relaxed during the half hour period everything took, and my jaw popped back into place. "It's back in Dad, let's go home." And we did. The nurses probably laughed some more and we all said goodbye. It was a transient, but good experience. I think once was enough though.