Dental Emergency

Do you see anything that looks like a DENTAL EMERGENCY here?! Look carefully at my bottom left tooth (your bottom right)...see how it is slightly discolored? Read on to find out why that is NOT a good thing...

I don't know if I am brave or stupid to post a picture of my teeth on my blog. :) So here's the story: I am used to going into the doctor's office expecting to hear something bad. I've just gotten used to it. However, when Lincoln & I went into the dentist yesterday I was NOT expecting to hear anything out of the ordinary, except that maybe I had a cavity or that I needed to floss my teeth a little better or something like that. Well, we had a full set of x-rays done on our teeth because we were new patients at that office. I have been going to the same dentist forever & decided to switch & try somebody different...especially because we got a coupon in the mail for a good deal on a new-patient exam. :) So I went in first for x-rays & a cleaning. While getting my teeth cleaned the dentist came in & asked if I have had trauma to my bottom teeth. I said that I hadn't...the only thing I could remember was hitting my chin when I was 5 years old & having to get stitches...but I don't think I really hit my teeth when that happened. He then told me that I have major bone loss & that he is going to have to send me to another doctor, possibly an oral surgeon, within the week. WHAT????!!!!!! I'm not going to lie, I was silently freaking out about it. I started laughing & told him that I have had the worst luck lately. He told me he was leaving to get a special instrument from his other office so that he could see how bad the damage is, & told me to hope that at least one of my bottom teeth are dead. After my cleaning, I went out in the waiting room & told Lincoln...& he just laughed. That's sad that that is our reaction now when we get bad news. :) The dentist came back with this special instrument (I don't know what it's called) that basically sends an electrical current through your tooth to see if the tooth is still alive. I had to raise my hand every time I felt a sensation in the tooth. When I was halfway through the test, Lincoln started telling me from the other room, "Don't worry Anjane', it doesn't hurt!". (He had the same test done in high school when he caught a softball in his mouth.) After that the dentist showed me my x-rays & told me that I am missing ALL of the bone under my bottom four teeth...the only thing that is holding them in place are little pieces of my gums!
See, this picture shows what the tooth is supposed to look like...the whitish area under the gum & surrounding the tooth is bone. In my x-rays that part was completely black...just totally gone. The bone loss went pretty far down too. From what I can understand, something traumatized that discolored tooth & it died. We don't know how many YEARS ago this happened! It started getting infected & the infection surrounded the bottom of the tooth & started eating away at the bone & spread across the whole bottom of my mouth & down towards my chin. I am amazed that those teeth haven't fallen out! Anyway, the dentist said that he has only seen something like this in one of his textbooks. Oh, how nice! I am sure he will show other dentists the picture or tell his patients, "At least yours isn't THIS bad!" Well, he referred me to an endodontist who will see me either Monday or Tuesday morning for an emergency root canal. HOPEFULLY that is all that will have to happen. I was told that the bone can grow back if the infection is stopped. Right now they have me on 4 Penicillin a day & a special medicated mouthwash. This is just to prevent the infection from getting worse. I've noticed that it's starting to take a toll on my stomach & it makes me really tired but it's not too bad...I have to take it for 2 weeks. Lincoln & I spent 3 hours at the dentist's office...it was quite the day! We analyzed the whole situation over dinner. It's so weird...I didn't have any normal signs of infection. We realized though that this is probably why I don't bite into any hard food...I cut corn off the cob & slice up fruit (not even because it hurts...I just thought I didn't like getting food stuck in my teeth or something). Also, if I miss one night of wearing my retainers, my front bottom teeth have moved in the morning...probably because they are loose & there is nothing holding them in place! My front bottom teeth have been sensitive to cold & pressure for as long as I can remember. I have always just thought that everyone has certain teeth that are more sensitive than others, or that ache once in awhile. This is probably why I have an overall sick feeling most of the time...who knows how long my body has been infected! Maybe this is why I have gotten headaches almost every day since junior high. The whole situation is just bizarre! ANYWAY (I know this was like reading a novel!) I will post how everything went when I get back from the endodontist...wish me luck! At least my tooth is completely dead so I won't feel anything, right? Actually, I should consider myself lucky. The dentist told me that if all of my teeth had been alive, that I would have had to get my mouth completely cut open & that I would have probably had to have a bone graft! Hmmm...so I never thought I'd say this, but I am VERY thankful that I have a dead tooth. For now I am not allowed to play sports (not that I really did anyway) & I have to be really careful what I eat & how I chew. He told me that if a kid hit my mouth my teeth could fall out. So don't be offended if I don't get too close to your kids for the next little while! :) We loved this dentist & his staff....they were SO nice & helpful & spent SO much time with us. It's a good thing we went to them!!!!!

