Dental Day and Post-op Check Up

Recently, Flora Lin went under general anesthesia for the placement of three full crowns and the treatment of over seven cavities.   Though we weren't expecting any complications, it's never easy to hand over your little one to strangers and wait.

Unless, of course, you're the sister and you get to pretend you are drinking coffee and have both parents all to yourself.  ; )

I went back with FL during the wait and was able to convince them to give her the "versed" to relax her.  She kept telling me she was scared (this was her fourth time being put under - she knew what was going on).  When they came to get her, she didn't kick and scream (she 'accepts' the separation so sadly), but kept saying, "want Mama" over and over with her signs and blurry words only her family can understand.  Every child does this I'm sure, but I know to her there is the added feeling of knowing what it is like to be forever separated from your family, times two.   I wish the medical community would be more aware and sensitive to this fear.  I'm certain they have good reasons, but it is hard for our little ones.

She is so sweet and snuggley after sedation.  That's the silver lining in all of it!

Poor thing kept asking to eat and drink.  She drank two grape juice containers, a glass of water, an applesauce squeezy, some bread and convinced the nurse to have me give her some of my coffee.  She was also named model patient of the day by the recovery nurses.  ; )

In a little over a week later, we went back for a check up.  We had nothing but progress to report.  However, there was some pain post op due to them holding her mouth open as much as possible (jaw soreness and cracking of the skin on the lips and at the corners of the mouth) as well as the removal of skin where the crowns were placed.  The anesthesiologist placed the airway tube through her throat rather than through her nose due to previous surgery on those areas.  Having to work around this in a little mouth probably resulted in more throat soreness as it was shifted and pushed out of the way, I would imagine.  The dentist said all of this was normal and everything looked good.  FL was easy to work with and proud to show off her new teeth!

Over all, it was a good experience.  We are at Baptist East for so many different things and we have always had kind and caring people working with us and a positive experience. 

 We had to take a picture to commemorate, though the sun was so bright!

Pretty good marketing scheme, don't you think?! ; )

After that appointment, we moved on to occupational therapy and physical therapy for C!

We stay busy!

But it is a very blessed kind of busy!  

Thankful I get to walk these two sweethearts through all of this as their mama!

Dentist

Since our last dental debacle, we have been searching through different options of dental care in our area.   There are many wonderful places outside of our city, but we really wanted to stay as local as possible.  I called several different places and finally re-called one office, made an appointment for one daughter, then asked about what could be done for my other child.   People are much more open to working with you when you are an investment! ; )

These were the cutest little child sized benches in the waiting area!

Charlotte was so, so, so happy to finally have her turn with the dentist.  Sam and I were allowed to go back, but it is not something they want to continue.  We'll see. ; )

In the picture above, I am asking C what a dentist looks like.  I asked FL in the picture below.  The mother and son behind them were very amused by our girls.

Here, the girls are both doing dental work on their stuffed animals...

Overall the visit went well.  C was nervous, but let them do everything they needed to do.  She has some spots on her teeth that might be stains, but we are going to watch and brush the heck out of them in the meantime.  I do give the girls gummy omega 3 vitamins (good for brain/emotional health for kiddos that haven't had optimal nutrition), and gummies are the worst.  I hate to sub the drops for this because they love their vitamins so much that they FREAK OUT if we miss them.   C even makes sure I take my vitamins and give the dog her medicine, etc......   They don't forget!

The dentist reviewed FLs X-rays and examined her teeth.  The plan is basically the same as the other dentist, but they are going to leave FLs front tooth alone at this point and not do anything reconstructive, which is fine.   She will have everything done at one of the local hospitals at one time.  I hate to put her under twice in one year, but it has to be done.  Unfortunately, the wait is long and it will not take place until the end of September.  She's started complaining of pain off and on again (She never tells me, I usually figure out that is what is bothering her), so I may see if they have a wait list to move it up.  I'm glad it's scheduled, though!

They asked me if we flossed the girls teeth.  I told them I was doing good to keep the girls clean, clothed and fed.  Surely I'm not the only parent that doesn't floss their preschoolers' teeth regularly?!  Or never?!!!

The best part was that C got her much coveted little plastic bag!  She's been weeping over not having one like "Fo'a Yin" any time she gets a little tired or cranky.  ; ).  All is right with the world now.  : )

But, good night, I don't have time to floss their teeth!  I barely get to bush my own twice a day!

Dental Didn't Happen...

Well, our dental work didn't happen.  I don't know who was more dissapointed, me, Sam, FL or C!  

I was so ready for Flora Lin to have this last little bit of pain and poor health behind her, as was Sam.  I was actually looking forward to having it done!  FL was all about the dentist since she was showered with prizes last time and had the envy of her older sister.   She was in tears thinking she had done something wrong when we left.   C was SO READY for her turn to get the prizes and especially the little plastic bag (I know, I don't understand the draw of a tiny plastic bag, either...).  She was sad to know she would have to wait a little longer.

We tried to make up for all of the dissapointment by going to get coffee and a treat together as a family.

I think one little girl was pretty happy with her consolation prize. : )

Without going into to much detail, they were 100% unwilling to let me go back with FL under any circumstances.   They also wanted to wrap her up in what was basically a restraining device.  Knowing my daughter as I do, she would be frightened by that.  Though she is three (which is still young to be without your mama, even if you didn't have any previous trauma in your life) she is emotionally MUCH younger, around 18-24 months.  I had told the hygienist before that being without me and being in a restraining device wouldn't work for my child.   I was willing to compromise in some areas, but I didn't have anyone who was willing to accept those compromises or try and gain an understanding that children with a trauma background are different.

