Feel Good Fridays!

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It’s FRIDAY!!! Already!?!  This week moved so slowly, but now that it’s over I feel like it sped by!

This week I’ve been privy to a lot of stories of pain, suffering, and strength.   Some incredibly heartbreaking. Others uplifting.  And once more I’m reminded that good things can rise out of crap and suffering.

Which inspired today’s quote…

“Remind me that the most fertile lands were built by the fires of volcanoes.” 
― Andrea Gibson, The Madness Vase: By Andrea Gibson

 

So, let it burn…then rise from the ashes, anew.

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Me enjoying myself; Burning Man, 2011

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Love, Lisa

Blogs updated this week:

Dungeons & Dragons & Donuts – added our 8/13/17 session.  If you’ve been following our campaign, follow the link and catch up 🙂

Inflammation & Endo – added a new 2017 study regarding Endometriosis and inflammation.

Natural Products that I’ve Fallen in Love With – added facial lotion (Beauty Balm) by Orglamix.

Share Your Story: T.E.

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T.E. was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 28 years old.  Now 31, she shares her story with us:

T.E.’s Journey: I was diagnosed with Endo around 28. I saw my gynecologist for painful sex and cyst rupture after sex and he recommended me seeing an infertility doctor for possible Endo. I saw the specialist and he said I did have chocolate cysts and suggested surgery to get a good look at what’s going on. I had the surgery; I did have lesions and my chocolate cysts were drained. I also had a low count of eggs at the time so I had to decide if I wanted to have kids now or never so I never started the pill after surgery.

Fast forward six months, I was back in pain and now till this day, I have had new symptoms arise. Hip pain and the bottom of my feet are new symptoms. I walk for a living so it’s been difficult. I still get leg pain, which is not even around the time of my period and mood swings. I also get lower back pain and severe cramps. My infertility doctor says he can’t do anything else for me so I have been trying other ways. I saw a holistic doctor and went that way and it did help, but the pain came back. I’m going to try acupuncture soon. Wish me luck!!

 

I want to send a special Thank You out to T.E. for being brave enough to share her personal story and struggle with us today.  Wishing you the BEST of luck with acupuncture!! You are a beautiful, brave, and strong woman.  Thank you!!!

 

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And if YOU would like to share your story, you can do so by clicking here.  The best part about this disease is the strong network of love and support from our fellow EndoSisters, and our friends and family, too.

Yours, Lisa.

Free Endo Webinar: 9/20/17 from the EFSG!

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Our Endometriosis Family Support Group meeting will be on Wednesday, September 20, 2017, at 7 p.m. Our scheduled speaker for this month is Devra Densmore, Associate Director of Advocacy Relations at Continuum Clinical. If you have ever wondered about joining a clinical research study, this will be a wonderful opportunity to learn!

Email megan@rmccharity.org with your name to register!

Reader’s Choice: Small Endo, But Big Pain?

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One of our readers, Jocelyn, emailed me this question:

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for doing this! I was diagnosed with Endo in May 2017. After of course many ultrasounds, bladder scans, colonoscopies… you name it. The laparoscopy in May only revealed 2 very tiny cysts on my ovaries. My doc was able to get a tiny sample sent it off and then after much debate, they gave me the Endo diagnosis. My pain was very severe. I could barely complete normal activities without taking either 800 mg of ibuprofen every 2-4 hours, tramadol, rest, etc. With that being said, my question is even if the Endo is so small can it still cause a great deal of pain? I’ve heard women who have Endo all over their bodies. I tend to question myself because the cysts were so small. I apologize for the ridiculously long response. It’s just been very heavy on my mind. Thanks for listening and all that you do!

Best,
Jocelyn

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Hi Jocelyn!

Thank you so much for responding!  I’m glad you received a diagnosis; helps to know that the pain isn’t normal!  AND your response was not ridiculously long at all.  So there! 😛

To answer your question about heightened pain levels, even though your Endo is “so small”…it doesn’t matter the amount of Endo you have.  Pain is pain is pain.  And this disease can cause havoc!  I did a bit of research about this topic after my 2014 diagnosis and women with Stage 1 Endo (which sounds like what you may have) can have extreme pain…while some women with Stage 4 Endo (which is as bad as it gets) have little to NO symptoms or pain.  Isn’t that bizarre?  Some women with Stage 1 Endo have NO pain while some do…the amount of the disease found in your body DOES NOT dictate the level of pain.  The presence and ferocity of the pain of the disease is different for every person, regardless of their “Stage” level.  Do not let your “small cysts” devalue your pain or belittle your illness or suffering.  Never let anyone tell you otherwise.  If you’d like to read more about my research from back then, please check out https://bloominuterus.com/2014/11/19/endoinvasion-stages/.