My Bday Dinner

I chose the same thing that I have pretty much every year for my bday dinner...chicken divan! Mmmm, I love it. It has been my favorite food since I was little. Thanks so much Mom for making it for me! Hers always tastes way better than mine. My hair looks a little windblown in this picture...the wind in Snowflake was kind of crazy.

Trip to Snowflake...Friday

Lincoln & I & Aaron decided to leave early & divide up our trip, so we left late Thursday night & drove up to the cabin in Pine. I was driving & there was so much rain & fog...I really couldn't see much of anything. Linc was sleeping in the back seat & Aaron was in the passenger seat next to me..for moral support mainly. :) I was surprised we made it there alive!


We woke up in Pine to snow falling! It didn't last for long but it sure was an awesome sight! We were able to talk with Linc's grandparents who were there for a few minutes & then we left for Snowflake. I took a bunch of pictures on the way up. The scenery was CRAZY BEAUTIFUL...I really wish I could have captured it somehow! I thought these pics were kind of cool...I like the one of the lonely little tree. I stared out the window the whole way up...I loved it!

Saturday

On Saturday we hung out at Matt & Danielle's all morning. We love staying with them when we go up to Snowflake. They have always been extremely good to us & have helped us through a lot. Their kids are so sensitive to others' feelings & are so much fun to be around. The first pic is of Jayten & Claire being funny. Can you believe how curly this little girl's hair is? It is so cute!

Later that afternoon I learned how to garden! Can you believe that I have never worked in a garden before? We had a small garden when I was younger & lived in Gilbert, but I just picked the food, I didn't plant it. I had so much fun gardening, but I am SO sore today...it is so pathetic! I definitely need to get in better shape! :) I felt pretty good Saturday afternoon. I didn't have to take as many meds as I have had to take lately & was able to be outside a lot. I loved having energy to jump on the trampoline with my nephew & to be active...it was such a great feeling!

That night we had a big family party with the Willis side (Linc's mom's side). It was so fun to see everyone. We celebrated Lincoln's brother Kenny's bday & ate & had a little fire outside. Lincoln made a cool wok last time we were up there & he finally got to use it. He is quite proud of that thing. :) We ended up staying up until 2am with Kenny & Cleona and Carl & Wendy playing Speed Uno & talking. It was seriously one of the funnest nights we've had. We really do love being around our family.

Sunday

Today we played with the kids & went to church with Lincoln's parents. They spoke today in church & gave great talks. I was crying so hard during my father-in-law's talk...he was talking about his grandkids & included Jackson in the grandchildren count. It really touched me. I know he won't read this, but I was so thankful to him for including him like that.

Here are Lincoln & Reaves...this kid is hilarious! He is so cute & sweet. Everyone thought Reaves looked like Lincoln when he was born. Can you see the nephew/uncle resemblance? Linc is such a good uncle!

Before we left town we went to the cemetery. Hopefully next time we go, there will be a headstone on Jackson's grave...we picked one out on Thursday & are just waiting to get the proof so that we can ok it & they can make it! We are so excited about it!

We had such a great weekend with all of Lincoln's family. We never want to come home from Snowflake! We love it there & we LOVE the company there! Here's to yet another fabulous trip to Snowflake!!!

My 25th Birthday!

I know this sounds so ridiculous, but being halfway between 20 & 30 really freaks me out! This past Monday was my birthday & it was such a good day. I had some very nice bday songs sung to me by my nieces & nephews & friends, & received gifts, texts, phone calls, cards, etc. It's so nice to feel so loved!

The first part of the day was pretty uneventful. I slept in & talked to a few friends. Linc had worked the night before so he was sleeping. After he woke up, the fun started!

Here are the Moak girls (they live next-door) & I just hanging out watching tv. I LOVE these girls! They really are some of the cutest kids I have ever seen. They provide me with much entertainment & really know how to cheer me up! It was fun to have them over for a few minutes that day. Thanks girls!

