Rollercoaster praise

I am thankful today.

It's been a roller coaster day/week/month/year/life

I was supposed to go with my mom to the dentist in St Pete this morning, that way we could hang out and run errands once she was done. However, I overslept.

I called her when I woke up, and she called me when she got out of her appointment. She told me that the problem with her tooth bleeding was because it was infected and dying. It's the last tooth on the top row--right next to her jawbone and sinuses. They did an X-ray and the dentist got very concerned with the way it looked. He called in his partner and they both decided it could be serious.

As in fatal.

They called up another specialist in St Pete and emailed her X-ray over and gave my mom directions to go to that facility immediately. They told her if the infection was in her jawbone or spread to her sinuses, it would be fatal. We talked so calmly about this new change of events. I told her to give the specialist and their office my number in case they needed to do anything to her today. So she hung up with me and headed over to the other specialist.

And I sat here reeling. My mom goes from having gum problems and a tooth issue--nothing too serious, right----to possibly having a fatal bone infection? All in the matter of one morning? I called and texted some friends quickly--then threw on some clothes and a shawl and headed out. I prayer-walked for about an hour on a trail here in Tampa. I felt like I was fighting, praying in the Spirit.

When you're waiting for a phone call like this, it seems to take forever.

Finally, my phone rang. It was from her cell. That doctor was off today, but he saw my mother anyway. He determined that her infection had not spread into the surrounding bones and sinus cavity yet. She will, however, need to have a root canal or the tooth pulled very soon before the infection has a chance to spread.

So, a pulled tooth or root canal vs. dying.

We were happy.
Are happy.

When my dad called from work later, she told him what had happened and they were laughing on the phone. It was so good. Such a good, good feeling to hear them laughing about this. To know that my mom is going to still be ok.

I thank God through our Savior Jesus Christ--for keeping my mom and safety. For getting this thing found out now, before it's too late. For his grace and mercy. It is so good.

You should praise the Lord for his love and for the wonderful things he does for all of us. You should celebrate by offering sacrifices and singing joyful songs to tell what he has done.
~Psalm 107: 21-22