Endo & Ovarian Cysts

February 17, 2015January 7, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

Illustration of an ovary and fallopian tube

Many women with Endometriosis suffer from recurrent cysts on their ovaries. But why? And what exactly is a cyst?

What is a cyst?

A cyst is an abnormal sac inside your body, completely enclosed, and it may contain liquid, gas, pus, fluids, semi-solid, or solid materials. Imagine a blister, full of puss, tight and ready to be popped. Now imagine that inside your body : a cyst is kind of like that. However, if a cyst is full of puss, it is known as an abscess. Cysts are typically non-cancerous, although some may lead to cancerous growths or tumors. They are usually caused by an infection or clogging of the glands, although they may be caused by genetics, chronic inflammatory conditions, injury, cellular defects, or even parasites.

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Feel Good Friday!

February 13, 2015December 29, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

The Mirror by William Merritt Chase. A painting of a woman looking in the mirror in Victorian-era attire

It’s Friday! We made it through another week! Today’s Feel Good Friday quote is by French writer, painter, and poet, Malcolm de Chazal:

“Monkeys are superior to men in this: when a monkey looks into a mirror, he sees a monkey.”

Labels, fashion, movies, accepted norms : they’ve broadcast a false sense of beauty. This is further worsened by depression, chronic conditions, relationship status, etc. It’s a horrible, downward spiral. I wish we could all be as innocent as the monkey.

For any of you who may be having self-esteem, self-love, or image issues, whether it be due to Endometriosis, surgeries, depression, the pending Hallmark Card Day (Valentines), or anything, I want you to truly look in the mirror. Examine yourself from the inside out. Tell your reflection…tell yourself, that you ARE beautiful and worth it. Because you are. Make eye contact with yourself. Hold your head high. Smile. Do this as often as you need. Lift yourself up.

Have a good cry if you must. But be strong. And embrace who you are, through and through.

Yours, Lisa.

How do you cope?

February 12, 2015December 29, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

A person crying and drying their tears with a cloth — Detail from Descent from the Cross, by Rogier van der Weyden

Hello ladies (and gents). This blog entry will be reaching out to you for your input…

Many of us deal with depression or just plain sadness over Endometriosis and this incurable cycle. How do you deal with it?

In the beginning I would stare into space and clam up, or get snappy and moody. While I was on Lupron Depot, I was a depressed lump.

I tend to create when I’m sad. I made the Bloomin’ Uterus logo on a sad day, which turned into a button, which turned into a walk, which turned into a blog, and now t-shirts are out there. All the money raised goes to the E.F.A. so I feel great about that. And it’s a fun way to give back to a greater cause, embrace my retarded body, and brings a bit of beauty into my day. And bring that same joy and beauty to YOU!

Also sharing my story with you readers, and having your stories shared with all of us, has been so overwhelmingly amazing. It reminds me that I am not alone. That others are where I am at, have been where I am, and have found relief!

So when the gloomy days creep in, I just look back and remember all that has happened SINCE my diagnosis. All of the good we are doing. Together. And it makes me forget about my individual incurable problem : it helps me focus on what I, and we, can do to help each other.

I’d love to hear how you cope. Your answers may help myself and others with their need to deal, to cope, to overcome. Feel free to leave a comment below. 🙂

Yours, Lisa

Ditch the Caffeine (if you can…)

February 11, 2015January 7, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

Coffee beans, green tea, chocolate powder

Before I altered my diet to be more Endo-friendly, I was drinking 3-5 cups of coffee per day. Toss in a Coke, Barq’s Root Beer, or Dr. Pepper for lunch. And maybe another during dinner. After my diagnosis, I read that caffeine is bad for my Endo…but why? I kicked it right away. Cold turkey (only had withdrawal headaches for one week…). Haven’t looked back since.

Caffeine is found naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, and the cacao bean. Coffee. Tea. Chocolate. All of the deliciousness!

Caffeine May Increases Chances of Endometriosis

Scientists do not know why caffeine effects the possibility of developing Endometriosis; however, studies have shown that it does. Many believe that caffeine intake increases estrogen levels, which may increase the chance of developing Endometriosis, or worsening our symptoms.

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Share Your Story : Ginny

February 10, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Ginny was diagnosed when she was 31. Now 37, Ginny lives in Arkansas with her wonderful husband. Despite this happy ending, she continues to suffer from the pain and effects of Endometriosis, and continues ongoing treatment…and a hunt for answers.

Ginny’s Journey: My first hospitalization for severe abdominal pain happened at age 16. The intensity of the pain and internal bleeding had caused my blood pressure to drop to 70/30 and my body to go into shock. It was the first of many ER visits for similar symptoms but the only one taken seriously enough to admit me to the hospital overnight.

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Poor Posture & Pain

February 9, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Growing up, you’re always told to “sit up straight” or “don’t slouch!” I don’t know about you, but as an adult, I do anything but.

I spent most of this last weekend sitting at the computer wasting away on the internet, smooshed into a little ball on the chair. Either hunched over or leaning back into a curved husk. And it got me thinking : what does bad posture do to my body? Internally. Mentally. Physically. So, you know me : let the research begin!

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Reader’s Choice : I’m SOOO Tired

February 8, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Sleeping Beauty painting by Henry Meynell Rheam

An EndoWarrior came to me with complaints of fatigue, exhaustion, and a general lack of energy. Is it related to Endometriosis? If so, why? And is she the only one who has to take 2-3 naps every day? Let the research begin!

Fatigue & Endo

Fatigue is one of the many common symptoms of Endometriosis. But why does something growing in our bodies make us tired? No one is really sure. Some feel that it could be our body’s coping mechanism to the pain, it could be that our body’s immune system is working on overdrive to fight our inflammation, it could be from depression, or it could be due to the mental and physical stress people with Endometriosis endure. It could even been some deeper unforeseen medical reason that nobody has figured out yet…

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Share Your Story : Mel

February 7, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Group of four women posing together for a photograph

Mel was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 21. Now 28, Mel and her husband are hoping to expand their family.

Mel’s Journey: I was diagnosed and have had two surgeries since. Now trying to conceive seems harder then ever and about to go through IVF. But I am also very lucky to have such a wonderful family and a supportive husband with a fur baby! =)

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Feel Good Fridays!

February 6, 2015December 29, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Person walking with a right prosthetic leg

It’s Friiiiiday! We made it through another week!

Today’s Feel Good Friday quote is brought to you by Bodie Thoene, who (coincidentally) was one of my favorite authors growing up. She and her her husband wrote several series of books and I was sucked into them! Looks like they’re still writing…