The Day I Swallowed My Retainer

(image source)

I wish I could tell you that this story is from my childhood, back in the days where being naïve and dramatic were somewhat excused by age. However, this event is from last June, when I (a 36-year-old woman) swallowed my retainer.

Let’s set the scene: I’ve had extensive work done. Oh. You want more of an explanation? Ok. I’ve had multiple dental surgeries, two sets of braces, three (or is it four?) front teeth replaced, and multiple gadgets added and removed over the years. This mouth is a piece of work! When I was about 17, my dental team installed an 20 gauge wire on my bottom teeth with high hopes that it would hold all that hard work in place. And it did…for a while. I noticed last June that my retainer had been kinda loose. A little wiggly. I’m not sure why eating a frozen banana in this state seemed like a reasonable course of action, but, well…it was June and it was hot. I didn’t notice the retainer was missing until after I had completely finished it. The banana: gone. The retainer: also gone. Logic told me that either I was a dribbling idiot where small orthodontic appliances could fall out of my mouth without my notice OR that I was an anaconda and could eat an entire piece of 20 gauge wire without chewing or flinching. After a few minutes of frantic searching, I knew I had to call my dentist.

Me: “Hi. This is Kim. I need to make an appointment to replace my permanent retainer.”

Office Worker #1: “Ok. When would you like to come in?”

Me: “Oh, um, soon. Hey! Crazy question. What would happen if I, um, swallowed the retainer?”

Office Worker #1:”Wait. What?”

Me: “Haha. Yeah. I think I swallowed it while eating a banana today. Is that bad?”

Office Worker #1: “I’ll be right back.”

Me: …

Office Worker #1: “The doctor says you need to go the ER.”

Me: “Greaaaaat!”

That’s honestly how it went. I really didn’t want to go to the ER, so I did the next best thing. I packed my kids, called my husband, and went to the Urgent Care to get an x-ray. They refused. Apparently, getting diagnosed with a sharp foreign object in your digestive tract is only helpful if that aforementioned object can then be successfully removed by a team of qualified individuals. UC just wasn’t up to the task.

At the ER, my husband graciously picked up the kids so I could enjoy my embarrassment with a little peace and quiet. I checked in and waited to be called back. It wasn’t long. My nurse a was fresh-faced chatterbox. She brightly welcomed me and asked what brought me in today. I told her.

Nurse: “Oh! Don’t feel silly! I once swallowed a finishing nail.”

Me: “Wait. What?”

You would think that if she brought it up, it would be one of those stories that ended well (you know, to comfort me). It wasn’t. After a wild and epic tale of medical incompetency and a perforated large intestine, she said, “Don’t worry! I’m sure you’ll be fine. It wasn’t this hospital!”

Me: “Greaaaaat!”

I was trying not to picture my stomach, small intestines, or large intestines. I tried to avoid thinking about how narrow it could get, how snaggy it could get and certainly tried to avoid thoughts of pain. The x-rays were quick and easy. It could have been faster if I had taken them up on their offer for a wheelchair, but I felt it was important to walk chest held high…my last attempt at dignity.

I had been faithfully updating my husband regularly at this point. You need to understand that my husband is a dry-humored, logic-centered, Engineer-type. He is unflappable. The past fourteen years of marriage to me have set his expectations to Kim-level, and this was all par-for-the-course in his world. While I waited for my scan results, he called me up.

Jeff: “Hey, Kim. How are things going?”

Me: “Just waiting. I feel so silly.”

Jeff: “M-hmm…. I’m sending you a picture.”

Me: “Ok.”

Jeff:

There on my phone screen was the retainer.

I died. My humiliation was nearly complete. All that was left was to wait for the doctor to come in. It wasn’t three minutes later. She hustled into my room and started speaking before she had even shut the door behind her.

Dr.: “Hi. Um, your results are in.”

Me: “Let me guess…”

It was awkward. So, so awkward. After explaining that I was a retainer-dribbling idiot, she seemed almost as eager to get me out of there as I was to leave. I signed my paperwork and made my escape.

We live in a relatively tight-knit area of the Southwest. It isn’t uncommon at all to see people you know out and about. You just hope you run into them on a good day. This wasn’t one of those good days. As I scurried out of the hospital, I heard my name being called. Darn it! I turned to see our family pediatrician grinning at me. Darn it more! She also happens to be a family friend.