It was hard to walk out, but I couldn't leave my child in a situation that I knew was not good for her.

We've moved on though, and have hopefully found a practice that will be understanding of my children's needs.  And, bless it, Charlotte can finally go to the dentist and get herself a little plastic bag and be happy again. (She asks about the dentist and the bag every. single. night. before bed)

We salvaged our day and had a nice one filled with coffee, bread, library story time and the grocery store. : )

You know, I'd rather go through things like this a thousand times for them than never go through it again and not have the joy of being their Mama.   They are worth it all and more.

Be in prayer for success at our next dental visit at the end of the month!   

And the precious, coveted plastic bag!  Heaven help us if they don't have one at this practice!!!

Flora Lin's First Trip to the Dentist

This little Punkin' Pie...

She did so, so well!  When I think of the surgery, shots, blood draws, X-rays, broken leg, speech therapy, physical exams and all of the other things we do and have put her through...  I am just amazed at her ability to roll with the punches.  And the physical pain this little one has had to endure (and not just from infected ears and decaying teeth)... and endure alone.  Not knowing that she even needed to be rocked to sleep at night...  That such a thing even exists...  Jerking awake and looking me in the eyes to see if I really am still there over and over...  Then finally falling into sleep.  She didn't even know she needed a mama.  And yet, she smiles, overcomes and loves!

I have been putting off the dentist forever.  Knowing that it needed to be done, but so afraid of the outcome.  I was scared that most of her teeth would be pulled and replaced with silver ones, or worse pulled and not replaced at all.   Afraid that with her just beginning to feel comfortable and pain free with her mouth and ear tubes, eating would become a pain and her anxiety would increase. Plus, with the surgery, C's medical appointments and FLs broken leg, it just seemed like one thing after another!   And how to explain the dentist, which can be such a frightening thing to a child!

Well, the decision was recently made for me.  FL was complaining of tooth pain and it was affecting her eating somewhat.  Flora Lin doesn't complain of pain.   She's tough - laughing and singing with a broken leg tough.  Playing with her sister just hours after surgery tough.   So Sam made an appointment at a friend's dental practice.

I wish I had taken pictures of my sweet girl before and during, but I was there to support her.  She was so, so brave and cooperative.  The tech was excellent, kept us moving, kept it fun and lighthearted and let me do my job of being a mama. : ).  Oh, I wish you could all see how good she did!  I was bursting with pride!

The bad news is our girl has some significant tooth decay.  It is her reflux, poor nutrition and possibly poor dental hygiene that are the culprits.  The hygienist said our brushing, letting her only have milk and water for a drink and a VERY limited amount of sugar is what has kept them from progressing any more.  Because her teeth are so fragile, we will be continuing our low/no sugar diet and milk and water only.

The gray areas on the teeth below are issues that must be addressed.   The black and red areas are severe and urgent.  Tooth "I" is the one requiring the most extensive work and will be addressed first.   

She will have the dental work done in three stages.   She will not be fully sedated, but I am going in prepared for her to react big and have to possibly resort to putting her under fully, which is fine.

The good news is that she will most likely not have any teeth pulled (unless they get in there and things are much worse than anticipated) and will only have one silver tooth (the red and black one above)!  I was so worried about this and am so relieved!

They are also going to keep an eye on her one front tooth that she uses to bite and pull food with.  It is not in good shape, but they gave us a vitamin/ mineral paste to rub on it two to three times daily.  Whatever it takes!   We are also going to continue to brush her teeth twice daily.  I'm thankful she is so great about all of the things we have to do to her on a daily basis.   She is such a tough little Warrior Princess!

For the families preparing for their child, cleft or no cleft, please get dental insurance before you adopt your child.  C's teeth look really good, but FL needs so much done.  I am thankful we added family dental to our insurance at the last minute!  I am including our estimate as an example of what may lie ahead.  Be prepared!

I need to also add how gracious and kind the dentist has been to our family.   They are giving us a big break on services.   It isn't reflected below, but, wow, what a blessing it is!

So, back to FL.  She had a cleaning, several X-rays, an exam AND got to pick some prizes.  She got a new toothbrush, a bag of goodies and a cute little bracelet that she managed to destroy an hour later (beads everywhere, everywhere in my car).  She was very excited to show it all of to Charlotte, who turned green at the sight of the lovely bracelet and plastic bag.  She heard all about how FL got her teeth brushed with a tickle brush, nailpolish painted on her teeth (tooth varnish), vanilla flavored medicine for her teeth, a new toothbrush, a rare bracelet and pictures taken of her mouth with a special camera, all while playing with a pie-pad (iPad )!!!!   C was. not. happy.  Previously, she was reminding us that she didn't have to go to the dentist.  Just Flora Lin.  Her tune has changed now!

C is my more expressively fearful child, so we haven't pushed a dental visit.  She also has been brushing her teeth since before we met her and they look to be in great shape.  We were going to put off a visit as we didn't want to traumatize her, but by the end of the day she was almost in tears, saying over and over, "Mama, weady!  Weady fo' dentist!   Weady, pease!   Shawyotte bag, pease!"

Who knew that a little plastic bag would mean so much?!

All in all I am pleased and relieved.  I am a little apprehensive about the upcoming procedures for FL, so would you please pray for our family and our Warrior Princess, Flora Lin?

* pray that the dentist will allow me to come back with FL

* pray for minimal anxiety and pain for sweet FL

* pray that all goes as smoothly as possible

* and I'm sure Charlotte would like a prayer that she gets to go and get a bag as soon as possible!

Thank you!