Finding a Happy Place to make it Through….

I have to admit that when I woke up today I was a bit apprehensive about having this infected root canal removed. I was not worried so much about the pain from the procedure as I was about what kind of flare this would throw my body into.

Having sarcoidosis seems to cause flares from; what I eat, stress, the weather, and especially when I over-do-it. This was my first procedure and I was pretty anxious wondering what it would do to me. But I knew that I must not have fear and instead have faith and trust that the Lord will strengthen me to make it through. I knew that this infected root canal needed to be removed and I was hopeful that this could be just another step in my healing process.

The removal went well and took only about an hour. I was awake the entire time during the removal. It was pretty rough when they had to twist, pull, and yank to get the tooth out. The dentist told me I would have bruising on my chin from where they had to push so hard. Although this was a very stressful event on my already adrenal stricken body. I seemed to feel peace and calmness during the entire time and knew that this was an answer to my prayer. I knew that if I tensed up then I would only cause myself more pain and suffering from the flare that would surely come after the removal.

It was about 10 minuted from the completion of the procedure that my body went into full flare mode. The pain was beginning intensely on the left side of my chest and back. I prayed to be able to make it through the rest of the procedure. I then had the thought to take myself to a happy place. I found a nice warm beach in my mind and went there. It was over before I knew it and was glad to get the heck out of there! haha!

My mom, my daughter, and my granddaughter were all with me. The drive home was a very long one as my mouth was becoming un-numb and painful and the pain in my lungs was intensifying. I was grateful to get home, climb into bed, and wrap my cheek in ice. I was thankful this day was over and now to begin the healing and endure the flaring process. I really hope this procedure will not cause a flare that will last too long!