Me: “Oh, hi!”(imagine forced cheerfulness)

Dr. B: “Is everything ok? What are you doing here?” (she’s not buying the cheer)

Me: “Well….” I proceed to tell her that I swallowed my retainer, but then I really didn’t, and I had to get x-rays. I start laughing, and to my relief, so did she.

Dr. B: “You know its funny.”

Me: “What?”

Dr. B: “You are the third person this week who has swallowed a foreign object. Of course, they were all under the age of 3.”

Me: “Greaaaat!”

–Kim

We’re Back!

It has been nearly a decade since we last visited this site. Babies have been born (collectively, we have added 5 more children to our ranks!) Homes and lives have shifted. There has been sweetness and sorrow. Through it all, the Lord has been so very good.

Walk Like A Man…

Tags

first steps, spina bifidia, walker

It is so easy to compare our kids to others. Last year, I was at a baby bounce hour at our local library.  A energetic mama came in with her super cool running stroller, slim never-had-a-baby physique, and a little 12-month old dude on her hip. We were going through all the niceties of new introductions. I said, “How old is your little guy?” She laughed, hiked him up a little higher and said, “He is 12 months old.” then quickly added, “He isn’t walking yet.” I smiled back, held up JAK and said, “Well…he is 14 months old, and he isn’t even crawling!” I grinned a little bigger. She looked bewildered, and I offered no explanation.

It is a hard lesson I have had to learn being JAK’s mommy: stop the comparisons. Every baby, whether or not they have any sort of developmental delay, is operating on their own time table. And as much as it pains us, we can’t force them to do anything until they are ready.  The truth is that JAK has challenges, but I refuse to apologize for him.  I will celebrate his accomplishments, and strive to provide him every opportunity for him to succeed. I will embrace his uniqueness, and tell him that he has everything he needs to complete the amazing plans God has in store for him.  I will only compare him to himself, and boy oh boy, is he a wonder! You wanna see how far he has come? Take a peek… 

 

(That’s daddy singing in the background…he had no idea I would be posting this video-haha!)

Thank you, Lord, for bringing my little guy so far. Next step…running!

 

-Kim

31 Days of Prayer for Your Husband: Day 15

Tags

31Days of Prayer for Your Husband, devotional, Fatherhood

DAY 15: FATHERHOOD

Sometimes I am in awe of how easily my husband falls into the role of fatherhood. JAK adores him and asks about him constantly during the day. I repeatedly say, “J, you know Daddy is at work. He will be home later.” Now, JAK has stopped asking and just says, “Daddy work! Daddy work!” So cute.

Parenting is a first-time event for both of us, and as JAK gets older, I want to make the most of every opportunity to provide godly wisdom and truth. As a family, we have been really considering what it means to have a Christ-centered home. It takes effort and being very intentional. JAK is going to relate to Daddy as the spiritual leader and role model. I want to support my guys in every way. So, here is my prayer for my husband in his fatherhood role.

Dear Lord,

Thank you Lord, that you have given my husband the desire to be a godly parent and to rear our son to be a Christ-follower. I pray that You would give him insight and wisdom, and that he would use every opportunity to direct JAK towards You. I pray that Your Word would be his guide (Ephesians 6:4), and that he would let his instructions be edifying and not destructive or discouraging (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). I pray that my husband would be able to demonstrate his deep love for our son by appropriate discipline and rebuke (Proverbs 13). I pray that he would be a role model to JAK as a Christ-follower and the leader of our home. I pray that he would have integrity and consistency so that JAK knows that his daddy is the same man at work as he is at home. I pray that my husband would demonstrate to JAK how to be a good steward of finances and to understand that everything we have is from You (Proverbs 13:22). I thank you for all of the resources You have provided us in Your word, and the fantastic support system of friends and family. May You guide us as parents and let us not become lazy but always alert and intentional as we guide our family. Thank you, Lord.

Amen

“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)

“Fathers, do no embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” Colossians 3:21 (NIV)

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 13:11-12 (NIV)

“Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” Proverbs 13:24 (NIV)

“A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and household well. Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 3:12-13 (NIV)

“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous”  Proverbs 13:22 (NIV)

 

 

JAK’s Summer Adventures

Tags

cognitive development, discipline, discipling special needs kids, JAK, physical development, spina bifida, vacation

JAK is 21 months now and he is becoming more of his own little person every day. I caught him yesterday singing I Knew You Were Trouble by Taylor Swift. Except, it was the goat scream version.  It went something like this, “Bubble, Bubble, Bubble. AHHHHHHHHH! Bubble.” We died laughing. His version of singing varies between monotone, under-the-breath babbling to loud, Gregorian-like humming.

