Okay, so that was a dramatic title, I know. I’m generally a very mellow, even tempered person, but sometimes I just need to be a bit dramatic. There have been plenty of wonderful things during the month of December, and thank goodness for that, because the overall theme of the month has been pain and sickness. Blah.
It all started December 6th with an ill fated dentist appointment. I knew it was going to be unpleasant but I had no idea the unpleasantness would be of such long duration. At my dentist’s visit I had 5 fillings and a crown done. That’s enough to put anyone out for a few days. I counted on that. What I didn’t count on was the fact that my mouth would completely freak out after the procedure. You see, about 10 years ago I had jaw surgery to fix an “open bite”. Basically, the surgeon cut off my upper jaw where my gums connect with my lip, shaved off some bone in the back, and re-attached everything. I couldn’t eat solid food for 2 months, and it was about a year before my mouth was free of pain. It was great. Well, since the dental procedure (now 3 weeks ago) I’ve been revisiting some of my old mouth pain. All my scar areas hurt. I can manage the pain with a couple extra strength tylenol, but I have about 30 minutes of sheer pain about every 4 hours when the tylenol wears off before the next couple kick in.
Because I’m a glutton for punishment just about a week after the dentist appointment, I had a mole biopsied for melanoma. It was rather large–not as large as last time–and required a number of stitches.
Thankfully, I was already on tylenol. The results came back negative. Big Brother thinks it is pretty cool, but Little Brother says, “Don’t see it! Too scary!” I still can’t lay on that side of my back, but I get my stitches out tomorrow.
But, I knew all of that would be better before we went to Dallas for Christmas so I could have a completely enjoyable time with my family….It all worked out perfectly, right? Um, no. Just three days before we went to Dallas Big Brother came down with a terrible cold. Fever for 3 days, lethargic, no appetite, nasty cough, you know the drill. The day before we left Little Brother came down with the cold, the day after we got there The Husband came down with the cold. Everyone made it through okay except for Little Brother. You see, when Little Brother is sick he transforms into some sort of little gremlin. Of course I feel sorry for him, but at the same time I’m also throwing up my arms is total exasperation. When Little Brother ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. We ended up cutting our trip short and coming home early.
I staved it off for about a week. Now I am languishing. Happy Holidays.
On the bright side there were many things this month that I am very thankful for:
- Despite the sickies (and the gremlin child) we had a wonderful visit with our family in Dallas
- I love Christmas, and with it the added motivation/encouragement to focus on Christ
- My blog was mentioned in an associated press article, giving me a little confidence boost, renewed determination, and some fun opportunities
- My mole biopsy came back negative
- The Husband had a whole week off to spend with the family
And because this post isn’t long enough already here are a few pictures of our fun time.

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