heno

My Henry has three cavities. 

 Before we came to New Orleans we tried to have them filled.  I'll keep a long and painful (for me) story short and tell you that the dentist was unable to fix them at that time. Henry started feeling pain in his tooth a couple of weeks ago.  I started to freak out and then I calmed down.  I found an amazing pediatric dentist here in Nola that has been so attentive to the situation, patient with me and all of my questions, and had his staff work hard to get Henry an appointment this friday.  Henry has a great fear of the dentist and only under general anesthesia will the work get done.  

I had no idea how common it was until both of my kids as well as some of their friends were at the same time having serious issues with cavities, as well as serious issues with fear of the dentist.  This was maybe a year and a half ago.  My kids drink a soda pop every blue moon, they don't eat tons of sweets, their teeth get brushed twice a day, we use fluoride, I spray xylitol in their mouths after they brush and throughout the day.  The dentists attribute the problem to a vicious bacteria that is very hard to get rid of.  Not very encouraging.

So here we are in a situation I hoped we'd never be in again, feeling like a horrible mom and preparing my kid to be drugged and unconscious, then off into another room...without me.  I know this is more traumatic for me.  Henry will be absolutely fine. It will all be taken care of at the Children's Hospital here in New Orleans.  I have talked with two parents (including the dentist) that recently had their children there and for different reasons under general anesthesia.  They only had good things to say.

I haven't wanted to share any of this.  It's not fun to write or even think about.  I also don't want to be judged by parents of shiny, happy, cavity free kids.  It may be too late for that, actually.
The fact is, it's all I have been thinking about.  Friday can't come soon enough.

For Henry's sake I'm showing a brave face and preparing him the best I can for a morning when he'd rather be running at the park than in a hospital.
I'm sure we'll see children there for reasons much worse than cavities.  This just might set me over the edge, but I vow to keep all my tears at bay for Henry's sake.

Thank you to the friends that have been checking in on Henry, for the phone calls and thoughtful emails.

Greta and I will be back for the drawing challenge this weekend, hosted by the dearest of dears, Nadine.

Also, visit Greta's blog and check out the movie she made.