Sometimes, we take our partners for granted without even realizing it. But I could never imagine, and never want to imagine, something bad happening to my husband. We’ve been together for 13 years, and through every high and every low, he has been my rock. He has seen me at my worst and still stood by me, helping me through my struggles without ever once complaining. Even when my health problems became overwhelming, he never said a word about how hard it was for him...he just helped.
My husband is one of the strongest people I know. He never complains, no matter what he’s going through. The only thing that ever really bothers him are his migraines, but they don’t happen often. Over time, I’ve learned how to support him when they do. At the beginning of our relationship, I panicked every time, asking what I could do to make him feel better. But I soon realized that all I could do was be there—bring him his strong pills, let him rest in silence, and stay close so he knew he wasn’t alone.
But then, something happened on Sunday night that I never expected.
Two years ago, my husband made the difficult decision to have all his teeth removed and replaced with dental implants. He and his father both had weak tooth roots, and he wanted to avoid the pain his father had suffered. So, he went through the procedure, and now he has the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. Every time he smiles at me, I melt. He knows it too!
Sunday started like any normal day. We got into bed around 11 PM, and I was watching a movie while he was trying to sleep. About 30 minutes later, he asked me to bring him a painkiller. I didn’t think much of it...I assumed it was just one of his migraines. He didn’t say anything else, and I just brought him the pill.
But then, 20 minutes later, I heard him moaning, tossing, and turning in bed. That was not normal. His migraine medicine usually works quickly, helping him sleep right away. I turned to him and asked softly, "Baby, what’s wrong?"
His voice was barely a whisper. "My teeth hurt. No... my gums. It feels like my mouth is on fire."
I quickly got him another pill and hoped it would help. It didn’t. The pain only got worse. He said it felt like someone had set fire inside his mouth, pain he had never felt before. His face was red, his eyes filled with pain. I felt so helpless. I brought him ice and compresses, thinking maybe the cold would soothe it. Nothing worked.
Then he said words that shook me: "We need to go to the hospital. This is not normal." In 13 years, ne never asked me that!
My heart pounded. I grabbed my phone and called an ambulance, desperate for answers. But their response left me speechless. "We’re sorry, but there are no dentists available overnight. You’ll have to wait until morning."
How could that be possible? We live in one of the biggest cities in Austria, with multiple hospitals, and not a single emergency dentist? I was in shock. I begged them for advice, anything that could help, but they only suggested we go to a 24-hour pharmacy.
We rushed to the pharmacy, hoping to find something to ease his pain. I knew exactly what could help—Xylocaine gel, a numbing medication. But when I asked for it, the pharmacist just laughed. "I can’t give you that," she said. "Maybe he should try some hot chamomile tea."
I nearly lost it. "Lady, his mouth is on fire! He’s in agony! How is tea going to help?!"
She just shook her head. "I’m sorry, there’s nothing else I can do."
That was it. I had enough. "We’re going to the hospital," I said.
At the emergency room, I ran to the front desk and pleaded for help. They sent us to the dental department, but when we got there, we found only a nurse—no doctor until 8 AM. My husband’s eyes were swollen, tears of pain streaming down his face. He was suffering, and no one could help us. I asked him if he can give us Xylocaine gel.
The nurse saw his condition and hesitated. "I... I’m not supposed to do this," he muttered. Then, quietly, he handed me a tiny plastic cup filled with Xylocaine gel. "This will help. But if anyone asks, you didn’t get it from me."
I almost cried from relief. I thanked him at least ten times. My husband applied the gel, and for the first time in hours, I saw the pain ease from his face.
We drove home, and he finally fell asleep within minutes. I sat beside him, feeling every ounce of stress leave my body. I had never been so scared in my life. The thought of him being in so much pain, and not being able to help, was unbearable.
When he woke up the next morning, he pulled me close, kissed me, and whispered, "Thank you for everything. I feel so much better."
I smiled and held him tight. "Baby, you’ve done so much for me. Now I know how you feel every time you have to take me to the hospital. This... this is love."
We went to his dentist in Slovenia that same day. The diagnosis? A mild gum infection—nothing serious. Maybe he had eaten something too spicy, maybe it was the pressure. The doctor gave him strong painkillers and antibiotics and assured us that he’d be fine in a few days.
And now, he’s okay. No more pain, no more suffering.
Baby, I love you more than words can ever say. I never want to see you in pain again. You are my everything. ❤️
"The greatest gift you can give someone is your presence. Not just in their best moments, but in their worst." — Unknown
