Bed Rest

Some of you probably already know that I am on bed rest. I have been since Tuesday (April 15th) and will be until Monday (April 21st).

I have had a small virus for over a week now (mostly a dry cough with pounding head ache which turned into a phlegmy cough with even worse head ache). I have had colds/flus that were ten times worse so I wasn't complaining. But then my tooth ache (which has been around for a couple of months now) started throwing a temper tantrum and ear aches started up heavily. I made an appointment to see the Doctor and told my boss on Monday evening (via voice mail) that there was no way I was going to be working on Tuesday. Good call if I do say so myself!

I knew I needed rest and that my body was obviously letting me know that but I didn't realize just how serious everything was! I went to my Dr. on Tuesday who said that the abscessed tooth (now it was in an abscessed state) was enough, on it's own, to cause me to go into premature labour. She told me to call my dentist (who has been putting off working on my tooth ache because I am pregnant) to do an emergency procedure and she put me on antibiotics that are safe for the baby.

I called my dentist who said to come in today, Thursday, because that will have given the antibiotics time to kick in before they "operate". It will either be an extraction or a root canal - whichever is safer for the baby. I am thinking root canal since I am on antibiotics and the swelling is definitley down! If it was too inflamed - a root canal would be impossible and they would just have to pull the tooth for the sake of the baby.

Tuesday morning (April 15th) my gums, above the tooth, were swoolen to the size of a pea. That's not small for gums! It was this big pea bulging out of nowhere and the pain was ridiculous! I lanced the gums myself on Tuesday morning (prior to my Dr's appointment) to rid myself of the hellish pain. Ken watched me poke my gums with a hot needle and couldn't believe I had the courage to do it. But, when you are in THAT kind of pain - nothing could be worse and you are willing to try anything! A mixture of puss and blood spilled out in the sink and I squeezed it until I thought everything was gone. Graphic enough? Sorry everyone! Turns out - that if I had gone to Emergency (or even to a dentist) which I probably should have done - they would have done an "open and drainage" anyways, which is the same thing I did to myself Tuesday morning!

As soon as I poked the needle through - the relief was evident and five minutes after draining it I felt 90% better! I just had a little tenderness. When I went to see my Dr. she said that the risk my dentist is considering (having a root canal while pregnant) is nothing compared to the risk of leaving the poison in my body as it could cause miscarriage.

This tooth has been bugging me for two months and I have been lancing it constantly! But, it was never as bad or as swollen as it was on Tuesday and I was always able to lance it with a simple insertion with a tooth pick. Their was virtually no pain and only a little sumpin' would drain out. But, this last time, I had to try and poke several times and ended up heating up a needle, rather than use a tooth pick.

Turns out that by lancing the gums myself may have been what has kept my baby safe all this time. I was spilling the poison out - not allowing it to go anywhere else. To tell you the truth: I have NO idea whatever gave me the idea to even do that the first time! I just instinctivley knew that it would help! To me : that was inspiration from the Lord and for that I am very thankful.

I am so happy that this tooth will be fixed today and the baby safe from harm. I finish my antibiotics on Tuesday (April 22nd) and I should be out of the danger zone. I already know that God is protecting this baby despite whatever the devil tries to throw my way. It may cause a moment of worry for a new mamma-to-be and I may comply with the medical advise (because who wouldn't?) but as soon as I pray or as soon as Ken prays with me - the fear dissipates and I am reminded that it doesn't matter WHAT the Dr's say - our baby is going to make it and our baby is going to be completley healthy and wonderful!

The devil may think he is winning at causing more stress in my life but all he is doing is adding another chapter of Faith to my life. Glory to God!