The Fear of the Lord

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7

I've been wanting to post this video on my blog for a long time now... but now I have a fun reason to do it instead of just "hey, look at this funny video."

A few months ago, I started having some trouble with one of my wisdom teeth. I knew that I only had 2 (the lower left and upper right ones) from previous dental x-rays. It would sort of "come and go" with pain and beginning to feel like it was actually coming in. Ugh. So, finally, I could start to see the tooth, and week by week, the pain was becoming more intense. I went to see Dr. Hall (who is also a deacon at our church) - who is SUCH a great dentist... so gentle and explains things so well! Not only was the tooth coming thru, but the area was infected. So, I started a run of antibiotics and schedule a visit with the oral surgeon.

Dr. Ken Benson, in Apex, was also so great! Very kind - even all his staff... all so nice and gentle. The date was set... Friday, April 3rd.

Super Julie took me in, since I had elected to have the full sedation for the surgery. I don't handle pain very well, so this was probably best. I was a little giggly before the surgery just because I didn't really know what to expect. Boy, that was just the beginning. They started the IV and I was going to sleep. I remember feeling them start on the first tooth and expressing some pain to them... then I remember starting to cry. Within "moments" the nurse was rubbing my arm saying, "Ok, Nicole... we're all done..." I said, "But you have to do the other tooth now." They had already done it. Ha.

Then, the laughter began. I just kept laughing. I felt weird. She kept saying, "Did you like the wine? We gave you a lot of wine, Nicole." Then I saw Julie and kept laughing. I could hear them talk about getting me in the car. The nurse had wheeled me to the handicap ramp and I got myself in the car. I really don't remember much about the ride home. I know I laughed a lot and I'm fairly sure I was talking.

Julie was great. She got me in the house and I got on the couch right away. She made me some pudding and went to get my medicine's filled. Casey came over and stayed with me in the morning while I dozed and changed out my gauze hourly. Around lunch, Kristin came home from work and she hasn't left my side, really. It's been great. Heather came in and checked on me, Alicia brought me a Coke from Cary's house. Lots of folks sent me Facebook messages and even checked on me via Twitter! Love those Twitter Girls!

So, Friday went well and I was laughing off and on all afternoon. I dozed some, but the pain wasn't so bad. Once, I was chatting with a friend on IM and laughing with Kristin. She and I both thought I was fine because I was just laughing and chatting online, etc... So, she decides to leave and grab a couple of movies at Red Box. The moment the door closed behind her, I burst into tears. I have no idea why, but I was overwhelmed with the fact that I was alone. So weird!

We watched a couple of great movies, Australia and Rachel Getting Married, so I got all my crying out and went to bed around 11. So far so good.

Today, the pain has been a little more intense and the emotions come in tidal waves. I'm feeling okay, but really ready to be healed. I'm fine with the smooth food diet and feel so cared for by so many! Dan and Casey brought me some super yummy homemade mashed potatoes and Kristin has been great all day again... even made me a super good Raspberry Peach Smoothie.

Thanks so much to all my fun friends who've called, texted, emailed, Twittered and come by! It's made this process great! It's only the end of day two, of course, but I expect great things for the rest of the healing process...

Oh! And here's the video I wanted to show you. haha...