Sorry, Charlie. I have the ruby slippers and I hope your hot air balloon takes you far away

I called our original pediatric dentist this weekend to try to get arranged the fix to the eldest's cavity.  He has been complaining all week about his tooth, and now says a different area hurts as well.  The thing is...with sensory issues, his pain tolerance is extremely high...so anything to hurt him, has to be excruciating to the average Joe.

The call into Dr. Pediatric Dentist was the typical struggle of explanations, justifications, call backs, tears, and pleas.  I'll post about the details tomorrow, but where I left off...'Let me call Dr. Wonderful Dentist before we do anything, so I can get up to speed.'  Uh, up to speed?  There really hasn't been anything done, but I have faith in you, Dr. Pediatric Dentist...and I hope to hear back from you this week.

In the meantime, my anger ensues about Dr. Wonderful Dentist.  One of the things Dr. Pediatric Dentist's office said "We don't know anything that is going on, we haven't gotten one letter from Dr. Wonderful Dentist."  Yes - I know...he sucks.  He has been nothing but the Man Behind the Curtain, the Wizard of Oz fooling everyone of his 'greatness.'

So, for 7 months we had the promise of a resolution to my eldest's teeth and we have gotten no where but directions to take the long way down the yellow brick road, ending at the Emerald City.  What we found though, was the curtain...and the man...'just a man' behind that curtain.  All this time because of Dr. Wonderful Dentist's promise, it seems like everyone wants him to 'continue' to take the lead.  Well, I now realize, standing here with the broomstick in my hand, it is still me with the power to do it all.  I have the ruby slippers and it is time for me to continue the trek to the right path.

I'm watching you float away in the hot air balloon, Dr. Wonderful Dentist, just like in the movie.  We may run into each other at some point again...and I will smile at you.  But when I click away in my ruby heels, I will secretly hope you have more guilt on your shoulders than you can bear.  I don't really wish you ill-will, but I wouldn't mind you having many, many nightmares of a few wicked witches while you sleep.

There have been many doctors and therapists that we are no longer working with.  Not every experience will end in a good working relationship of care.  But none of the breakups from these former healthcare providers have left me so beat down as this one has.

For my own closure, I've decided to pen a little poem about my experience with Dr. Wonderful Dentist:

Charlie is his name,
Zero focus is his game.
Every assurance he has made,
Reneged promises is all we've gained.

Each night we pray, there will come the day,
Peace and easiness will follow as we rise.
And solutions to our hardships we will gain,
Kindness from all those we love, through all time, is our daily prize.

So long, Chuck.