Part 7

The Power of a Smile to Change Lives:  Macy’s Story

Part 7

Leading up to the big day, Macy realized she wrestled with anxiety more than she had expected.  In the quiet moments of the day and right before falling asleep at night, she was overcome with the fear of the unknown.  It crept in on her, quietly approaching on silent cat-feet, but pouncing with the ferocity of a lion.

Macy considered the steps it would take to get her new smile. She tried to psyche herself up by listing the positive benefits which outweighed the negatives.  Her worry stemmed mainly from what she could not yet know, but imagined might be terrible.  Macy was glad when she was given a little blue pill to help her sleep that night, giving her a good night’s rest before the morning’s surgery.  She was to take another the next day after a good breakfast, and bring the last two pills to the appointment.  Grandma Sue would drive Macy to the office because, Dr. Yeoman warned, the medication could make her feel a little bit tipsy.  The two back-up pills were to be administered by the doctor if Macy didn’t feel tipsy enough!

When it came time to go to bed, Macy dutifully took her medicine, and in about twenty minutes found she was more relaxed and less anxious.  She had chosen to stay with Grandma Sue for this week, so she could be in a safe, cozy place, with someone looking after her.  Sue noticed when the medicine took effect, because suddenly her granddaughter seemed much more at ease and started chatting happily about all sorts of things.  The two of them had a sweet girl-talk and then it was time for bed.

Macy awoke to the smell of sizzling bacon the next morning, stretching and yawning away sleep.  Grandma Sue had outdone herself fixing a hearty breakfast, knowing that yogurt smoothies, soup and mashed bananas were going to be Macy’s staples for the next few days.  Wandering into the kitchen in her pajamas and with pillow lines still engraved in her cheek, she gratefully dug into her food with pleasure.

“Know what, Grandma?” Macy asked, with a mouth full of biscuit.

“What’s that, Babe?”

“This is going to be the last meal I have to eat with a toothache!”  They cheered and toasted with juice glasses.

“Here’s your second pill to take.  Doesn’t look like you need it, but it’s Doctor’s orders.”  Sue, the responsible keeper of prescriptions, doled out one blue pill to Macy’s awaiting palm.

Once they were ready for their 8 a.m. appointment, Macy and Sue hopped into the old blue Buick. Macy's thoughts turned expectantly into the future, while Sue's were focused on making sure her granddaughter made it without a hitch to her destiny.

Macy’s Story Part 6 | Macy’s Story Part 8