Author: Bloomin' Uterus

Feel Good Friday!

| Bloomin' Uterus
A black cloud among white ones

Today’s Feel Good Friday topic is a bit on the somber side.  I have several friends who are struggling with depression right now.  And it’s so very painful to watch.  As an outsider looking in, I feel I say all of the wrong things, and due to the miles between us, I cannot be there to hug them, hold them, or anything…So I watch from a distance, offer my pitiful words of support, and hope for the best.

American author, Barbara Kingsolver, put it nicely:

“There is no point treating a depressed person as though she were just feeling sad, saying, ‘There now, hang on, you’ll get over it.’ Sadness is more or less like a head cold- with patience, it passes. Depression is like cancer.”

For those of you suffering with depression, and yes, suffering is the appropriate word: you are not alone in this struggle.  There is light at the end of the tunnel, somewhere.  I wish I could point you to that path, but I do not know it.  Your friends and family will be here for you, even though we may not know what best to say or how best to act. We are here.  And for those of you who are my close friends and are dealing with this, you know I love you. Yes, you.

Endometriosis & the Brain

| Bloomin' Uterus
Krang from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Krang, from TMNT, seemed appropriate for this one…

Another rare location I’ve heard can be invaded by Endometriosis is our brain. Yep.  Our gray matter.  But, again, curiosity led me to find documented cases, symptoms, and treatments. So I’ve scoured the interwebs for just such a thing, but it was difficult to find much of anything!  This is not meant to scare anyone, or to create an Army of Hypochondriacs.  It’s meant to let everyone know that, yes, it does happen.  And this is what to look for…and what can be done for it..

From what I can find (which was very, very little), it appears that symptoms may include headaches or seizures.  As of 2010, there have only been 3 documented cases of cerebral Endometriosis (at least in English-language literature).

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty science!

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Truth, Theory, or Tall Tale?

| Bloomin' Uterus
man and woman restroom sign

Only women suffer from Endometriosis; men cannot get the disease.

TallTale

It is said that 1 in every 10 women suffer from Endometriosis.  And often times I hear, “If men had this disease, there’d be a cure right away!”  But can men contract this seemingly gender-biased disease?  You betcha!

There have been documented cases of men developing Endometriosis implants and lesions after undergoing estrogen therapy due to prostate cancer.  And even a rare documented case of a very healthy man being diagnosed with Endometriosis.  For more information on those stories, click here.

Endometriosis & Soy Products

| Bloomin' Uterus
Bowl of soy beans in the pod

Here we go again, inspired to write due to a dietary “restriction.”  I’ve read that as an Endo Sufferer, I should avoid (or drastically cut back from) soy and soy-based products.  I’ve read soy mimics and increases estrogen levels, which we’ve come to understand can affect our Endometriosis growth and symptoms.  So today, I want to do my own research.

Soy products are the “richest sources of isoflavones” that humans can eat.  What the heck is an isoflavone? It’s a “plant-based compound with estrogenic activity” English, Lisa, ENGLISH! It means it’s a plant-based compound that mimics estrogen.  So, soy has a very rich, or high levels, of a property, a compound, a thing…that acts like, or mimics, estrogen.  The isoflavones can attach themselves to estrogen receptors throughout the body, and either mimic or block certain estrogen effects in tissues.

Why is that bad? Well, it’s not, for everyone.  Estrogen may help prevent certain forms of cancer (breast, uterine, or prostrate), stimulate bone growth, or help women suffering with post-menopausal symptoms. But for those of us who suffer from what very-well may be an estrogen-driven disease, it can be very bad.

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Feel Good Fridays!

| Bloomin' Uterus
Bullwhip and Indian Jones hat

Today’s quote is inspired by an old man I saw crossing the street, wearing his best Indiana Jones Adventure outfit…at 7:30 in this morning, on his way into a Starbucks:

Life is just a lot of everyday adventures.  ~Carol Ryrie Brink

Although the strangely-dressed tiny old man man me laugh, it reminded me that, yes, every day should be a small adventure!  Hell, everything should be!

So don your hat and jacket and head out for something exciting! If not today, tomorrow. Or the next day.  Or the next.

Tackle that laundry like it’s Mount Kilimanjaro!  Wrangle up your cat like the wild beasty that he is.  Drive with the windows down and let the wind rat up your hair.  Or snuggle your hot water bottle as if your life depended on it.

Find an adventure. Somewhere.

Yours,

Lisa

Truth, Theory, or Tall Tale?

| Bloomin' Uterus
blood splatter

Women with Endometriosis only suffer from Endo pain and symptoms during their periods.

TallTale

It is unknown why every woman’s Endometriosis pain, symptoms, and severity is different from the next.  But, some women only suffer from their Endometriosis during their monthly cycles, other women are in constant, daily pain.  Constantly.

So to be told that our pain is related to our period or PMS is just frustrating.  It isn’t.

My pain isn’t just “bad period cramps.”  They’re severe and terrible and debilitating due to this disease I have.  But…I am lucky.  Mine is usually only during my period…

Others aren’t so lucky.  Their pain may be every day. EVERY DAY.

It’s awful.

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
broken glass on a green table

Happy Friday!!!

Today’s feel good quote is by Armenian-Russian author, Vera Nazarian:

“A fine glass vase goes from treasure to trash, the moment it is broken. Fortunately, something else happens to you and me. Pick up your pieces. Then, help me gather mine.”

Again with the “broken pieces” theme.  There’s a lot of this going around lately.  Not just with myself, but among my friends and family.  And strangers.

Be there for each other. Always.  A strong support system, for whatever you are enduring, is necessary.  Know that you are not alone.  Know that you have people who love you who are there to help.  Together. Together you will manage.  And thrive.

Have a wonderful weekend…

Yours,

Lisa

Share your Story : Tabitha

| Bloomin' Uterus
text that reads "This Disease Sucks"

Tabitha had suffered with the pain associated with Endo long before she was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 26.  Now 30, she lives in Franklin, TN, and her life may be drastically changing due to her ongoing symptoms.

Tabitha’s Journey:  I say I was diagnosed at age 26 but the pain and other symptoms have been treated long before that. I’d say it all started at age 23. But the severe back pain started 2 years ago. In the thoracic region around my T8 and T9. It hurts so bad at times that it’s hard to straighten myself up. I have no diagnosis yet but drs say there’s nothing wrong with my spine as far as anything herrniated and no slipped disks. So what else can it be?

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