After that Lincoln & I went to Joe's BBQ for dinner. For those of you who haven't heard, Joe's gives you a free sandwich, side, drink & dessert on your bday! It was so yummy! I really took advantage of the bday freebies this year. :) After dinner we came home to change & as we were walking up to the door, I could see streamers inside our house. I was thinking that maybe Lincoln had planned a surprise party & all I could think was that my kitchen wasn't clean at all! Well, to my relief nobody was there. Brandon & Christa have a spare key to our place (since I lock myself out every month or two) & they had come over and decorated the whole downstairs with streamers & balloons. Christa also cleaned our kitchen! I was a little embarrassed, but very grateful. THANK YOU CHRISTA!

They also left a ton of cupcakes on my counter...white rainbow chip cake with rainbow chip frosting, which is my FAVORITE, along with all of the other preschoolers in the world. :) There was also a gift & card on the couch. When I opened it, here's what I found...

a foot massager! I tried it out that night & it felt so good! We ended my birthday by going to Steve & Erica's house to play Rock Band & eat some yummy cake that Erica made. We got home at about 12:30am & I couldn't sleep, so Linc being the nice husband that he is, stayed up until 2:30am with me, watching The Bachelorette. I used my new foot massager & then Linc gave me a good old-fashioned foot rub. What a day! Thanks everyone for making it the best birthday ever!

My Hottie of a Husband

I really like this picture of Linc. I am kind of obsessed with this guy. He treats me so well when I am so sick & worthless, who knows how he'll treat me when I am actually normal & productive? Hmmm.....This was at my parents' house last week...he helped get the food ready. Don't you love the apron?!

Tagged

5 things on my list of things to do today:
1) Go to sleep (it's 2:22am)
2) Get rid of the nasty smell in my house from the RAW MEAT we accidentally left in the trash when we went out of town! Now I will TRIPLE-CHECK the trash before we go out of town again. :)
3) Unpack & clean
4) Make & deliver Primary Softball invitations
5) Set up an eye doctor appointment

Snacks I enjoy:
1) Cold cereal
2) Dill pickles
3) Wintergreen lifesavers (I get so excited when I find the ones that crumble)
4) Yoplait yogurt
5) Spoonful of peanut butter :)

5 things I would do if I suddenly became a billionaire:
1) Buy a bunch of clothes (I don't usually buy clothes...& I need them!)
2) Get Lincoln a big truck that he can get lifted as high as he wants
3) Go on lots of trips with Lincoln!
4) Hire a personal chef to make me yummy healthy food for every meal!
5) Buy a house with a big yard

5 places I've lived:
1) California
2) Gilbert, AZ
3) Mesa, AZ
4) Thatcher, AZ
5) That's it!

Jobs I've held:
1) Day care
2) Bahama Bucks
3) Woods Construction receptionist/secretary
4) Legal assistant...kind of...I don't know what it was called. I just was a witness for signing of wills, did secretary work, etc.
5) Arizona Stone receptionist...I kind of miss that job! (I know Tyra, you're probably laughing right now, but I really do!)

5 things people don't know about me:
1) I have a freakishly long tongue & can pick my nose with it (but don't worry, I don't)
2) I'm really good at word games
3) I used to eat live cockroaches when I was a baby
4) I don't like talking on the phone
5) I get overwhelmed really easily...it's something I'm working on :)

I tag.....anyone & everyone!

Pain Management

I went to a specialist last week & he told me that he thinks I have something in addition to my endometriosis that is causing my pain. The same afternoon, my ob/gyn called & told me that he thinks the same thing. These doctors hadn't talked to each other, so it really surprised me that they would both come to the same conclusion on the same day. In a way I am relieved because I have always been told that my case doesn't follow normal endometriosis cases. I am really worried though, because I have NO idea what else I would have. Obviously it isn't something that has shown up in ultrasounds or surgery. The specialist thinks I might be having pain in a different area than the problem is in (I can't remember what the name for that is). Anyway, until we figure out what is going on, the specialist wants me to start getting massages regularly & also wants me to do acupuncture. I am wondering if anyone knows of any cheap places to get either one of these things done. I've heard that if I get a note from my doctor saying that these things are medically necessary for me, that my insurance will cover it. That would be great if they would! I need to do some research in that area. Anyway, thanks everyone for your support! I really appreciate it!

