I had a toothache.
I have endured natural childbirth three times, but I swear there is something about a toothache that makes me want to give all of my children’s inheritance to the first dentist that can put me out of my misery.
The pain started innocently, with a little sensitivity. It grew to noticeable distress when crunching on almonds on that side. I began to chew on the other side. Then the mild, local throbbing started. Which moved to my entire jaw, face and finally my entire head. Cogent thoughts or being pleasant were now out of the question.
Now the bugger had my attention. Now when it was full throttle, 4 alarm pain. Taking care of my tooth moved up my priority list dramatically. Whereas it used to be below “change the batteries on the smoke detector” now it was numero uno. Clear the schedule and find a dentist. ASAP.
I find that most health issues follow this course. A little weight gain can be ignored. A twinge of chest pain? Probably indigestion. Fatigue, acid reflux, nagging aches…who has time for these things? Chew on the other side.
But when the weight gain turns into prediabetes, or the chest pain a heart attack, or the fatigue to debilitating depression–ok, now we are listening.
Why do we wait so long? Honestly, what is more important than our health? If we don’t have our health, we can’t DO all the things that seem to supercede it’s preeminence.
I had a gentleman call me to set up a consult. He had just been diagnosed with serious cancer. He kept rescheduling our appointment. The last time I talked to him, he swore he would make time soon. After this next business trip. For sure. He commented, “You’d think I would make the time to do something about changing my diet…..”
I still haven’t heard from him.
Make your health a priority.
Start with finding a good dentist.
