Can you spell D-E-N-T-I-S-T???
Fortunately, I can. And I have a good one to call!
It started slowly, late last week, the discomfort in the right side of my mouth. Kinda lower jaw. With some interference by an upper tooth that seemed to be taking up more space than usual.
And it grew, as these things have a tendency to do.
So, Tuesday – very early – an appointment with the new guy in my recently retired, much appreciated, dentist’s office.
Before I bring you up to speed, I should probably mention that I’m not the world’s optimal dental patient.
I’m allergic to everything and have a super-sensitive gag reflex. The new guy – bless him – was very supportive. And, after a bit of studying the x-rays, dispatched me to an oral surgeon. (Joy, rapture, and bliss… not!)
Let’s just say that there has been a whole lot of electronic form filing to do! And calendar juggling. And pondering of Filters! Really!!!
We’ll begin with naming the all-important context. One word… Tooth!!!
I know… there’s still news happening. And painting to do. And that pot of bone broth, ready for the freezer. And a book hatching in my dreams.
Then there’s Stephen Covey whispering, as he has a tendency to do, his really helpful strategy for determining what’s next. It goes kinda like this…
Any given thing on my list, or yours, or the world’s, is two of these four things…
Urgent – Important – Not Urgent – Not Important
You, clever soul, have already realized that Not Urgent – Not Important things don’t make it to the top of the list very often.
The pain, however, rapidly climbed to Urgent – Important!
At least on my list! Then came explaining it to the people with the schedules…
Which brought up another Filter for me. The deep, old, familiar kind that sounds like… brave girls don’t complain. Followed rapidly by… don’t nag!
Blessedly, there are some other Filters inside. Memories of major allergies to pain meds and antibiotics. My allergies. And the fact that the epi-pen bit really isn’t much fun.
Oh! And the fact that nothing about Christmas with the kids gets better if I’m in lots of pain and can’t eat what the the girls love to cook.
And, then, the one that surprised me…
What I need matters!
Not more than what others need. And not less!!!
What really, really matters, though, is that I can model this for my girls!
So, I told my story, several times, and explained why dealing with all this as soon as possible would be really helpful. (Determined, I think, is the best way to say it.)
By the time you read this, there will be an actual plan. And, I suspect, more calendar issues to juggle. And, logistics. And, frankly, I’m not imagining I’m going to enjoy the next steps too much.
Here’s the thing, though… dental issues aren’t fun. Especially the sneaky kind. But coping with adventures like this just goes better when we can do it from a position of aligned intention and voice!
There’s another Filter that’s feeling handy about now… An edited one!!! My Mom believed, on some deep level, that the way to stay safe was to do everything the way Granny did. Including the massive holiday dinner with the very same menu, every time. It was delicious!
What Granny really wanted, though, was for us to all feel loved and safe.
And the way for me to do that, in this context is to deal with this health issue as soon as possible, even if that does mean two days before Thanksgiving… which it does! I’m quite sure Granny is fine with that. And that helps!
Dental insurance helps a whole lot, too… which feels like a huge reminder in our world just now.
In this moment, I’m curious…
What might things be like for you if you added this story to your Medicine Basket, just in case it came in handy??? What doors might open??? I really want to know! Leave a comment, below, or email me. Be brave!!! suesvoice@gmail.com
Oh! The art, above, is my digital teddy bear, if you will, for this adventure! In my heart, at least, the very brave figure, who may well represent some of my Cathar ancestors, was kind enough to volunteer!
ps… curious about the Filters! thing??? I can help! Here are some possibilities…
pps… just for you! My favorite recipe for Key Lime Pie… with a gluten-free nut crust variation! It’s really good… even if it’s not on the Filter list of the way we’ve always done it!
ppps… the print-on-demand elves are making woobies! Here’s Daphne with hers, under the painting which inspired it. And, here’s more info!
Sue, my sentiments exactly!! Everything except the pain is in my life today. My bone on bone jaw (no pain baffles prosthodontist) is now monitored every six months waiting for pain and possible jaw replacement. To your point of care: at my age we often ignore symptoms blaming it on age, but our self-care should give way to medical care, just in case. I hope all has gone well and that Thanksgiving has many blessings!
Thank you, dear Janis, for reading and hearing! And YES to not ignoring symptoms/blaming age instead of caring for ourselves! Actual procedure Tuesday. Thanksgiving will have many blessings, though perhaps not as many as usual about food! Hugs, Sister!