I went 15 years without going to the dentist. 6 years without going to the doctor for a check up.
In that time, I had 2 small children, who never missed a dental check-up, and had well check-ups routinely. They were healthy and well taken care of, but I wasn’t.
I had forgotten to take care of myself.
I went to the dentist after I cracked a 35-year-old filling (yes you read 35) with the deliciousness of a bite of kettle corn. I went into the dentist with shame covering my whole body as he asked when was the last time I had been to the dentist for a checkup. He and his assistant were so kind and told me it is all too common for a mom to take care of her kiddos and not herself. Our party concluded with a new filling for my tooth (who knew they make white fillings now!).
I had been to the doc for a sinus infection from time to time. I figured I was good, even if I had a hurt or pain, I chalked it up to my age, or the fact that I had birthed 2 children, all normal stuff.
My children consumed vitamins every day, I watched what they ate and drank and made sure to teach them to make healthy choices. They ran and played and exercised. I was taking good care of my children.
I had forgotten to take care of myself.
In updating our home study for our most recent adoption, I had to have a physical. I had been to the doctor 6 years prior for a home study physical, but this time the physical was causing me some anxiety. I hadn’t been feeling well. I had been having hot flashes, knee pain, some anxiety issues, and tremendous weight gain. I didn’t want to go, but the adoption process couldn’t go forward unless the physical was completed.
I went in for lab work. and followed up with an appointment a few days later. I was devastated with the results- high blood pressure/high cholesterol/obesity all made me feel defeated.
My poor doc – she was amazing and helped me make a plan. WE decided to start with some medications and lifestyle changes and would meet in another month.
I was starting to take care of myself.
After 5 weeks, we ran the blood work again and after such a short time the numbers were better and I was on my way to a healthier me. The doc encouraged me to continue doing what I was doing and remember to take care of me.
Truth – I was afraid to take care of me, what if something serious is going on?
I am working on taking care of me; I take my meds, try to eat healthy, and listen to my body. I feel fortunate nothing more serious was wrong with me. After the appointment, I came to a realization, I was afraid. Afraid to go to the doc, afraid to find out why I am having hot flashes, afraid to find out the truth about my health. My mind races to many what-ifs. I become overwhelmed with the possibilities of what might be wrong, instead of being proactive with my health.
As moms, we put our kids and our husbands first. We make sure they are taken care of, and we do a good job.
Moms, we have got to take care of ourselves. You are worth it. You need to; people are depending on you to be healthy.
Call the dentist, don’t wait for an unfortunate accident with kettle corn, and then call your doctor, get a physical, get a pap smear, get a mammogram, take care of yourself.
This is such a necessary reminder! Sometimes I write those appointments on my to-do list, but then I always get distracted by the day to day taking care of the kids. These things are more than just important- they are vital! Glad to see you taking care of yourself!!!
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