What a week. I’m exhausted!

My husband and I woke up last Saturday to a flooded kitchen. The water intake valve of our fridge filter malfunctioned and poured out water. While we slept.

So, a little over a week from my surgery, we dropped towels, soaked up water, wrung out towels, and made phone calls.

Movement, bending, pulling. All the things one shouldn’t do while recovering from surgery. But luckily a Naproxen handled the discomfort and pain from the overexertion.

Stress. Unanswered questions. Pending insurance approval. Loads of repairs.

Fatigue. Exhaustion. Overwhelmed.

What a week indeed.

So today’s quote is for anyone who may be going through their own crazy crisis:

“When it comes right down to it, the only way to face a crises that makes any sense at all – is together. And the only direction to face- is up.” ~Phil Callaway

I’m grateful my husband has been here to help during this time.

And family and friends have offered advice and been supportive.

Please find someone to lean on if you need help. Deep breaths.

Another week has flown by! And today’s quote is for you. They always are.

“Endure to the very end.” ~Lailah Gifty Akita

Whatever you may be going through, you’ll get through this.

We will get through this together.

When times get to be too much, reach out to a trusted friend. Feel like you don’t have one? You have me.

Find ways to let it go. Write. Read. Scream. Cry. And endure. Always.

Much love, Lisa.

Another week has come and gone! This week was extra special for me because I had my fifth Endo excision surgery on Wednesday!

Recovery is going well, and I even met with my surgeon yesterday to change a bloodied dressing, so I was able to learn what he discovered.

I’ll save all of those details for another blog entry, once I receive the pathology report.

Several days before my surgery, I found beautiful bracelets on Etsy, sold by a fellow EndoWarrior LifeWithKimberli. And I HAD to have one. It arrived the day after my surgery and hasn’t left my wrist.

“Nevertheless, she kept on fighting”

May it serve as a reminder to you today with whatever you may be struggling with: don’t give up. Forge ahead. Do what you can. Survive. You CAN make it through this. You’re not alone.

I mean it: you’re not alone. If you ever need to talk, please contact me.

If you’d like to order your own bracelet, go for it! https://www.etsy.com/listing/665866138/nevertheless-she-kept-on-fighting

Friday. Again. Already.

How the days blend together.

Today’s quote is a poem written by Kirstie Sagermark, a member of our San Diego/SoCal Endometriosis Support Group, and she gave me permission to share it with all of you today:

You are allowed to cry.
Today was hard.
You Tried.
You lost your temper.
You had fun.
You were frustrated.
You cringed.
You did it anyway.
Pain.
Smiles.
Laughs.
Aches.
Distractions.
Pain.
You had responsibilities.
You prayed.
You provided.
You loved.
You worked.
You pulled through.
You were exhausted.
You did it anyway.
You need time.
You want peace.
You feel sad.
You are strong.
You want answers.
You need understanding.
You Tried.
Today was hard.
You are allowed to cry.

You tried.

Today was hard.

You are allowed to cry.

I love this. All of it.

Today I spent two hours updating my pain journal with all of the entries from late March. And I did…I cried. Just seeing how bad many of those days have been made me so grateful that I have a surgery coming up. And speaking of surgery, it’s been moved back up to May 13th!!

Let’s do this!

And it truly is okay to cry. If you ever need someone to talk to while you weep, I’m right here.

It’s Friday! Again. Already! How are all of you coping during times of isolation, shutdowns, and essential workers?

I had a conversation with my doctor today after receiving some blood tests back.

I’m mostly healthy. My bad cholesterol levels (LDLs) are a wee high, as are my FSH hormone and TFH (thyroid) levels. It also came back that my testosterone and estrogen levels were a bit low. As well as my B12 and Vitamin D levels.

It’s a bit of validation for my thought process: I’m at the very beginning stages of menopause. Bring it on!!!

I’ve got some recommendations for boosting my B12/D numbers, and dropping my thyroid hormone before we retest in three to six months. And I’ve started exercising like a crazy person the past few weeks due to being stuck inside. So we’ll see if that helps drop that bad cholesterol.

And…I’ve read from various studies that enjoying one 4-ounce glass of red or white wine each day can help with heart health.

So I’m sitting here on my couch, lounging in my workout clothes, finished my research, and am sipping on a cold glad of white wine. I’m seriously going to try to only have one. And to keep it to the 4-ounce limit.

All of this news, processing, and self-reflection leads me to today’s quote:

“Wine had to be grapes first. Diamonds had to be rocks first. Butterflies had to be caterpillars first. Rainbows had to be storms first.” ~Matshona Dhliwayo

We will transform and get through all of our woes.

Together.

Friday night! I’m late!

I’ve been having a very painful period this week, so please forgive the delay.

Today’s quote is for those who may be feeling lonely during this time of uncertainty and distance.

“People who smile while they are alone used to be called insane, until we invented smartphones and social media.” ~Mokokoma Mokhonoana

So reach out to your friends and family, text, call, videochat. Have fun!

Be well. This too shall pass.