Happy Diagnosiversary…

June 30, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

Candle shaped like the number 7 burning atop a sprinkled cake

Seven years ago today I received my Endometriosis diagnosis.

All of my pain had a cause. I had some type of confirmation.

And it’s been seven years of learning. Devouring any and all information I can get my hands on. Books, blogs, articles, medical studies. All of it.

And seven years of support: to others and from others.

Seven years of ups and downs. Emotional rollercoasters. Breakdowns. Uplifting moments. Times when I realized I’m stronger than I feel.

It’s been insane.

Seven years. Six surgeries. Five Endo walks.

So, to myself: happy diagnosiversary. You’ve come a long way, baby. And you’ve got the strength and support to keep going.

To fellow warriors: We’re in this together. Side by side, hand in hand.

To all of you, whether this is your first time here or you’re a long-time supporter: thank you. For everything.

To my surgical team and their staff: you’re amazing. Keep on doing what you’re doing.

And to my mom, husband, and Team Poo (you know who you are): I could not do this without you.

Onward and upward!

Feel Good Fridays

June 25, 2021June 25, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

astronaut taking off helmet — Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.com

It’s been another draining week. A good friend of mine, Lora, left me a little Marco Polo video that I finally watched this morning. And it was so damned uplifting I asked for permission to share a portion of it here.

And here it is. May her words remind you that you, too, possess the strength to get through this.

“You’ve got this. Really. I know you’ve got this…And I know that it makes you tired. And I know that it makes you not happy. Um, but I know – I know also that things are going to work out…
I just want you to know that you are strong. I know you know that, and I know you have your bad days and I know you’re on the ground sometimes just balled up in tears, but you find strength in places where I just cannot imagine. And you’ve got to reach for that.
Okay?
You’re going to get through this….
Keep up the positive thinking….
Just know that I am thinking of you and you have this amazing, beautiful, magical strength about you and just bring that up – bring that up into your heart and give yourself a limited amount of time to dwell on the negative, then focus on the positive…”
~Lora

I’ve been absolutely non-stop jumping from medical appointment to medical appointment over the past few months and have a few weeks more ahead. I’ve had discouraging news on the Endo-front. And a lot of dental issues, mystery butthole issues, I haven’t been sleeping well, and whacky hormones. I’ve been hit with a few financial whammies as well. I’m just exhausted. So if you’ve reached out or wondered where I’ve been, sorry…just haven’t been in a good place lately. I miss researching and blogging, though.

But Lora’s message is well-received.

I’ve listed out the craziness of my medical appointments for 2021. No wonder I’ve been exhausted and feeling overwhelmed and overall-sad…this too shall pass and everything will be okay:

January 5, 2021: hemorrhoid band ligation
January 26, 2021: Covid-19 Rapid test result
January 27, 2021: standard results Covid testing
February 1, 2021: dental cleaning
February 2, 2021: 1-month hemorrhoid follow-up
February 9, 2021: 3-month Endo post-op follow-up
February 17, 2021: cavity filling & dental implant work
March 1, 2021: suture removal re: implant post
March 9, 2021: 1st Covid-19 vaccination shot
March 16, 2021: consult for throbbing root canal tooth
March 31, 2021: scan of root canal tooth
April 5, 2021: 2nd Covid-19 vaccination shot
April 12, 2021: root canal tooth extraction
April 14, 2021: consult with PCP to discuss anal leakage and possible hemorrhoids
April 27, 2021: recurrent hemorrhoid consultation with colo-rectal surgeon
May 3, 2021: dental cleaning
May 11, 2021: hemorrhoid banding ligation and external hemorrhoidal anal skin tags cut off
May 18, 2021: annual exam and pap smear
May 24, 2021: consultation with GI regarding anal leakage
June 1, 2021: mammogram
June 2, 2021: annual bloodwork
June 3, 2021: pelvic ultrasound
June 7, 2021: cavity filling and dental impression for upper & lower implants
June 8, 2021: follow-up re pelvic ultrasound
June 8, 2021: hemorrhoid band ligation
June 9, 2021: telemedicine visit to discuss bloodwork results with PCP
June 10, 2021: eye exam
June 21, 2021: picked up new glasses
June 22, 2021: consult with dentist regarding newly-chipped crown

