Her smile & passion is contagious

When it all comes down to it, being a dental hygienist doesn't really save lives. Studies show that the bacteria in periodontal pockets can travel through the blood stream and cause problems, but honestly, for the most part it is not a matter of life or death if one chooses to have their teeth cleaned or not. But after practicing dental hygiene for well over 25 years I learned something new the day before yesterday.

I took a drive to the other side of the state to visit my sister-in-law who has had more than her share of health issues. Just one week after the 10 year Golden Anniversary of beating breast cancer she learned that it had returned as a result of the chemo and radiation. In our short time together that evening, I learned more about her than I had in all of the years I'd known her. She told me how important it is to have nice teeth at this stage of the game. She said that when your health is failing and you've lost everything, having a nice smile with healthy white teeth and beautifully manicured nails are the most important. She was totally serious! 

Connie is one of the sweetest people I know. If you didn't know better (and see how weak and unsteady she is) you would think she felt like a million bucks. She told me that her attitude is the ONLY thing she can control, so she is making the choice to be happy. She told me how she was asked by a nurse to talk with another patient who was struggling and that that patient died soon afterwards.

I thought I was going over there to check out her bleeding gums (caused by flossing too much~really?) but as it turns out, it was for my good. She wanted to talk with me about gene testing. She got great big tears in her eyes when she said that it's okay that she has had all of the health problems, but it would NOT be okay if it were her boys or her grandchildren. It was through those tears that I saw a glimpse of the extent of her agony at the core. It was also through those tears that I saw the deep love for her children that only a mother could comprehend. She feels strongly that if I learned that I was positive for the cancer gene I could get more frequent tests and they might be able to catch it early. It would also help her family if I knew if I had the gene. I hadn't thought about it that way. I was against the whole idea because after all, if I had it, I would deal with it. I didn't want to give any energy to it unless the time came. 

Connie is on some very heavy blood thinners that caused a tiny cut from a piece of dental floss to continue bleeding for days. The doctors told her that if she were to fall and hit her head it would be, "Game Over." I am so grateful and honored that she called me to come to the rescue. 

God is teaching me lessons every single day! I'm super glad He called me to be a dental hygienist. Please pray for this sweet woman who has Blessed my life.