Lately I’ve been in big pain. For over a week my jaw has been hurting a lot. A doctor gave me some pain killers, but Wednesday the pain was increasing and I couldn’t sleep at night. Finally I decided to see a dentist knowing it could be really expensive here in US. A normal travel insurance doesn’t cover dentist so we were talking about me maybe fly on mileage to Norway or Bangkok for a couple days to fix it.
8 am (Thursday) I showed up at a local dentist here in Kona. They were nice and helped me out because I was in so big pain. I was told that an infection was caused by a former dentist treatment and got some pain killers and were told to see another dentist who could help me out in a week or two. Showing up at this other dentist I got a choice to wait over the weekend for an examination or I could sit in an wait to see if they could squeeze me in. Anyway, they were fully booked so the treatment couldn’t start before the end of next week.
I’m glad I chose to sit in and wait…
A couple hours later, after debating with myself if I just should leave and come back next week, it finally was my turn. A nurse helped me out with the X-ray. A couple minutes later I could hear in the background a male voice and the nurse starting talking intense. Something wasn't right. The dentist came to see me to explain what was going on and what they had to do. The first thing he said was “this is really seriously” and he continued “this is really bad”. In my head I was thinking “this is going to be really expensive” and started to asking how long I could wait and thinking about doing it back in Norway.
I could never ever have been prepared for his answer. This is what he said: “No, you can’t wait, we have to start the treatment immediately or else you can die…!!”
I couldn’t believe what I just heard and struggled to find words…
The dentist continued: “The infection is so bad and moves very fast and will soon get to your neck and then it will swell and cause you to stop breathing...”
I looked at him to see if he was joking, something that would have been very inappropriate.
From first been told that treatment couldn't start before the end of next week I now got 30 minutes to get ready for surgery. I kind of understood how serious it was when the dentist was willing to lose his flight back home to Honolulu just to help me out.
When I finally parked at campus something beautiful happen, and that’s why I’m writing this…
Suddenly my heart was filled with thankfulness. The precious gift of life became so beautiful to me. In the midst of pain and anxiety I couldn't help it, just felt to kneel down and start thanking the giver of life. No words. Not loud. Not a song. Not charismatic at all. Just a few tears from the bottom of my heart expressing thanks to Jesus. I have a life, I’m getting the help I need, I have a beautiful family and good friends, I’m living in a country with peace. I have a Father up in heaven and He is for real looking out for me!! He is faithful even if my circumstances troubles me.
Now you may think and I do so too: It wasn't that bad. A normal thing to see a dentist and get help. I didn’t die and so many other people in the world experience way more difficult stuff then I did…
Thanks God for the reminder!!
