For those of you who have a loving husband like mine, you’ll likely appreciate this story. It’s a story of compassion, caring & love. It’s a story about sympathy, empathy and sensitivity. It’s a glimpse into how wonderful he can be when the chips are down. When those around him are suffering. And, when someone he loves needs tenderness and kindness.
OR IS IT???
If you’ve read more than one post here at THD, you likely know that the wonderful picture I painted above is likely NOT my hubby. My hubby is all about sarcasm, laughter, jabs at his (awesome) wife and making my life difficult or at least minorly challenging.
So, here goes my story!
This past weekend I started experiencing some throbbing pain my lower jaw. Now, it’s wasn’t debilitating pain.. just uncomfortable and recurring. I couldn’t actually pinpoint the source of the issue, it was either my jaw or perhaps my back molars. I took some advil, drank some wine and figured it would eventually go away. Well, 2 days later it’s still bothering me and the news stations are starting to report about an “epic” and “prolific” snow storm on its way to the Northeast. I don’t know about you but the word prolific should never be used to describe a snow storm.. and, with the accuracy of most weathermen, it’s probably a term that can create mass hysteria (aka – 9 mile long lines in my grocery store and shelves without any bread). Anyhoooo, on the cusp of an historic storm, I decide it might be prudent to get in to see a dentist immediately so I don’t find myself with some awful dental issue without the ability to get to a dentist because of 3 feet of snow!
So.. I should give a little bit of background before I take you to the dentist with me. I have TMJ plus I tend to deal with ALL the stress in my life by clenching my teeth while I sleep. It’s just awful and if you have ever been a teeth clencher or a teeth grinder you likely know how much it sucks. So, I often wear a night guard (I know – immensely attractive and sexy) to bed each night. It’s supposed to relieve the pressure on my back teeth to solve (or at lease ease) some of the issues I have. So, back to my throbbing pain. I mentioned before I couldn’t really identify the source…. And this is simply because if I’d had a particularly bad night with my teeth clenching (probably an output of stepping over one too many items on the stairs or staring at one too many Christmas bins that have yet to be put away) it’s quite possible that it would resolve itself and I wouldn’t need a visit to the dentist.
But – cue impending snow storm music – I figure it’s better to be safe than sorry and I scurry off to the dentist!
Long story short… the dentist determines that it’s likely not a major tooth issue but rather a flare up of a muscle problem in my jaw, directly related to my teeth clenching. He suggests that I don’t do anything “taxing” to aggravate the issue (don’t gnaw on any hard bagels, no chewing gum etc.. etc.). He then also suggests that I limit my stress levels so I can relax my jaw and ‘give it a break’. Now, since reducing my stress levels would have to include either killing my husband or getting him to complete some basic household chores – the former option the most likely – he basically says to just do everything I can to relax and not put any undo aggravation on my swollen muscles.
So, on the way home I call hubby and relay my diagnosis. I’m barely done telling him that it’s not an issue with my tooth and he’s already laughing at me and saying “So, you got a diagnosis from the dentist that resulted in a suggestion that you should stop talking!!!” (I can practically see him grinning through the phone) “This is the best day EVER – the dentist just told you to stop talking!!”. He’s giggling and laughing and quite jolly, as he says again. “Hahahaha.. you were just told by the dentist to shut up!!”. I calmly say to him… “I’m so glad you’re happy I’m in pain. The dentist didn’t tell me to stop talking. He simply said to relax and not aggravate it”. Then I hung up on him because I can feel myself clenching my jaw in aggravation and wanting to punch him through the phone.
15 minutes later I’m back home, standing in my kitchen about to take more advil and the phone rings. It’s hubby….. OH JOY!
“I called the dentist” he said
“You did what??” I asked him
“I called the dentist.” he repeats
“You called the dentist” …. now I’m a broken record
“Yes, I called the dentist, to thank him………………” (yes, this really did happen)
“You called the dentist to thank him.” I’d like to say that I can’t believe what I’m hearing… but I do believe it because well….. it’s MY hubby and this is the life I’ve chosen
“Yep, I called him to thank him for giving you a diagnosis and a recommendation of not talking. It’s a great gift he’s given me and I had to thank him!!”
“You’re serious aren’t you?” I feel the need to verify what I already know……………….that I’m married to a lunatic!
“I sure am. I talked to the girls at the desk and then I spoke to the Dr. AND….. (he proudly declares) they are all hysterically laughing!” he’s so happy with himself
****** SIGH ******
“Oh… by the way” he said (as if the first part of this story wasn’t enough) “I also called my Dad… he can’t stop laughing either. And, I called my brother too…. He wants to know exactly what’s wrong with you because he wants to see if we can afflict his wife with the same problem so the dentist can recommend she shouldn’t do any talking either…………………”
Such compassion. Such love. I really am so lucky to have him in my life.
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