Every Six Months

Recovering from sedation
January 2015

Every six months we head to the dentist for a teeth cleaning and check-up. When Izzy was four years old, it was time for that ritual to begin for her, and... IT. WAS. AWFUL. Because of her lack of spatial awareness and sensory integration, she couldn't just lay back in the chair and open up wide like the kiddo in the room next door. So the dentist recommended sedation for her cleanings. What?! Sedation! This really freaked me out. I did not want to give my child medication unless it was absolutely necessary... and I also didn't want to fork over $250 to pay for it. However, teeth cleaning is essential, so we did it. Every six months, we did it. Greg and I took a day off of work to take her to the dentist. A trip to the dentist that may take 45 minutes for a typical child took a full day for us. We had to arrive an hour early, so she could take the meds, stay an hour after the exam, so the dentist could make sure she's all right, and then we had to watch her very carefully at home.

Everything is easier with Daddy by your side!
December 2016

I'm sharing this because for the past year, we haven't had to sedate Izzy!!! The first time we tried without sedation, Greg sat on the chair with her! With her Daddy's strong arms wrapped around her, Izzy was able to handle the whirring of the tools and the sensation of laying back in the big, cold chair. We couldn't believe it! The next time Izzy went to the dentist, I flat out bribed her. If she sat in the chair for her exam, I said I'd take her to Target and let her get whatever she wanted! Seriously, though! If I didn't have to spend $250 on sedation, I was happy to spend $250 at Target! LOL! And, guess what? She did it! And, thankfully, she picked out a small toy that was less than ten bucks!

So proud of Izz!
September 2018

Just last week, I took her in again. She climbed up in the chair like an old pro. At one point, the hygienist had to scrape her teeth a bit, and that freaked her out. She cried but stayed in the chair and finished up!

This is just one of many stories I can share about Izzy and her perseverance. There are many times when I worry that things are just too much for her. I wonder if she'll ever be able to do X, Y, Z... and then, some way or another, she does it!

Things are never going to be easy with Izz, and I think that's the reason why God placed her in our lives. Growing up, things were always easy for me. I made cheerleader every year from 4th grade until my senior year. I made straight As (except for that one B - 89.4% from Coach McGuire in Physics) throughout my elementary, junior high, and high school years. I graduated college in four years and immediately got a job at a local TV station. Easy peasy! By working hard, everything has just fallen into place for me. 

Izzy's hard work is so very different than my hard work. The battles she's fighting are taking months and even years to overcome. When I see her achieve something, it reminds me of what is most important in this life. While I'm proud of all that I've accomplished, I find myself asking this question often: What really matters most?  What matters most is that we are lifting each other up. Helping others to achieve success. Guiding our children to be the best humans they can possibly be. All of the things on my "To Do" list really don't matter all that much. (I have a problem; I am a borderline workaholic! Ok... I am a workaholic.) While I'm still working on it, Izzy has taught me to prioritize. Family comes first, and my child's success, while measured so differently from mine, is my number one priority. And that is why this Friday, I left my meeting on time at 3:45 pm and rushed to the movie theater to watch a movie with her and her sweet, sweet friend. (This may not sound like a big deal, but it's quite typical for me to head back to school and work after my Friday meetings.) I spent my weekend helping Izzy to foster a friendship... a friendship that is so, so special, there are no words to describe it. These are the moments that matter most.

Anna & Izzy at Altitude

Every six months when it's time for her teeth cleaning, it will not be easy. Sitting in that chair and trying to stay calm while someone is poking and prodding in her mouth will always be tough for her... but she will do it. Twice each year, I will be reminded of the possibilities. I will be reminded to never give up. I'll be reminded that goals will come to fruition.

So now I feel like it only makes sense that I go on a shopping spree after my dentist appointment on Thursday... yeah, whatever!