Root Canal Woes

This past week has been a stressful one for me. I found out a couple of weeks ago that I needed a root canal, and was able to schedule one for last Tuesday. I think everyone who reads my blog or follows me on Facebook knows that I have anxiety. (For anyone who didn't, you can real all about it HERE). Dental anxiety is high up on my list of anxieties. Why? I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty sure it stemmed from the fact that I never had one cavity until I was 16 or 17 years old. Then out of nowhere I had 4 at one time. I don't remember much other than being scared, but what really set me off was that I wasn't numb enough either time and could feel pain. For some reason I was too scared to speak up for myself and just dealt with it because I wanted it over with. After that I avoided dentists at all costs. I realize how stupid that was now, but without insurance, and with my fear I just didn't go.

Anyway, I was feeling okay the week leading up to said root canal, but of course, the nerves hit the morning of. Especially once I got to the office and had to sit and wait. Everyone there was very nice. I was able to explain to the endodontist who was doing the root canal how scared I was. I'm proud that I'm able to speak up and talk about these things now. He went over the whole procedure with me and his assistant was so nice and she made me laugh and feel somewhat at ease. He made sure to get me good and numb. (It honest to goodness takes 3 shots of Novocain for me to actually go numb). It probably took 30 minutes from start to finish, and I think maybe halfway through my heart stopped hammering and I was able to relax just a bit.

I never know how I'll feel after the Novocain wears off though. Usually I'm in a lot of pain, but surprisingly I wasn't! Could this be? Totally successful and no pain? Score!

Yeah. Not so much. I was pretty sore the next few days, but decided that was pretty normal, especially since I couldn't take the ibuprofen they recommend, but could only take Tylenol.

Saturday morning I woke up in intense pain. So much so, that I sat in bed crying and couldn't will myself to even get up. I had my first anxiety attack since going on medicine for it last Fall. Of course the Endodontist's office was closed. I called my dentist's office and one of the dentists happened to be in. He talked to me and said he would prescribe me a painkiller and antibiotic. I told him I was pregnant, so he said I'd have to call my OB's office for a painkiller, but he'd call in the antibiotic. Called my OB's office, knowing I'd have to talk to a Tele-Nurse. They said they'd call back within the hour. I called back an hour and a half later and finally just got them to transfer me to a nurse. "Oh...I can't prescribe anything." GAH!!! Then she decided she could page an on call OB from my office. OB said hydrocodone, but I needed the dentist to call it in. Call the office back and everyone is gone. Cue more crying. Look up dentist in white pages, and get ahold of him. He gladly called it in for me. Yay! Relief is coming!

I was able to pick up my drugs and then go back home to let Jacob load up the van and then we hit the road for Villa Grove! I was able to enjoy my afternoon and evening, and we arrived not too long after Rachel and Micah. Supper was delicious, but somewhat painful. I think I had 4 or 5 times where my teeth knocked together and I got zinged with pain. We all watched the Lego Movie and because of that, I let Daniel stay up until 10! He was out like a light once he got settled down!

Yesterday morning I was feeling okay. We got ready for church and I knew it would be a long day since it was their minister's last day and there was a lunch and program afterward. We weren't sure how Daniel would do in the nursery because he never does well. Daniel and Pa walked to church and then I dropped him off. It only took 10 minutes before they came to get us! Jacob went first and we switched off later. Almost right before the service started though, I started to feel off. I could feel a headache coming on. Then the hot flashes started. I felt weird and somewhat dizzy too. I just kind of sat there praying that I would make it.

I was doing okay by lunch and it was SO good. I even managed to eat it without much pain. We kept Daniel in for half the program and he did such a good job. He got a few chuckles. When someone would finish speaking or singing a song he'd say, "Sing another song now!?" or "We're done now?" At one point I asked him if he was tired and he looked directly at me and said, "No. I'm tired of THIS." Haha! So, I took him out and played with him while praying my head wouldn't explode.