If you are curious about goat-scream version, go to Google and type in “Screaming Goat Featuring Taylor Swift.” You will not be sorry.

Discipline

Disciplining a child with special needs gets much easier when you realize that he did ____________(insert toddler crime here) on purpose. JAK is smart, thank you, Lord. This mental prowess comes with all the normal mischief and missteps of exploring the boundaries; thus, we have adopted “The Corner.” This is the area in our living room that is just outside of the master bedroom. He only gets placed in the corner for 1-2 minutes after committing some a egregious act like pulling at Daddy’s glasses or hitting mommy in the face…again. I am terrible at keeping a straight face, especially when he keeps trying to crawl away with that teasing grin flashing at me from across the room. Occasionally, being sent to the corner is met with big, angry tears, and repeated wails of, “DADDYYYYY!” Keeping a straight face then is pretty near impossible.

Physical Development

JAK has all but given up his primary mode of mobility (rolling) in lieu of something much more efficient (and less dizzying I’m sure)…the army crawl! He gets his hands and legs engaged and he is off! We are working towards getting him strong enough for traditional crawling, which is closer than ever. He also has a  walker on loan from his ECI physical therapist, but he is much more interested in playing with all of its knobs and parts than using it to walk. He has, though, started to pull himself into the standing position! Praise God!

Cognitive Development

We went to the neurologist the other day. It was the first time he has seen JAK since our last MRI in June. He told us that JAK’s scan shows some unusual brain abnormalities, some of which we were aware, others we were not. Here is the kicker, he said that the baby he sees in person is completely different than JAK’s scans and paperwork.  JAK can cross the midline of his body, act and react appropriately, and his language is pretty close to being on target. Even the doctor, without even mentioning the Lord, was testifying to the work that He was doing in JAK’s life. This kiddo is a miracle! Just to make sure we stay on top of his development, we are adding another therapist once a month who will oversee his overall progress. After just one visit with her and a few learning tools, JAK has already been able to complete a puzzle with shapes and his voluntary language skills have vastly improved as well! We are so excited to watch him grow and develop.

Vacation

JAK and I went for a little trip with my side of the family month to West Texas. Daddy had to stay home and reel in the bacon. The conditions at our family cabin are, um, economy-style if not down-right primitive. Concrete floors, no AC, and nothing but aluminum siding between you and the rest of the world. The big improvement to our humble abode this year was…wait for it…a wooden door to the bathroom. Yup! We have been staying there for at least four generations with nothin’ but a breezy sheet between the outside world and our personal bizniz. All in all, it was a blast and JAK played like he had never seen dirt in his life.

Too bad that we all managed to contract some vicious stomach bug that spread like wildfire, and was friendly enough to hitch a ride home and spread the love to our friends and families, too. Yup, to date, 15 people have contracted the bug. FIFTEEN! Other than that, it was a great trip!

More updates, soon!

Kim

Box-Model Perms and the Frizz Ball Bangs

Tags

bangs, funny stories, hair, hairspray, heather, perms

Once upon a time, I loved hairspray. I must have seen someone with outstanding bangs that had a flip wave at the top and went over their forehead like a rainbow and with just a few wispy tendrils laying beautifully just so on the forehead. Remember the look?

(No, this is not our family, but they do beautifully illustrate my point…source)

Here is what all six of us kids looked like then.

 

(I am bottom right hand corner. Yes, there is so much that could be said about this picture…hmmm.)

The only real way to get that envious hair height was the perm. Perms were a big deal back in the day (ha!) and I totally fell into the “I think perms are cool” group. I would daydream about my slightly wavy hair becoming a radiant curly masterpiece. I just knew that if I got that perm my hair would look amazing! Curls just flowing and falling right as they should. The whole process of getting a perm is rather stinky and messy. There is nothing glorious about it…you would think just by the smell alone it would be a deterrent of some kind and a warning that the picture on the box is not how it will actually look. I happily suffered through the stench and the mess because I knew it would be different for me, and that my hair would look just like the model on the box. Well about two hours later there I would stand in front of the mirror, crying. Crying because reality sunk in and dreams came crashing down in the form of frizz balls. My bangs looked like poodle hair…ugly. My hair would eventually grow out and the frizz balls would subside along with all the bad memories…and so, whole ordeal would start again stench, tears, and unrealistic box-model hair. Better luck next time, right?

