Thursday, February 19, 2009

Ever hear of an Endodontist?

If you have, you are cringing right now? If not, let me tell you what this is. It's a doctor who does root canals all day. That's all he does. Root canals. All day. What in the world kind of person do you have to be to pursue endodontistry?

Well, I have been referred to an endodontist by my dentist who is suspecting that the infection from one of my root canals (yes, I have had more than one) is back. Apparently, this happens. I didn't realize that before today. Learning a lot today.

I have to admit that hearing that news tempted me to become discouraged and at very least, to grumble. We have a battery of doctor's appointments coming up in the next 4-6 weeks in the midst of an already very stressful season of our lives. My husband's work hours are very demanding right now (tax season) which puts added responsibility on my plate. I have three young children still at home. I am battling other pain issues physically and trying to sustain a part-time business through the Pampered Chef. There are also the "little" things of daily life that can tempt me to complain, like the fact that our 25 + year old couch's legs decided they would not hold one more person up and broke at caregroup last night which I hosted in my home (while my hubby is traveling out of town). Or, the squirrel who got into my trash last night that I foolishly left out on the back deck to take out to the curb this morning rather than throwing it into the trash can. Or, the children who refuse to take naps or stay in their rooms for rest time when I have a Pampered Chef party to prepare for.

These are my details, but you have your own. Things that tempt us to daily grumble or even despair. I recently listened to a sermon by Mark Driscoll on trials. It has proven helpful to me in the last couple days. Listen here for some fresh perspective on your "trials of many kinds".

Knowing that I can tend toward "over-spiritualizing" things, I thought I'd also include a link to one of my more recent favorite country songs (and no, I'm not turning my blog into a Top 20 Country countdown). :) This song has helped me to just smile and take things in stride a bit easier. It's not necessarily theologically sound, but it's just fun. (**Gretchen, I think you and Dave, the Altrogges and the rest of your gang will like this one if you can get past the twang of it). :) Here is the link to "Sounds Like Life to Me" by Darryl Worley: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrMlPLr2s4Q

7 comments:

Zoanna said...

Yes, the very word "endodontist" makes me recall breaking my tooth on an olive that was supposed to be pitless. I can highly recommend the dr I went to: Dr. Yang. She is in in the prof blgs behind Dunkins, very close to you!

ANd I need to order a pizza stone from you. Can you please email me with info and price list? I may order more stuff while I"m at it.
zubsatcomcastdotcom. Thanks.

Zoanna said...

I meant dot net.

Zoanna said...

Third comment's the charm: the only thing harder to imagine than why someone would choose endodontistry? Proctology. Who would choose that, and why? I'm glad they do, but can't for the life of me figure out what drives a person to that career? Or do they simply "back in" to it? Do they enjoy it or are they always anal-retentive? To me it's a job at the "bottom" of the barrel. Okay, I'll stop with the stinky puns.

Briana Almengor said...

Zo, you are too much and too good at that! (the puns, that is). :)

Anonymous said...

bri, that is life. check your email. mom

Karen said...

don't laugh, but my dad (who is a dentist) seriously thought about becoming and endodontist. He just enjoys the challenge of the procedure and to be honest He is really good at it. I speak from experience.. i have had 1 root canal and yes my daddy did it. ;)

Anonymous said...

I can TOTALLY empathize with you more than you can imagine. I have never been blessed with a root canal, but the fun I have experience is more than any human should experience. The periodonist is another good one!! Try having some really pointy object shoved into the four corners of your tooth into the gume around every tooth.... without any novacaine....LOVELY! Hope you can get to the infection before it gets worse!