My little sweet Asher is also a bruiser. He is 30 pounds and thinks it is hilarious to jump on your guts when you aren't paying attention. Last week, Izzy and I watched a movie and we were laying on our bellies on the ground when all of the sudden I thought I had died. Turns out, a tiny Sumo wrestler had snuck over and body slammed me on my back knocking all of the wind out of me. Of course both boys found it to be the most hilarious thing ever. I laughed too...when I was able to breathe again.
Today, I got a head butt to the jaw. He didn't do it in a mean way, but sometimes when he wants to snuggle, but doesn't want a kiss he will put his head on your face, this just happened when I wasn't paying attention...and it was fast! As soon as it happened, I freaked, I couldn't help it. Something so simple and unintentional could RUIN MY LIFE!
In October of 2006, a simple dental cleaning turned into an emergency surgery situation. After High School, my dentist found a tiny spot on my jaw. After a specialist reviewed the x-rays, I was told it wasn't worth messing with it, and to have it checked during my routine cleanings. Cut to 2006, when they did just that. Only, the x-rays showed the tumor had grown from smaller than a pencil eraser to the entire right side of my jaw, from joint to the opposite side of my chin. It was pushing my jaw bone out and the bone was paper thin. Exact words of my oral surgeon were if I had eaten something like an olive, my jaw could have exploded and there isn't a surgery that can fix that. Within 5 days, I had a biopsy and had to prepare my family and my little 15 month old Izzy for my life saving surgery. The surgeon had to open my jaw, clean all of the tumor out while another surgeon simultaneously did a bone graph from my hip to replace the bone the tumor had dissolved. This was a very scary time for me, having a little one at home and hearing the Doctors tell me that I needed to write letters to my family, because any type of oral surgery is the quickest way to infection and death. If everything went well, I needed to prepare to be on bed rest and a fluid diet for at least 2 months which as a Mom you know is nearly impossible. He told me that if I were to get an infection, it could be uncontrollable and it could eventually ruin all of the work done during surgery and literally kill me. Surgery was a huge success. I believe it was a 7 hour surgery, and my poor Doc worked harder than ever to save me as I made him promise I would see my family again. Well, of course, it doesn't end there because I ended up getting the most horrific infection ever. Every single day for 9 months, I went into the oral surgeons office to get my jaw reopened, cleaned, medicated, and gauzed. It was torture. Thinking about the pain, literally brings tears to my eyes. To that point, I had never even had a cavity before so going from almost no dental care to daily dental work was like my worst nightmare. We changed medications constantly to keep up with the ever-changing infection. At the end, I was almost put on a IV antibiotic daily for 2 hours. That was my last chance to beat the infection. I was mentally, emotionally and physically worn out. I was so sick of getting work done and medications and not being able to enjoy something as simple as eating a soft food. My family, friends and church rallied in prayer and my miracle happened. The week before I was to be sent for the daily hospital antibiotics, during my daily visit the Doctor found that the infection was completely gone. Day before...still in effect. That day nothing! It was amazing! He couldn't believe it and after everything...I almost couldn't either. It was such a relief. I continued visits, but not as frequently as we waited for my open wound to heal. Finally, it had healed enough and I was declared well! I can't really remember much of that year that doesn't revolve around appointments, medications, crying and pain. But, I do remember, all of the faith of my friends and family. My awesome brother for quitting his job to care for my son full-time while I healed. The most loving husband you could ever imagine as he worked full-time, attended school and took care of a very sick wife and baby on his off hours. My dear friend Amanda helped with Izzy during every single visit for 6 months. The people in my circle are amazing. I couldn't have gotten through such a grueling year without them.
My life returned to a new normal fairly quickly. I have to be very careful with my jaw of course, and my worst fear is to get into a car accident and be hit with an air bag. I will never be able to eat a caramel apple or a big juicy steak. Not to mention, I feel like a 100 year-old woman in the winter with my arthritis like symptoms, but eh, small sacrifices to see your babies grow up.
So when my little Sumo decided to snuggle a little too hard today, I had a flash back. What life used to be like, and how I need to be ultra-careful to avoid that happening again. I am amazed at all of the work God has done in my life. The last 5 years have been more than my mind can understand, but God has been my provision, my healer and restoration. I am so grateful to have my health, so that I can enjoy my little boys every single day. I am just hoping I can train my little Asher to be a little softer with his snuggles, otherwise, I am going to have to buy some headgear.
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