Facing some fears

So I am facing 2 of my fears this week: dentists and flying.

Going to the dentist has always made me nervous. Growing up I went to the same doctor, and he definitely made it less scary. But now that I am living out in Utah, I had to find someone else. And that was scary. Especially give that last year, I hadn't had a checkup in oh...2 or 3 years? Maybe longer? So Mark and I found someone through our insurance, and went in. He seems to be an ok dentist, and it wasn't as bad as I thought. I was expecting my mouth to be full of decay, or gum disease or something. Last year, he did find a very small spot that could develop into a cavity, that he said we just needed to keep an eye on - not to the point of needing a filling or anything, but a spot that could develop into one. Kinda scary to me, but it was ok. I just really hate dental work of any kind - the whole needles in your mouth, drilling, etc....HATE it. And it causes some serious anxiousness on my part.

Fast forward a year. I used to go to the dentist every, but neglected to make an appointment 6 months later, and it had now been a full year since my last visit. Needless to say, the last couple of months I have started to have some serious anxiety about this "watch" spot, thinking it may very well be a gaping hole of decay by now. I've been driving Mark batty to try and nail a time down in his schedule, to schedule appointments for both of us. But it's a busy time of year for him, so that has not been successful so far. Finally yesterday, after a recent bout of paranoia about the deal, I buckled down and made an appointment just for myself, at 8 AM this morning (I was impressed they could get me in so soon!). I wanted to get it done with, so I quit worrying about "what's happening."

So I went, expecting him to say that that little spot of possible decay? Yeah, gaping chasm now. But to my great surprise...it hasn't changed at all. It still isn't enough to be considered a cavity, and basically has not changed since last year. Needless to say, I felt a great deal of relief upon hearing that. I also couldn't help feeling proud of myself for practicing such good hygiene this past year. Maybe regular flossing really CAN pay off!

So yeah, I've been fretting over nothing. At least for now...

I did see a guy getting a shot of novacaine today, that totally gave me the willies. GAH I hate dental work. And the only work I've really had is cavities (aside from wisdom teeth, braces, and an expander when I was little). I haven't had the joys of root canals and the like yet. I can only hope that that is a long way off, or in an ideal world, never even happens.

Ok, enough rambling about the dentist, now to flying.

Mark and I are going to Florida on Thursday. I am REALLY excited. Except for actually getting there and back. Although I know flying is the "safest way to travel" and all that jazz, it still makes me nervous as all get out. Seriously, sleeping on an airplane? Doesn't happen for me. I'm too busy getting pangs of fear on every bump of turbulance, and hoping we take off and land safely. My fear is more pronounced the longer I go in between flights, and this will be the longest flight for me in a while. My recent flights have only been to Colorado, and that takes a little longer than an hour. This will be like, 4 hours. *sigh*

I'm sure everything will be fine, but yeah...the nerves are already setting in. I don't know why I get so nervous - I mean when I was 17, I flew by myself to Germany. Over ocean. And I was totally fine. But 17 year old self can't convince current self that there's nothing to worry about. I'm just glad mark will be there with me.

Alright, this post was totally rambly and random. But maybe by getting my fears out in writing, I will feel better about them.

Or...maybe not. *shrug*

I better get my iPod charged, and some serious distraction tactics (book, Nintendo DS) ready for Thursday.