On September 4th, I went to the endodontist for what I thought would be a routine retreatment of an old root canal. It was supposed to be simple—45 minutes in and out, and I’d be back to work the next day. But what should have been a simple procedure turned into a month-long nightmare.

The next morning I woke up with my face swollen, numb one side of it, unable to open my mouth, and I was in a lot of pain. I had an appointment at the regular dentist for part two of the procedure (which ironically I was never told about).  When I got to the dentist,  I was told it was just a TMJ flare-up, and I should rest and keep taking my meds. Part two would have to be rescheduled since I could barely open my mouth. 

By the next evening, the pain became unbearable and the swelling worsened. I now had bruising on my jaw.  I couldn’t eat, I could barely talk, and it honestly felt like my mouth was literally on fire. I kept telling myself it would get better, but it didn’t. I contacted the endodontists and more meds were called in but it was the weekend, so I couldn’t be seen.

A few days later, I went back to the endodontist’s office and was told I had a severe bacterial infection- something that only 3% of patients experience (if only I had that luck playing lotto).  Because of my allergies and age, I was at higher risk, but no one had warned me about any of this before the procedure. I was reassured that the infection would subside with time, but the medications wreaked havoc on my body. I was tired, frustrated, and feeling completely worn down. Being self-employed, I had no choice but to push through the pain on good days and collapse in exhaustion on bad ones. The hardest part was disappointing my clients by canceling appointments when the pain was too much to bear.

Weeks passed, and my face was still swollen, the numbness persisted, and I couldn’t open my mouth properly. I couldn’t eat enough, leading to weakness. I had a constant headache, earache, and started getting a ringing in my ear.  I began to lose trust in the very people who were supposed to be helping me.  I honestly didn’t know how much longer I go on like this?”

One sleepless night, I couldn’t take it anymore.  I no longer cared what the endodontist said- I had to take matters into my own hands.  I finally found a new surgeon who, after looking at the films of my tooth, immediately told me it needed to be removed. The surgery was scheduled for the very next day, and for the first time in weeks, I felt a flicker of hope. The moment that tooth was removed, my symptoms immediately disappeared, and I finally started to heal.  It is now 5 days post surgery and I am feeling so much better!

The Bigger Picture: A Shift in Perspective

While I was going through this, Hurricane Helene hit western North Carolina, just a few hours away. The devastation was heartbreaking—homes destroyed, lives upended. Normally, Spiritquest plays an active role in relief efforts, offering water, charging stations, and supplies. But this time, I was in no shape to help physically or financially. It was frustrating to be stuck in my own battle, unable to contribute more than sharing information online.

That’s the strange thing about pain—it consumes your entire world, leaving little room for anything else. But seeing the devastation caused by the hurricane made me realize that, while my pain was very real, others were suffering too, and on a much larger scale. It helped me zoom out and remember that the world keeps turning, even when we feel like we’re standing still in our own struggles.

The Life Lesson: Advocacy, Patience, and Empathy

What did this journey teach me? First and foremost, you must advocate for yourself. If I hadn’t trusted my gut and sought a second opinion, I’d still be suffering today. We know our bodies better than anyone, and when something feels off, we have to listen—even when professionals assure us it’s normal. Don’t be afraid to get another perspective.

Second, healing takes time, and patience is one of the hardest things to practice. We live in a world where quick fixes are expected, but true healing—whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual—can’t be rushed. I have to keep reminding myself to be patient with myself, even when it feels impossible.

Finally, this experience reminded me of the importance of perspective. I know there are people going through their own health struggles and they are so much worse than what I have been going through.  I see the devastation from the hurricane and I know that I have a lot to be grateful for.  However, I also think we need to show ourselves grace.  Suffering is not a competition.  I can’t help but to be reminded that we’re all fighting our own battles, and there’s power in empathy—not just for others, but for ourselves too.

Final Thoughts

If you’re in a season of pain, whether it’s physical, emotional, or spiritual, know that it won’t last forever. Advocate for yourself, seek the help you need, and trust that healing will come in its own time. And when you can, take a step back to see the bigger picture. It’s easy to get lost in our own pain, but sometimes, shifting our perspective helps us find the strength to carry on.

As for me, I am looking very forward to returning to work this week. Slowly at first then I have a lot of catching up to do:) 

If you would like to donate to those who have been impacted by the Hurricane Helene here are some places to donate.  

Operation Airdrop

Moutain Mule Packers

Halo Relief