Brusha Brusha

Emma has to go to the dentist tomorrow. I've been putting it off for awhile, mostly because of my own aversion to dentistry. I have almost no enamel on my back teeth, and even with great hygiene I still get cavities. She's also got a big openbite that is going to require lengthy and painful orthodontic care. Adam and I both went through the ordeal of braces, and we gave in to the fact that she would need some sort of orthodontia when she was a little baby. Could the open bite be from her pacifier habit? Most likely it is a combination of genetics and the pacifier habit. She will give up the pacifier when she's ready to. (Honestly, I'm tired of hearing comments about it. She's THREE and uses it when she's tired. She's not in highschool sucking her thumb.)

We played 'dentist' a few times today. Adam and I sat with our knees together and layed Emma on top with her head in my lap, just like the dentist will do. I 'checked' each one of her teeth, brushed them, and 'buzzed' them to clean them. After her checkup, it was my turn. Emma brushed my teeth and gave me a prize for a good checkup. At bedtime we tried to practice again, but she was NOT having it. Emma screamed and yelled and spit toothpaste on the bed. So much for a peaceful bedtime routine.

Let's hope tomorrow goes well!

From the halls of Montezuma...

Today we visited my grandfather. We were stuck in heavy traffic, and I decided to stop on the way down at the national cemetery. It is a little sad there with burials in areas with no sod and empty mausoleums scattered around. When it is finished it will be a beautiful, peaceful place. He is resting to the right of what will be the main entrance. Thousands of soldiers, true heroes, will eventually come to rest there.

After a walk around the small developed portion of the cemetery, we got back into the car. We stopped at the Crocs outlet and bought a few pairs of shoes and some jibbitz. Then, it was off to the Jelly Belly Factory.

I'm sitting in bed, enjoying the breeze coming in from the patio. The house is quiet except for the click click of the bathroom clock. The little one and our pets are napping. If only I could. I need a shower. I need to pick up. But today, I don't really feel like doing much. Last night was well, rough.

I've been dealing with numbness and pain in my hands for what seems like ages now. Both hands were operated on this past winter, and the surgery didn't exactly help. When my back started spasming and refused to let up, both the chiropractor and the surgeon agreed that something else is going on. So, that explains the need for the MRI. The person that designed the MRI, brilliant as he is, is a sick son of a...

When I walked in last night in my hospital gown, I was expecting an open MRI. I've had three scans previously, and although I was a little freaked out I got through it. I climbed onto that table last night not knowing what I was getting into. Before the appointment they asked if I wanted a sedative, and I should have taken it. Always take the drugs.

He slid me into the tube, which is a little like a rounded coffin. My head was strapped into a coil and my legs were propped up, so I couldn't see outside. The couple of times I did open my eyes only fueled the building claustrophobia. I kept thinking "Don't push the panic button. Don't do it. You are okay. Breathe in. Breathe out. If you get out now you'll have to do this again." I was so cold even with a blanket and from adrenaline that I was fighting the urge to shiver and shake. My back was on fire and I thought the IUD was being ripped through my back and towards the magnets. Normally the tech will give you a few seconds between the sets of scans to let you relax a little, but I was not so lucky. It was nearing 7 o'clock and I think the tech wanted to get done with work for the night. That or he thought he was being nice by getting it over as quickly as possible.

I'm still recovering almost a full day later. My shoulders are sore, my nerves are fried, and I'm exhausted. I wonder if anything will show on the report. I don't really want anything to show up. Nobody WANTS problems with their spine. If nothing shows up, though, what is wrong? Why the spasms that won't let up? It just brings more questions...