We went back to the house for a bit before heading home. I wasn't in a picture taking mood this weekend, but got a few pictures. Daniel REALLY loved spending time with Aunt Rachel and Uncle Micah!





Daniel fell asleep before we were out of town. Jacob and I talked all the way home, and I thought my head was getting better. It wasn't. You KNOW I don't feel good when I tell Jacob just to bring the suitcase in and I'll unpack it another day. I know it shocked him. I wanted to get Daniel ready for bed, but I ended up sobbing because he wasn't listening. Thankfully Jacob stepped in to get him ready. I was able to rock Daniel and then grabbed an ice pack for my head and went to bed at 8:30 after I found someone to work for me today. I had decided that the hydrocodone was making me sick and didn't take any after 11:00 yesterday morning.

I woke up today and called as soon as the endodontist office opened. I talked to a sweet receptionist, but she dashed my hopes. In my mind I WAS going in today no matter what. She told me, he usually won't see anyone for 2 weeks after. She went over a lot with me on the phone and let me know that what I'm feeling is still normal for some people. I started sobbing. On the phone. That poor woman. She told me to call Thursday and update her.

I hung up and anxiety attack #2 happened. It was worse than the first. I couldn't breath and was panicking. I knew Jacob was awake so I texted him and said, "I need you in here now." He came in and held me as I shook, gasped for air and cried. It took a good 10 minutes for me to calm down enough to explain what happened. He helped me through it and I ended up feeling better about it. At least my migraine was gone and James was kicking me.

I'm still feeling pain, but I'm trying to get through it. It actually isn't AS bad, but definitely still hurts. It's been quite the rough week, but thanks to the help of Jacob, I've made it so far! I'm very very thankful for him and all he's done for me!

Time is Flying!

This Friday will mark my 25th week of pregnancy. I can't believe how fast it's flying by this time. Generally speaking, this has been an easy pregnancy. The first trimester came with exhaustion and some nausea. Now I've moved into the heartburn and acid reflux stage. This pregnancy is almost complete deja vu of my pregnancy with Daniel. Due at the same time, same symptoms, and this kiddo packs a powerful punch just like his big brother.

I'm excited, but nervous. Not the same nervous that I felt with Daniel. I'm not scared about labor or delivery at all. If I'm lucky it'll go just as smoothly. I'm more nervous about going from one child to two. I know it will be fine and although every once in a while I'm sad that Daniel won't be my little baby anymore (who am I kidding...he'll always be my baby!). I don't worry that I won't feel the same love for James as I do for Daniel, because I already love this little guy so much! I think most of my nerves stem from remembering the exhaustion. Daniel was sweet, but a high maintenance little dude. I HATED my own bed time because it was harder for me to get up after I had already fallen asleep, and Daniel woke up every couple of hours for months and months...and months. But, with him, if I was still exhausted I could easily fall asleep on the couch in the early morning and even through the day in the beginning. With a toddler, that will not be happening. I'll live. I know my emotions will get the best of me at times, but many mothers have survived and I will too! (Someone please remind me of this when I'm walking around like a zombie!)

At the same time, I look forward to those middle of the night snuggles and nursing sessions. Even through exhaustion and even frustration at times, I always made a point to cherish those moments with Daniel. I look forward to baby coos and smiles. I look forward to all of the "firsts". I'm excited, albeit slightly nervous to see how Daniel reacts to being a big  brother!

I really do think he'll be a good big brother, but not sure what he'll think in the beginning. He talks about James all the time and even talks TO him sometimes too. He gave his brother his own special nickname that he came up with. He calls him Jamesy. It's pretty darn adorable.

I'll admit, this pregnancy is bittersweet for me. For years I imagined myself having three kids. Due to finances though, James will more than likely be our last child. I don't want to do a anything permanent, because maybe a few years down the road something could change, but I'm embracing each day and savoring every kick. Although, right now I'm also feeling at peace with having 2, so maybe this is what we are meant to have anyway.



How about this little cutie?!