Upcoming:

June 30, 2021: chipped crown #13 removal
July 2, 2021: follow-up bloodwork
July 6, 2021: hemorrhoid band ligation follow-up
July 7, 2021: dental implants (upper#14 and lower#30) delivery & fitting
July 9, 2021: telemedicine follow-up with PCP re bloodwork
August 4, 2021: dental cleaning
September 21, 2021: 3-month follow-up with eye doctor
December 9, 2021: pelvic ultrasound re Endometriosis
December 14, 2021, pelvic ultrasound follow-up

Whatever you are enduring, too, shall pass and we will pull through this together.

Much love. Lisa

PS – I don’t know why, but the image above just spoke to me. I love it. ❤

Feel Good Fridays

June 18, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

Well, I’ve had another whirlwind week. I’m exhausted. There’s been no real time for R&R. I’m looking forward to spending tomorrow with my husband doing 100% n-o-t-h-i-n-g.

I hope your week has gone well.

Today, I share a quote by my cousin. He says it every time we hug. And every time we talk on the phone. A girlfriend of mine who had met Aaron a few years ago texted it to me last night. And right now, it’s exactly what I need to hear.

So, you get it, too:

“You be good to you.” ~Aaron Edlund

Always.

This will forever be one of my favorite awkward-selfies with friends and family ❤

Feel Good Fridays

June 11, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

It’s been one hellava week. Insanely busy at work. Insanely busy with doctor’s appointments. And insanely busy at the house.

I’m sorry I don’t have enough gas to scrounge the internet for a quote this morning.

I’ve used up all my spoons with countless doctor’s visits, medical bills, house bills, and small crises and I’m just plumb pooped out.

But, I wanted to take this moment to still post a feel good day, just without a quote.

Whatever crap I’m going through and whatever crap you’re going through, keep going!

Keep moving.

If ya need it, ask for help.

And always remember we’re all in this together.

Much love to you…

Lisa

Feel Good Fridays

June 4, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

woman crying yellow tears — Photo by Lucxama Sylvain on Pexels.com

Good morning. Happy Friday.

Can you believe 2021 is half over already? ALREADY!?!

Yesterday I had an ultrasound with the possibility of Endo growth in my cul-de-sac. This technician is so amazeballs she hasn’t been wrong yet with my body, my Endo, and my surgery outcome. I’ll talk to my Doc on Tuesday to go over it, his thoughts, my (lack of) of horrific symptoms, and a plan. I know it will be a lot of “sit, watch, and wait,” but even the possibility of it being back led me to a tail-spin of grief last night.

I made it most of the 40-minute drive home without crying…until The Killers “Everything Will Be Alright” popped on the radio. Then the waterworks started. I vented to some friends and sobbed into my husband’s shoulder when he got home from work. We went out for comfort food for dinner, talked about it, and I’m a lot calmer today than yesterday.

But while digging around the great big Internet this morning for a quote, I was hit in the face with this one:

“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.”
― Elizabeth Edwards

Yesterday’s news was not the end of the world. And it’s only just a possibility. And, right now, my pain levels have been ooooh soooo minimal. Everything will be okay.

But it hit me. And it hit hard. And I began to mourn all of the things I may not have because of it. BUT…I wouldn’t be where I am right now in a better frame of mind if it weren’t for the support of friends and loved ones. So, thank you.

And the offer always stands: if you need someone to talk to, I am always here for you. Even if we may be in this same boat together. Last night I needed friends to pull me out of the sea, and it was beautiful. I may need my own help from time to time, but it doesn’t mean I’m not here to help you, too.

Much love,

Lisa