Changed perspective.

Do you ever get that feeling that God is working in your life in ways you never though would really matter?

I do. [Right now actually.]

I got some great news today, that I'm not quite ready to share here just yet. Some folks know, but its something I want to keep just with those I actually know for a while :) But its a new challenge for me and my family that we are excited and eager to take on! We are blessed beyond measure.

I could go on and on right now, but I am in a bit of pain. I had a dentist appointment this morning and I was thinking we would take care of a couple of my fillings. I have a lot of work to be done since its been about 8 years since my last real visit. I found an incredible dentist here and I saw him a few months ago for my initial consult.

That's when the laundry list of $12,000 worth of work hit me. Yea.

When I got in, I chatted with the tech for a while since the doctor was finishing with the patient before me. By the time he gets over to me, I was feeling less anxious. That didn't last long. He dropped the bomb.

"We are going to take care of those two root canals today." Said so calmly. Like its something I do everyday. I know HE does. But me? Definitely not.

"Um, I don't think I have time. I have to be outta here by 1230 and its already 1130." I really did have a time crunch. Justin had to be at work.

"That's plenty of time!" So stinkin cheerful. By this point, I'm not in the mood for cheerful. More like a morphine drop and tequila. He sensed my anxiety and asked if I wanted the gas.

DUH.

I do know that comes with a cost though. I was financially prepared for a couple fillings, not root canals! Add nitrous on top of that... I didn't want to know. The awesome dentist that he is though, told me he would give it to me at no extra cost. I'm pretty sure the fact that I went from a chipper and talkative girl, to a pale white hot mess on the verge of tears is what swayed him on that one.

So I got my gas and he gave me the shots in my gums. First time drilling, felt it.
More shots.
Second try. Felt it.
More shots.
Third times the charm? Not quite.
More shots.
Finally I was numb enough that he could get to work. I would feel a little bit of pain here and there, but I talked myself out of it. It wasn't excruciating, so I could deal. I mean, lets be real. He must have thought I was nuts being such a baby even though I have all these tattoos! Its a different kind of pain though. Way different!

When I left, I made my next appointment for the second part (yea... mm hmm.) and got my prescriptions, paid way more than I had been prepared to, and made a pit stop to clean the drool and white flecky stuff off my face. I let Boats know what we did and he was pretty shocked too. Probably more shocked that the phone call was from my cell and not from a police station. He even asked 'Did they put you to sleep?' Haha. I love how well he knows me!

So after all of this, I still feel grateful.

No, its not the meds talkin! Although, I might sing a different tune when it wares off. :)

One thing the tech pointed out, is that if I had known I was in for not just one, but TWO root canals today, I would have worked myself up so much, I probably would have been sick. And she is totally right. With my past experience with dentists, I would have psyched myself out so much that I probably would have canceled my appointment. Now that it is done, even though there is another step and then crowns to talk about, I am so thankful. I didn't cry. I didn't have an anxiety attack. I didn't even curse at anyone! More than that, I am now excited to get the rest of the work done. I am ready to get my teeth where they need to be and not be self conscious of my smile anymore.

One dentist screwed me up 8 years ago. And this one fixed me. There isn't enough thanks in the world.

-Mrs. J