What Could Go Wrong?

 When it comes to being Caroline's mom, I have learned to expect and even plan for the unfathomable.  She has a way of making absolutely everything exciting. With a lot of coaching I have come to realize it is so much better to enjoy the ride than to freak out that the destination, time and date have all changed. (Note: this is not a Welcome to Holland reference or maybe it is--you decide.)

Our last exciting adventure took place yesterday. A fun filled trip to the dentist.  Now a trip to the dentist can be overwhelming for any child but for Caroline it is almost unbearable.  I was lucky to find an awesome special needs dentist, Dr. Jacqueline Beard. Not only was the dentist awesome but the entire staff was kind and understanding.  When we arrived, it was just me and the ladies in the waiting room. Naturally, they acted like they owned place.  Caroline squealed with delight when she spotted the large fish tank.  I love when she makes this high pitch sound because I know she is euphoric; however, to some who are not accustomed to this particular sound they might be checking to make sure that glass is not shattering. So while Caroline is expressing her joy, Vivian has appointed herself Princess-Queen in charge of the playhouse.  Very quickly the Princess-Queen needs to use the bathroom.  Unfortunately, Caroline has moved on from enjoying the fish to standing at the top of slide in the playhouse, trying to decide if she should come down. Mind you the slide is carpeted so it is a completely new experience---this decision could easily take 20-30 minutes.  A member of the office saw my predicament and offered to watch Caroline while I ran Vivian to the bathroom.  

When we returned it was our turn to head back to the dentist.  Caroline was still hanging out at the top of the slide. I tried to climb from the bottom of the slide to get Caroline but I failed miserably.  The hygienist was so patient and even tried to hide her smile at my failed attempts. I finally pulled out my phone and used that lure Caroline out of the playhouse down the stairs.  

Caroline trying decide if she should
come down the slide. Vivian attempting
to climb the slide after my failed attempt.

Now for the fun. Caroline climbs in the dentist chair. Notice there is no picture because she did not stay long. As the dentist approached wearing scrubs and latex gloves, Caroline let a scream that shook the building. Not deterred the dentist instructed me to hold Caroline in my lap and then suggested in addition to the bear hug--I am very familiar with--that I wrap my legs around Caroline to further trap her.  Now the dentist does a a skillful job of getting into Caroline's mouth--remember Caroline has both STRONG oral aversions and is a HUGE sensory seeker, especially orally.  In other words she only wants things in her mouth that she puts there and she has been know to bite.  Dr. Beard was fearless as she did her exam.  

The findings sadly evoked fear in my heart.  One of Caroline's molars has such a large cavity that part of the tooth is missing.  So she needs to go under general anesthesia to have a crown put on that tooth, have x-rays done, a cleaning, and other restorative work that is necessary.  I know my dental plan only covers 50% for major dental--but I was relieved to learned that children's crowns cost a lot less than adult crowns. Additionally, Caroline can have a ton of labs drawn while she under anesthesia. And Dr. Beard resisted the urge to lecture me about the importance of dental hygiene for my child with major sensory issues.   

As the dentist is trying to explain all this to me, Caroline is running around the treatment area pressing every button she can find. At that the dentist suggested Caroline and I retire to the reception area while Vivian had her teeth examined.  Caroline was playing in the playhouse while the office staff was explaining the process for scheduling the surgery.  All of sudden I see Caroline reaching into a woman's purse. Yes, Caroline was trying to get her phone. I start walking toward Caroline and the mother stopped me, "No, no don't worry about her, she is fine."  About two minutes later, I hear the woman scream, "Lord NO, STOP, STOP!" I look behind me to see Caroline with the woman's keys in her hand running quickly toward the electric socket.  

Notice Caroline with one shoe...yes
the picture is blurry because she was
moving that quickly the entire time we
were at the office--except when she was
deciding if she should slide or not.

I grabbed Caroline, the woman grabbed her keys. I apologized and made a joke. The dentist came running to the reception area and offered her assistance.  I asked if she was interested in keeping Caroline overnight for observation...the offer was declined. To tell you the truth I don't it was even really considered.  

I finished getting the ladies together--which included putting their shoes back on because Caroline ALWAYS takes off her left shoe and Vivian decided to take off both shoes because Caroline did--shoes on and we head out the door.  Yes, it was POURING.  I just looked behind me, to the left, to the right...nope there were no hidden cameras this was really happening.  

But we made it home, we survived a trip to the dentist and Dr. Beard is even keeping us a patients.  All is good in the world.  Now, if I wasn't Caroline's mom I would have freaked about 12 times during this experience. But since, I am Caroline's mom I was happy Caroline did not cause the poor woman in the waiting room a heart attack, we did not scare off  Dr. Beard, and that the cost for this procedure is going to minimal compared other medical expenses. As Caroline's mom, I have learned to be thankful for things that would have put me the fetal position before becoming Caroline's mom--so thank you, Caroline for making more appreciative.