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If you have an Endo-related question you’d like me to delve into, shoot me a note here.

Permission was granted by Jocelyn to use her name and publish this Q&A.  Hoping this Q&A session helps answer some questions that other EndoSisters or their support systems may have.

Feel Good Fridays!

| Bloomin' Uterus

Well, another week is behind us.  Welcome to Friday!

I’ve picked up a new hobby: knife throwing.  I’m completely new. I’ve had two short lessons with my mentor and I’ve been practicing this week.  Sometimes good.  Sometimes horrible.  And I’ve yet to be frustrated over the whole process…

That’s new to me and my mental state.  Normally if things aren’t going the way I want them to, I get frustrated, depressed, angry, upset.  So I sat back and pondered what was different about this endeavor.

And today’s quote answered that question:

“To conquer frustration, one must remain intensely focused on the outcome, not the obstacles.” 
― T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph Over Death and Conscious Encounters with “The Divine Presence”

I know I’m new to the skill. I know I’m bad at what I’m doing.  And I know I can only get better.  I’ve stayed focused on the “I can only get better” aspect of this task, and have not dwelled upon the more frustrating failures I’ve experienced this week.  I want to compete. And I can only compete if I get better.  I’m holding on tightly to that end goal.

So, what are YOU doing (or are going to do) where this quote can help you?  Share about it in the comments below.  Whether it be learning a new “thing,” or making doctor appointments, or putting up with people that drive you crazy; how can today’s quote help you muddle through and beyond the frustration?

Have a wonderful weekend!

~Lisa

Painting and Endometriosis

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Our friend, Chloe, shared her Endometriosis journey here in an incredibly open and touching way. And how her illness may influence her artwork. Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us, Chloe! ❤

Art Inspired by Nature Blog

Some artists are like Bansky. A spectre flitting in and out of the public eye, full of mystery, but empty of identity apart from what their art projects.

And then there’s the other end of the artistic spectrum, the Picassos, the Dalis, those that make it a point to share their personal lives as much as their art. In both cases, these guys create a story around themselves which is rich, complex, often disturbing, sometimes scary, full of emotion.

I never expected to make many stories out of my art that were too much about me, in the most direct sense of the word. I’ve always talked about my art for what it is; my awe and passion for all things nature, my shrewdly optimistic, David Attenborough-narrated view of the world.

But a chronic illness can somewhat change your perspective. Of yourself, which ultimately changes your perspective of your art.

View original post 688 more words

Feel Good Fridays!

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What a busy week it’s been! Sorry!! I miss researching and writing, but haven’t had any time as of late!

BUT, it’s FRIDAY! And I have a tradition to uphold! 🙂  I hope you’re all having a safe and wonderful week and plan to relax this weekend.  This week’s quote is inspired by those who are helping the victims of Hurricane Harvey.

“Step out today not seeking to be in the spotlight but seeking for a spot to light – be a blessing to someone”
― Bernard Kelvin Clive

I love this one.  May you find a life to change today and this weekend.  Even if it’s as small a gesture as a smile or a “How d’you do?”

Yours, Lisa

Endo & Nutrition Workshop in San Diego!

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Optimal Nutrition to Manage Endometriosis

Join us for a discussion on how diet and nutrition can best support those living with Endometriosis. Merritt Jones is an EndoSister, certified nutritionist, licensed acupuncturist and primary care provider here in San Diego. She is excited to share with you what she’s learned over the years about how nutrition can impact Endometriosis.

We’ll discuss:

– The connection between food, digestion and endometriosis

– Foods that reduce inflammation/reduce endo signs and symptoms

– Foods that may make endo signs and symptoms worse

– Tools to manage endometriosis signs and symptoms naturally

– The emotional implications of nutrition for Endo (you don’t have to be perfect!)

– Much more!

Date:  October 25, 2017

Time: 6:00pm – 7:30pm

Location: Mission Valley Library (in their Community Room); 2123 Fenton Parkway, San Diego, CA 92108

If you’d like to come, please email me here.  Space is limited.  As usual, this is FREE!

If you’d like to share with others, we also have a Facebook event page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/727045307488736

If you have a question for Merritt (even if you can’t attend), please feel free to e-mail her confidentially at Merritt@JonesFamilyAcupuncture.com. There is no question too silly/personal etc.