 

 

Big News for One Bennett Girl!

Tags

engagement, kate, wedding

Well, every last Bennett girl is officially spoken for…yup, Kate is engaged!

His name is Josh. We think he is wonderful, and so good for Kate. Here he is washing his future-bride’s feet, such a picture of his heart of service and dedication to love her as Christ loves the Church.

He involved the whole family in his proposal. He set up a scavenger hunt where each family member met her at different meaningful locations around town. Each of us was given a special opportunity to pray over Kate, encourage her, and chat for a bit before giving her the next clue to a new location.

I guess those grins give it away…she said yes! Don’t they make a beautiful couple?

 

Congratulations, Kate & Josh! We are so excited for and thrilled to watch you choose to serve the Lord through this union! Love you guys!

P.S. We sincerely hope that none of the other sisters are pregnant for your wedding (Yup. Three fourths (that’s 75%!) of the Bennett weddings, one of the sisters has been very pregnant. It makes for a lot of teary-eyed laughter and the inevitable emergency dress repair. Haha!)

Photo Copyright: 2013, Matt Johnson

Purpose in Disability?

Tags

Childhood illness, Disabilities, Scripture, spina bifida, Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18

When I worked in the hospital, my very first patient was a man who had a severe childhood injury. Complications from that injury eventually led to surgery that left him handicapped beyond anything I could have imagined. I felt pity for his loss, anger for his suffering, and grief for missed opportunities and experiences. Questions kept pouring through my head…

I questioned if his life was really worth living.

I know. It is not my place to judge, but sometimes you can’t help thoughts that well up. I ended up speaking with my dad about it, a very wise man.  He said something I will never forget.

“Kim, every person, EVERY person, is made in the image of God. It is this fact that makes us valuable and precious.”

That was before I had a special needs baby.  When we found out that JAK had Spina Bifida, all those uncomfortable, faith-challenging thoughts came back in full force.  Why was JAK made “flawed?”  Why would God allow suffering in someone so very small and helpless? Would his life really be worth living? Then the Lord started to show me some scripture…in Jeremiah of all places. No, it wasn’t Jeremiah 29:11, I had even forgotten that verse was in Jeremiah! Nope, He showed me Jeremiah 1:5,

“Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: ^‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations’” (NKJV).

God calls our children to a purpose even before they are born. He made them, and He knew exactly how JAK was formed. Our children are valuable and full of purpose.  Even those kids who have special needs. Maybe especially for those kids.  Long before JAK came into this world, I had to surrender my sweet son into the hands of our Gracious Father. JAK’s life would never be in vain, whether he lived a moment or a million years.

JAK at 18 months.

I want to share a few stories that have showed me about the preciousness of our special needs children:

‘Thomas’

I know a family whose firstborn baby was diagnosed in utero with Trisomy 13.  The couple decided to carry their son to term, even though the prognosis was terminal. Their handsome little man lived only for a short while after birth. You know how daddy reacted? He said,

“‘Thomas’ wasn’t created for this world…he was made for heaven.”

‘James’

When JAK was born, he was placed in a bassinet in the NICU next to a beautiful little 4-month old baby boy, “James.” He had a shock of wild, curly black hair and sweet round cheeks.  His mother couldn’t come every day, but when she did, she would lean down and whisper lovely things into his ear.  One day, my husband was with JAK and I was away resting.  James’ mother was reading scripture over her little son, and my husband spoke up and welcomed her to read it a little louder. Well, she got between the boys’ beds and began praying and reading scripture over the both of them. When she was done, she bent over her baby’s curly head and said,

“James, you did that. Because of you, I got to do that.”

Shortly after we were discharged, James left this world to be with Jesus.  James had a purpose. He certainly blessed our life, and I will never forget him.

