Author: Bloomin' Uterus

Changing birth control pills

| Bloomin' Uterus
A white pill


So, here’s the news…

Thanks ObamaCare.  Due to changes in insurance coverage and expenses, my employer has changed my insurance plan.  It’s the same carrier, but the plan has altered slightly.  What does that mean for my coverage?

Thankfully, I still can see my same physicians, although my physician co-pays have all increased by about $10.  I’ve no clue how any medical procedures will be affected financially.  BUT what I do know : my insurance will no longer cover my Amethyst birth control.  Sure, it’s free.  Sure there’s all this legislation and praise about free birth control…but my insurance refuses to provide Amethyst anymore.

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Share your Story : Sarah

| Bloomin' Uterus

Sarah’s symptoms began when she was 13 years old…but her diagnosis not until she was 34! Why not? How is that possible?  It happens more than it should…curious? Read on, Dear Reader, read on.

Sarah’s Journey:  I don’t think I’ve had a single day where my female reproductive organs were active and NOT pissing me off. I got my period one day in summer when I was thirteen years old. And it just … didn’t stop. For the first year of my menstruating life, I bled for 25 days out of thirty. It was ridiculous, and led to me having anemia and needing fluids almost all the time. My well meaning GP at the time said my body was just “adjusting”.

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Li’l Skully Charms

| Bloomin' Uterus
yellow skull beaded charm

As most of you know, we have our little Endometriosis Awareness Walk coming up on March 26, 2016.  And that we host a monthly support group here in San Diego.

One of our EndoSisters who comes to the group created these little yellow skully charms as part of her fundraising efforts.  Each charm is distinctly different in it’s own way (some have yellow beads, some have purple, some don’t have beads, but have a floral cap).  If YOU would like one, they’re $10 each.  No S&H charges (that’s not how we roll).

You can donate online.  If purchasing one of these lovelies, please make sure to mention the skull charm in the comments of your donation.  But act fast…there’s only a few of these.

I have mine dangling from a chain on my rearview mirror, right next to my tiny yellow ribbon charm.  An EndoSister removed the charm clasp and created a necklace.  They can be clipped to cell phones, made into a pin, the possibilities are endless.

I know not everyone likes little skulls, but I know a lot of people do, too.  I’m grateful for Linda Lee’s talents and desire to help raise funds. And I thought I’d share these with you.

🙂

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
A highlighted definition of the word hope

We made it through another week.  And January is halfway over…already.  Time flies.

Today’s quote is by Shailee J-N, and it’s my hope for you today:

“I hope your heart feels better. 
I hope your mind is set right.
I hope your love is connected to others, and you don’t feel so lost and locked up.
I hope everything is okay for you. 
And by okay, I mean greater than ever.”

I truly do.

Yours,

Lisa

Share your Story : Rebecca

| Bloomin' Uterus
A young woman in a hospital bed giving two thumbs up

My Journey with Endometriosis & Adenomyosis by Rebecca L. Gibson

I was always healthy and active in sports while growing up. In 2008, I married my childhood sweetheart and we began our life together. Everything changed in 2009 when I developed symptoms of endometriosis. Endometriosis (en-doh-mee-tree-oh-sis) is an extremely painful condition where tissue resembling – but not the same as – the endometrium (lining of the uterus) is found elsewhere in the body, outside the womb. Although symptoms may indicate endometriosis, an official diagnosis can only be made through surgery. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to –pelvic pain apart from menses, debilitating menstrual pain, backache/leg pain, painful intercourse or pain associated with sexual activity, painful bowel movements, fatigue, bloating, constipation/diarrhea, which may worsen during menses, pain with exercise, painful pelvic exams, painful urination, sciatic pain, infertility/pregnancy loss.

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Share Your Story : Marixsa

| Bloomin' Uterus
EndoWarrior logo

Marixsa is a fellow blogger and Endo advocate.  She was diagnosed when she was 28 years old.  Now 33, her story is a heartbreaking, yet encouraging, one.  Almost two decades of suffering without a diagnosis, being told she was exaggerating, living in fear of intimacy, missed diagnoses (not misdiagnosis…but literally doctors not seeing her Endometriosis while in surgery), followed by a myriad of additional surgeries, emotional rollercoasters, fertility treatments, and miscarriage.  Although scarred, Marixsa is truly a strong and beautiful Warrior, rich in faith and determination.  She continues to fight, for herself and for other EndoSisters.    And I hold her among my heroes.

Marixsa’s Journey: Like so many women, endometriosis affected me years before I was diagnosed. It’s been quite a journey, which is why this section is so long. Here’s where this road has taken me:

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It hurts to have sex…

| Bloomin' Uterus
A bed with the blankets drawn back revealing the sheets and four pillows

So this entry’s going to get a bit personal.  And possibly full of Too Much Information.  But it is a topic that needs to be addressed.  Not only for myself, but for countless otherssuffering from the same issues.

One of the symptoms of Endometriosis for a lot of EndoWarriors is painful sex (either during, after, or both), and it’s estimated that more than half of the people with Endo suffer from it.  The fancy name for pelvic pain during or after sex is Dyspareunia. It’s common and it could have a myriad of causes and factors.  Some of those factors can be vaginal dryness, herpes, Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, Adenomyosis, uterine tilt, bowel tenderness or fullness, pelvic inflammatory disease, infections, or bladder issues.  The pain can be limited to the vaginal opening or canal, or it can extend deeper into the pelvic region and thighs.  This pain can stop as soon as sexual activity is stopped, or can last for hours, or even days afterward.  It can be a dull ache, a sharp pain, stabbing sensations, and can range from barely there to excruciating.

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Share your Story : Tine

| Bloomin' Uterus
African American woman smiling

Tine is the co-captain of Team Zimbabwe’s 2016 EndoMarch.  She and Nadia are seeking to raise awareness regarding Endometriosis, menstrual health, education the medical community, and letting women in their country know that they are not alone…and this pain is not normal.  Tine is also heavily involved in the NGO As I Am Foundation, a foundation that creates projects that are sustainable for the disadvantaged.  Nadia and Tine have shared their stories in the hope that it will encourage other African girls to be aware and not ashamed.  Tine’s story follows:

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The Endometriosis Foundation of America’s 2015 Medical Conference

| Bloomin' Uterus

Once a year, the Endometriosis Foundation of America hosts a Medical Conference, a Patient Awareness Day, and their annual fundraiser, the Blossom Ball.

A certain organization that shall remain unnamed charges nearly $100 for a DVD collection of their medical conference from over a decade ago.  I purchased those DVDs, and have no regrets about spending the money.  However, I am so grateful that the E.F.A puts their conference speakers’ videos online…for FREE…for our education and enjoyment.  I will never be able to afford to go to their conference in New York and love that they make the contents of the conference available to the rest of us.

If you wish to watch the E.F.A.’s videos, they are broken down into small videos of each speaker. I haven’t finished watching them all myself yet, but wanted to make sure you were aware of these amazing resources. 

Enjoy.  Learn.  And pass it on.

Yours,

Lisa