Please Pardon My Absence

Sorry to have left you all without any fun, new tales of adventure from the Worthingtons here recently. I have been struck down for the past couple weeks with one heck of a sinus infection that will JUST NOT LET UP. Ah, the pregnant nose. Having been fortunate enough to have evaded these dreaded beastly infections until now, I was trying to hang on in hopes it would clear itself up on its own. I sought out some au naturale suggestions for treatment, but probably not soon enough. I think I came a little late to the game in learning about these little bizarre gems known as neti pots. Have you all heard of them? In case you too have been left in the dark, I found a little video that shows you what they do, because who doesn't love a good nasal cleaning on a Sunday morning?



I will add to the video that I have learned it's all about the tilt. You have got to tilt your head just the right way or the liquid will flow into your mouth (trust me, you will thank me if you do in fact try this) I actually think that if I had started this process when I first felt the infection coming on, I may have been able to nip it in the bud, because these little guys really do help clear you out!

Ironically, I actually didn't even know that I had a sinus infection; I thought I had a really severe toothache. So, off I went to see my dentist. You all know my dentist, right? We have a very special relationship :) In fact, here is a photo from a previous visit I made to see my dentist.

So he got me in right away! I was just sure they were going to have to extract a tooth the thing hurt so bad! After my nerves performed quite strangely on diagnostic tests (basically I wasn't responding to the feeling of electrical current on my tooth), an endodontist was brought in. He suggested that while it was possible that the source of my problem was my needing a root canal (um, hello? I have never even had a filling!!), I most likely had a sinus infection! So there you go!

Well, in the interest of drawing out this story about my nasal passages even longer, I will tell you what happened next: Many days of woe followed. There was much, MUCH pain in my jaw, head, sinuses, you name it. Chewing food was not appealing (so I got to know Smoothie King in a new way). My midwife and I discussed my going on an antibiotic, which if this were pregnancy #1, I probably would have been just fine with, but seeing as how I have a little one with a whole host of confusing allergies, we are trying to play it really safe with what I put in my body. So, I waited. Thought the cold was better and we were on our way to health! However, my jaw still hurt everday. We entertained the thought of the pain being a side effect of TMJ syndrome. (recent dental x-rays have revealed that I apparently now grind my teeth at night...never used to do that...sad that life is more stressful now I guess?) I thought I might go visit my dentist again (I like excuses to do that) to have a mouth guard made. But then I felt like ANOTHER cold was coming on....so I broke down and asked for the antibiotic. Have been on it for a couple days...there is still the dreaded jaw pain happening (and other cold symptoms of which I will spare you the graphic details). I am praying I start to feel better soon!

And now I would like to thank the three of you that read that. You are probably regretting the last several minutes of your life you just wasted reading about my nasal passages. I promise my next post will not leave you feeling this way (well, maybe it will, but I will try my best.)