Kayli

One more story I would like to share. This is a story about Kayli, a sweet little miracle who has defied the odds by being a 4-year-old with Trisomy 18, a diagnosis that is “incompatible with life.” Read about her story here. When her mother was advocating early on for Kayli’s right to survive, she wrote this about her experience:

“I started asking everyone around Kayli to ‘take something from Kayli’.  There seemed to be an abundance of medical professionals and people surrounding her, who wanted her to die.  Instead of fighting them, I started telling them, ‘Kayli is here for a reason.  If you really want her to die…then you need to take something from her.  Take medical knowledge of Trisomy, take a stronger faith, take love…take…something… so she can fulfill her purpose.’  I left it all in their hands.  Every person who met Kayli, was told to take something from her.  After the odd looks, I would explain her mission.  She is a child of God, and is with us for a purpose.  All I ask, is that you Take Something From Kayli.  Take something from her, so she can serve her purpose, have eternal peace, and leave an everlasting testimony of God’s love for her and all other ‘imperfect’ children.  Take Something from Kayli…. now I ask, have YOU taken something from Kayli?” Source: http://trisomy18.blogspot.com/2013/04/kaylis-first-year-of-life.html

The fact is that God NEVER makes mistakes.  Each child was created with a purpose. They are fearfully and wonderfully made, and they reflect the glory of God.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14 (NIV)

I would encourage people to check out the book, Just the Way I Am: God’s Good Design in Disability by Krista Horning. It is an incredible resource for any kid questioning how God made them.

God bless,

Kim

In the Past 26 Days

The past 26 days since our last post on the5bennettgirls have been pretty busy. There are some things that have happened behind the scenes, and I thought I would give you a quick run-down:

1. JAK got really sick with an ear infection that caused his temp to skyrocket to 105.6. Yep…scary. He is okay now, but he lost some ground with his physical therapy and he lost a good chunk of weight.

You can see him here with his braces and shoes on standing at the chair. I love his little thigh rolls…we have worked hard for them!

2. I am a new couponer!

I have always wanted to coupon, but it takes a lot of time and dedication. I shop with my huge three ring binder filled with coupons now, and I love it.  Ahhh, the thrill of saving money! It does take a ton of time, though. So be forewarned! If anyone is interested in becoming some an “Extreme Couponer” or some variation thereof, check out this site:

http://thekrazycouponlady.com

3. I attended a seminar called “Understanding the Gut Brain: Stress, Appetite, Digestion & Mood” by Merrily Kuhn, RN, CCRN (r), PhD, ND, PhD. Over the next few months, I will likely put up some highlights of this very informative talk. I can’t wait to share!

4. Easter came and went

We spent Easter with my in-laws. It was crazy to say the least. My husband got sick and we were EXTREMELY late to church. Fortunately, we still got to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! HE IS RISEN!

 5. We redid our front flower beds!

Before:

After:

So much better!

CELEBRATION!

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of JAK’s last shunt placement. We had been in the hospital three weeks at this point last year, and we were eager to get our little guy home.

May the Lord be praised for the incredible work that He has completed in JAK’s life.

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father, There is no  shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail  not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

“Great is Thy faithfulness!” “Great is Thy  faithfulness!“   Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I  have needed Thy hand hath provided—     “Great is Thy  faithfulness,” Lord, unto me!

Source:  http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/19#ixzz2PbWOFHee

~Kim

Do gumballs really grow on trees?

Tags

childhood memories, father daughter relationship, gumball trees, Humorous stories, sweetgum trees

I was a very literal child.I believed the facts just as they were told to me. One warm summer evening I was in the front yard with my dad while he was watering the yard. I saw these round things on the ground that had prickles on them. I asked him what they were and he said, “gumballs from the gumball tree.” Well! That is all he needed to say! We had gumballs all over the lawn and I wasn’t about to let them go to waste! I begin to gather them wondering the whole time how they would taste and if they were REALLY gumballs, but Dad said they were, so I believed him. After gathering a bunch of gumballs. I brought them over to my dad and showed him my bounty. He asked why I had gathered them and I said because they were gumballs! He then re-explained to a very disappointed little girl that they were not really gumballs that was just the name of the type of seed and they were round like a gumball.

 I still pretended that they were real.

And now, the rest of the story…

So, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the Sweetgum tree, here is what an actual “gumball” looks like.

Yea. I’d like to chew on that a while. Hmmm.

This spikey little guy is the fruit of the tree, and it hold up to 50 seeds! A fun little fact: in the past, its sap has been used to make chewing gum! (Source).

I GUESS GUMBALLS REALLY DO GROW ON TREES!

Contributing image sources: microsoft clip art and here; Sweetgum tree and “gumball” source.