Small Kindnesses

So I went to my dentist, as planned, on Thursday at 2:30pm. I went into full detail about the danger my abscessed tooth posed to my baby and that my doctor said it was essential that this matter be dealt with asap!

He x-rayed my tooth and discovered that it had 2 large cracks in it and could not be saved. The tooth would have to be extracted. This was fine with me as my baby comes first, the tooth was in the back of my mouth, and I will just get an implant after the baby arrives.

He then proceeded to schedule me for a tooth extraction for two and a half weeks later! I was stunned, to say the least. Did he not hear a word I said?

In fact, while we were discussing the seriousness of the matter he said "I would really like to see the books your doctor is reading". I explained to him that it wasn't just my doctor, alone, that agreed with this! Another doctor said the exact same thing! Guess what he said? "Well, I would like to see the books both those doctors are reading".

You have got to be kidding me! All of the sudden he is the authoritive on medicine and prenatal care? He is a DENTIST not a DOCTOR - like dentists like to consider themselves. Their knowledge does not go far beyond that of teeth!

I left his office very distressed. This was Thursday (April 17th). Friday evening (April 18th) I was at my parents house, having a nice dinner with the family. Ken was in the living room having "guy talk" with a whole buncha other people that were over and I was in the kitchen having "girl talk" with my mom and another lady named Geneeva that was over. {Why is it that the women end up chatting in the kitchen? How demeaning! lol}.

I started to gripe about the arrogant dentist and express my worry for my unborn child. Sister Geneeva (this is her title as she is a memeber of my church and we call one another brother and/or sister in reference to the fact that we are all a part of the family of God} said "Why not go to another dentist?".

Why not go to another dentist? Why not go to another dentist?!!!! Helloooooooooooo! Why on EARTH did this not dawn on meeee?!!!!! It was like a thunderbolt of revelation came out of the clouds and left a big gaping scar on my forehead! In fact, when I needed another extraction (one of my back molars) last year and my dentist scheduled me for an extraction at a later date - I set to work at finding another dentist. And wouldn't you know it? My current dentist, the one who was being an ignorant loser, was the one who extracted my tooth, thus now he is my current dentist! How ironic!

But, for some reason, THIS time around, this solution illuded me! Saturday morning I set to work making phone calls trying to find a dentist that would take me in for an emergency extraction NOW! One dentist's office said they would take me in on Saturday but that they never do an extraction the same day they look at the tooth. This was unacceptable! I had x-rays from my current dentist and this was an emergency. Also, being, that I have experienced an extraction before, I happen to know that it takes all of FIVE MINUTES once the freezing kicks in!

I finally found a dentist that would take me in. The name of the clinic is called Thunderbird Dental located at 20159 88th avenue Langley, BC (Walnut Grove). If anyone wants to know the name of the clinic that scheduled me in for two and half weeks later it is called Willow Dental Care which is located in the mall and the Dentist name is "Dr." Kara (male).

When I got to Thunderbird Dental the dental assistant notified me that they might not be able to extract the tooth TODAY. I expressed my concerns to her and let her know that was ridiculous. My appointment was Saturday at 4:00. I was in the chair at 4:15 and no one came to see me until 4:30. The dentist mentioned it was getting late and that maybe he could schedule me in for MONDAY! I felt like saying "What you mean to say is that you are half an hour late in seeing me and that you are now going to stay late to do an extraction, for an emergency situation, that takes all of five minutes!".

I didn't have to lose my temper. The dental assistant spoke for me. She made him do it. She said she didn't mind staying late and that we were going to do the extraction today! She totally took charge. I said "thank you" and immediatley I started crying because I was so touched that someone actually cared and that she would put herself out on the limb like that for me.

Sure enough, no sooner did she say that, that the dentist had my tooth pulled out in 5 minutes! He even tried to say that he wasn't sure if it was cracked and he would like to research it more before doing an extraction (as he would rather save my tooth). I appreciated the gesture and I understood where he was coming from but I wasn't too worried about the possibility of saving my tooth just then - I was worried about saving my baby!

After extracting my tooth - it was definitley confirmed that it was cracked! It broke off in two pieces. Excuse my graphic nature here while I say that the smell from the tooth was enough to make anyone vomit and everyone made comments on it. This proves how abscessed it was.

When I think of the fact that I have had this abscessed tooth since I've been pregnant and that the whole time it was a danger to my baby - I get furious! And when I recall how "Dr." Kara scheduled me for an extraction two and half weeks later (after already making me wait for 2 months under the belief that it would endanger my baby to FIX it) I become apalled!

I am unable to take medication as I am pregnant! The pain was often times unbearable! How can a dentist do this to a new mother who is in pain?

When he scheduled me for such a prolonged appointment I should have said "Okay. No problem! So is it alright with you if I come in here every day for the next two and half weeks, kick you in the balls each day, and not provide you with any pain killers?".

I am sure the outcome would be quite comparable to my situation: he would be in severe pain every day, no way to alleviate the pain, AND I would be taking away his chance of having a child!

As you can see I am irate at this point!

Back to Thunderbird dental. They showed they cared, the extraction went well, their technology was top of the line (including x-rays that are one tenth of normal x-rays in the radiation department), they have TV's on the ceiling (which is a requirement for me when in that ghastly chair!), and my heart was overwhelmed when I left.

The dental assistant that played a major role in having my tooth extracted right then and there ALSO did the following:

she gave Ken a dental chair to sit in and offered him ear phones and a remote to watch TV while he waited. Ken opted for the chair (as they are very comfortable) but remained loyal to his PSP! I thanked her for being so considerate. She also gave me a squeeze ball to squeeze while my tooth was being pulled and even stroked my hand while it was being done!

When it was all over I thanked her profuseley as tears streamed down my face. She said "It wasn't really that big of a deal!". I told her "It is the little kindesses that impact people the most!".

I am reminded of a scripture "He who gives a cup of water even to the least of my little ones will not be forgotten". This scripture refers to those who provide even simple kindesses to God's people and that they will have a place in heaven (regardless of what kind of life they have lived).

I have no idea what sort of state her soul is in or if she is a "believer" but I will say this much - I don't think it makes a difference! She helped me and my baby that day and for that I know I will have tea with her some day on the other side!

After my extraction Ken and I went to the Emergency at the Langley Hospital. We told them our concerns and how we wanted an emergency ultrasound to make sure our baby was A-OK. They let us know that the ultrasound technician was away on weekends and that they WILL call her in if a woman is bleeding. Otherwise they will not call the technician.

I asked if they could at least put a doppler on my stomache and allow us to hear the heart beat. They had no problem providing this service! Sure enough we waited for 3 hours but once we heard that heart beat - all the pain and stress of the day melted away!

The heart beat was 140 beats per minute and the Doctor said "you have quite the healthy heart beat there!".

I doubt I need mention that Saturday was filled with much prayer between Ken and I and our families and friends. I am greatful for everyone's prayers and I give ALL the glory to Christ Jesus!