Straight A's!!!

Congrats to Lincoln for getting straight A's this semester! I am SO proud of him. He never really had to study in high school, so he knew that he had to develop good study habits when he started college. He has definitely done that! He's awesome & is really so incredibly smart...it blows me away how much he knows about EVERYTHING! I'm really excited to be able to spend time with him this summer. No more school until August! We couldn't be more excited about that! It was a long semester!

Aaron's going to state!

This picture is from last year, but it's the only one I have of Aaron running hurdles. His prelims were last week & he qualified for state in both of his events! He is running in the state prelims tonight & will run at least one event on Saturday night. He is really good & has improved his time by so much this year! In the 110 meter hurdles he got 14.5 seconds...for anyone who doesn't know, that's a great time! I'm really proud of him. We are excited to watch him run on Saturday! He was also invited to run hurdles at the Adidas nationals in Cali this summer...WAY TO GO AARON!!!!!!!!

Update...

Well, this is just going to be a boring post with no pictures...so you don't have to read it if you don't want to. :) I know that I make random posts on my blog about my health & that I'll say I am feeling good & then I'll talk about how much pain I'm in...so I've realized it's probably kind of confusing. I also will tell people I am fine when I am actually in a ton of pain or having a really crappy day. So I decided to just tell you exactly what's been happening. (Please don't think that I hate my life though, I just hate the situation!) So here's what's going on: I haven't worked at all for the past 2 or 3 weeks (luckily it's for my parents & I just work when I feel good); I'm on some medication that has lots of stupid side effects because it makes my hormones go crazy, which makes my endometriosis grow back faster; on bad days I take about 6 Vicodin a day & on good days it's probably 2 a day; I think I fell asleep after 5am four nights last week & slept until 1pm two of the days; I am really stressed with this whole situation, which makes everything so much worse. Lincoln is working full-time & going to school full-time. It's hard because he is trying to provide for us but we really need some more income & I am too sick to work right now. He is so busy it is ridiculous...we really don't have much time at all to spend with each other.
However, I want to tell you about a few things that are going great in my life! First of all, I feel good every Sunday. I seriously think I have missed two Sundays, because I was sick or in pain, since I was put into the Primary Presidency (last July) & that in itself is a miracle. Before I was called, I missed church about half the time & actually told the bishop that I'd accept the calling, but that I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to fulfill my responsibilities at all. I am about to cry as I write this...Primary has been the biggest blessing to me. I know I've mentioned this before but let me tell you why. The kids have so much LIFE in them...they just make me want to live better & be happier. There are three girls in Primary who have come to my house to give me pictures that they drew & I absolutely LOVE that! This calling makes me feel like I have something to offer, & I am actually able to accomplish things in this area in my life. I seriously go to church feeling good & sometimes within an hour after I come home I am laying on the couch in pain. Most of the time I feel good the whole day on Sunday though, & then Monday hits and I am in pain/sick the majority of the week. I seriously have to sometimes lay on the couch all day for 3 days in a row (of course eating & showering in between :) ) but come Sunday I am FINE! I am seriously SO blessed!
One other thing...I have a good marriage. I can't say that we don't fight, I can't say that we haven't made each other really upset before, because we definitely have! We are SO different from each other, so we think it really is so strange that we ended up together. But now we are starting to see WHY....we teach each other things every day. We are so open with each other (maybe too open, I don't know) but I can say that we are great friends. We try to look past each other's faults (& trust me, there are some big ones with us both) & help each other with our struggles in life. Sometimes all I can think about is having a baby, but then I stop & think about how we are supposed to put our relationship with our spouse before our kids. I realize that Lincoln is my life right now, and that children will hopefully come with time, & I have REALLY learned to enjoy the fact that we've been married for 4 years & aren't raising a child or two. Of course this was definitely not in our plans...most of our marriage has been COMPLETELY different than we had expected or even hoped, but it's good. We would love to have Jackson here, we would love to be pregnant again, we would love a lot of things...but we are learning to embrace our situation. It makes me realize that Heavenly Father knows what I need SO much more than I know what I need. Anyway, I just wanted to share an update but it turned into more..... I do want to thank those of you who always ask how I'm feeling. It means a lot to us! Thanks!!!