dentists and death

Today's post: One pregnant woman, two different subjects. One subject pertains to me (dentists), the other only does indirectly (death). Just in case you were worried by the post title.

Let's deal with dentists first. Like most people, I don't particularly enjoy going to the dentist. I do, however, have a good one and have been going to the same dentist's office my entire life. My parents didn't leave me the best dental genes in the world, so for the past several years I've been dealing with cavity after crown after root canal after cavity, along with gum decay. (I know, ew.) It's actually been better toothwise in recent years (perhaps because I don't have many major ones left to get cavities), but going down in the gum area. And by the time I got pregnant, they wanted to do a deep cleaning--that means under the loose, flappy gums that are supposed to be tighter around your teeth. Because one thing's for sure: pregnant women, and even women that are nursing, tend to have a higher presence of bacteria in their mouths, leading to more tender/swollen gums than at other times. While they couldn't do xrays to verify that the deep cleaning was absolutely necessary (pregnant women shouldn't be getting xrays since they could harm the baby), they still wanted to do the cleaning.

I had my cleaning done in two steps, and at each had a special numbing process done in which they squirt stuff between the teeth and gums instead of giving the usual injections. This was a bit more expensive, but again was for the baby's protection. Then I went back in for an evaluation, and today, after three more months, I went in for a normal cleaning. Thanks to the deep cleaning and my improved dental hygiene habits since then (using a Sonicare toothbrush, flossing daily, and using two types of mouthwash for two different purposes--Crest ProHealth for my gums and Act Restoring Mouthwash for cavity prevention), my gums are vastly improved and they're only watching one tooth for a potential cavity in the future. The next cleaning (back to the six month schedule again! Yay!) is when they'll finally do xrays and determine exactly how much improvement (or lack thereof) I have had since before I got pregnant. My dentists and hygenists are very good at being careful when working on pregnant women, but I would advise any pregnant woman to find out what is/is not okay from her doctor before going to the dentist, and then talk it over again with the dentist when you're there. I did have to remind one hygenist not to give me the injection for the deep cleaning, so be careful--remind them that you're pregnant if you have to! Nobody's perfect, and it's your baby, so you're probably going to be more aware/concerned than anyone else. Enough preaching. Stepping off the soapbox.

Breaking News Alert: I just got a call from Babies R Us--the dressers have arrived at the warehouse! They took my credit card, meaning they'll order the dresser in to the store and it should be there in five to seven days (the crib took only three or four days). And I asked if people have had trouble with the dressers coming through their distributor/warehouse/store since there were a few people online stating that they got the dresser and couldn't get the drawers open and closed due to shoddy craftsmanship. She said she's never had anyone complain about this line at the store, other than the amount of time it takes to get in and a few nicks and scratches in the wood (which is understandable with shipping). She also said they check every dresser at the store before sending it home with customers, so I'm 90% sure we'll be good to go! And if baby holds off long enough, the room will be done by the time it's here! Relief.

Now, sadly (and I do mean that), it's time to deal with death once again. It's hard to believe that there's been so much of illness, dying, and death either directly or indirectly touching my life over the past several months. First mom, then Sarah (you'll have to search my old blog if you don't know those stories). Then my friend can't make it to my baby shower because one of her best friends died of cancer. My cat was diagnosed with probable cancer (she's eating a bit more, by the way, and not throwing up as much), and now, on Saturday, another friend's father died suddenly of a heart attack at 64. My husband's on his way up north right now, racing the clock to try to make the wake tonight. Then he'll turn around and make the almost five hour trip back home when it's over (I would have gone, but it's ill advised for a pregnant woman to spend ten hours in a car in one day when I'm this close to giving birth). And then, just a couple of hours ago, another friend whose father was diagnosed with cancer even before my mother was sent us a message that both of her parents were taken to the hospital over the weekend. While her mother is fine now, her father was told that the cancer has grown, he has internal bleeding, and probably just a week to live. She's on her way to spend time with him.

Why am I posting all of this? Honestly, I don't know. Partially because (like I said) I'm in stunned disbelief that this much death and illness is touching my family and friends. Partially because I know that many of you will pray for the families and for those that are ill. Partially because as I get ready--so close--to celebrate a new life, I am constantly mourning or reminded that others are mourning. And it's hard to know what to say. I just ache for friends that I see going through this pain, because even though our situations are never exactly the same, I know how it feels to lose someone so close and then have to keep going afterwards. And to those of you that are going through this, just know that even though my words don't seem to convey much, my heart is aching for you. I'm so sorry.

I'll change the mood for the final note since I can't bear to leave the post like this. I'll say two things: one, my last physical therapy session for my hips was today because I'm so swollen and tire so easily that I just said I'm not going to do it anymore. My therapist agreed and wants me to call when I have the baby to tell him whether his unblemished record on guessing the gender based on the mother's cravings remains unblemished (he's guessing boy for me). Two, sometimes I'm amazed that there's not a little hand or arm sticking out of my crotch because that's what it feels like: the baby is right there. Sorry for that visual, but this kid's got to learn how to keep his/her hand in his/her mouth! :)