Feel Good Friday

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
Candles Dark Light Black Fire Flame Fire

Welcome to the first Friday in September. I hope that you’re all doing well. And if you’re not doing well, I hope that you find something happy to cling onto to get you through today. If you need to talk to someone, I’m always around.

For anyone feeling alone, struggling, fighting…you are not alone.

This disease often makes us isolated. We may lose friends or loved ones because of our inablity to attend events, cancelling at the last minute, always “complaining” of our pain, etc. I’ve been there. I’ve lost people, too.

But do you what what? We’ll always have each other. Always.

“So what if the sun isn’t shining? Fearing the darkness won’t make it go away, the only way is to fight it with light, come, let’s all light our candles and stand together, the darkness will vanish…”

― Shahenshah Hafeez Khan

I’m serious: if you need someone, email me.

Blogs I Updated This Week:

Bladder & Endometriosis: Added Nov. 2020 (we jumped ahead to the future!) study released in the Urology Case Reports journal is of a woman who complained of painful urination, difficulty voiding, incontinence, and a frequency to urinate.

Cervical Endometriosis: Added a 2019 study of cervical endometriosis to our ongoing entry of Endo and the cervix. A 24-year-old woman had an abnormal pap smear, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and painful periods. She had visible violet nodules on her cervix, and surgery confirmed a big ol’ lesion on her cervix…which was discovered only after they “unstuck” her rectum from her cervix in surgery. No other Endo in her pelvic cavity.

Endometriosis & the Appendix: Added a June 2020 study of a 45-year-old woman with Endo on her appendix and cecum to our ongoing blog about endo on the appendix. Have you been diagnosed with appendiceal endometriosis? What were your symptoms, if any? Suspect you have it? Make a note of your symptoms to talk to your doctor.

Endometriosis & the Lungs: added a study to our ever-growing Endometriosis & the Lungs blog entry. This one of a post-menopausal woman who suffered from a collapsed left lung due to Endometriosis lesions. Don’t even try to convince me Endo goes away for everyone after menopause.

Orilissa: Abbvies’ New Drug to Manage Endometriosis Symptoms: Updated our post about Elagolix by adding four Abbvie-funded studies ranging from August 2019-August 2020. They covered Endometriosis-related fatigue, initial dosing, Add-Back therapy, and bone density risks of fractures and osteoporosis. Have you tried Orilissa? What are your thoughts? Did it help? Hinder? Did you feel any side effects? I’d LOVE to add testimonials from EndoWarriors who have been on Orilissa to this blog. I can keep it anonymous if you wish; just shoot me an email or a comment below.

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus

The end of another week. And nearly the end of August! I hope you’re doing well.

Today’s quote goes out to the partners, spouses, significant others, friends, support systems, and loved ones of EndoWarriors, regardless of their sex of gender identity.

“Suffering should not define you as a woman! And just because you’re a man it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t affect you! HELP HER to remove the taboos and the loneliness surrounding this disease; be understanding, show empathy, and don’t accuse her of being sensitive, delicate, or overly dramatic – this is a big opportunity for you guys to show that you care and to be a real man!”

(Address, 2011 Endometriosis Foundation of America Blossom Ball)”
― Susan Sarandon

I’m lucky enough to have a partner who is understanding, strives to learn more, and is incredibly supportive. But not everyone is as lucky.

To read (or watch) Susan’s full speech from the 2011 Blossom Ball, head on over to the Endometriosis Foundation of America.

And if you ever need to talk, I’m right here.

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus

Another week is over. July is over! How was your month? How are you feeling?

I’ve had a long, busy, difficult week. It’s my first week back at the office since the Covid-19 lockdown. And it’s been long hours with client interviews. I know that so many of us have been so so very much.

Today’s quote may be a reflection of what you and I have been through in our own individual life experiences:

“It has been said, ‘time heals all wounds.’ I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.” ― Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

Whatever pain it is that may be “encased” in a protective film of defense or protection, may we each strive to slowly peel it free and cope. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m always here.

We are strong. We are capable. And whatever it is we may be going through, we will endure.

Much love to you today.

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus

Good morning, Readers! Welcome to another Friday. ALREADY!

A good friend of mine mentioned yesterday that she bought that hardening chocolate ice cream syrup to treat herself. She realized she needed to be nicer to herself. And treating herself was okay.

Today’s quote is sort of my 2020 New Year’s Resolution. And brought home moreso by my friend’s story yesterday.

“Talk to yourself like a cherished friend. Treat yourself with love and care. You are perfect, just as you are.”― Amy Leigh Mercree, The Compassion Revolution: 30 Days of Living from the Heart

Love yourself. Know that you’re worth it. Try to avoid self-deprecating thoughts and talk. Treat yourself well.

I decided earlier this year that I was going to invest in my health. Try to stop buying little things and fancy baubles and clothes and toys and books. And start buying things that may help me and my health.

  • I’ve invested in a veggie spiralizer and have enjoyed sweet potato and zucchini noodles.
  • I hired a personal trainer after my surgery restrictions lifted and “see” her once a week. C-19 has put us into virtual mode. The rest of the week I use her hybrid program and smartphone app.
  • I’ve learned to propagate my succulents and am filling my life with beautiful, happy li’l plants.
  • I go to acupuncture twice a month.
  • I finally purchased and take supplements/vitamins better targeted for my body, including DIM SGS, n-acetylcysteine, a great probiotic, an organic women’s multivitamin, calcium, iodine, curcumin, additional Vitamin D3, and fiber. I even purchased the Chinese herb tincture at my last acupuncture appointment to try to level out some menstrual-phase issues I’m having.
  • I bought a Tushy poop stool.
  • I purchased and am reading Stamped From the Beginning to better understand the history and ideals of racism.
  • After years of paying day-use fees, I finally purchased a membership to my favorite clothing optional resort.
  • I signed up for Sacral Space’s 6-week pelvic floor reset program.
  • And I most recently acquired a personal at-home blood pressure monitor.

And it’s been wonderful. Now, the second any of these treats-to-myself become a financial difficulty or burden, I will stop. But for now? It’s been great. I really have enjoyed treating myself. Especially to something that may help me greater in the long-run.

Whether it be chocolate syrup, a good book, a piece of nostalgia, renting a movie, or WHATEVER – what’s your favorite thing to treat yourself? Share in the comments below! 🙂

And have a beautiful weekend. You’re worth it. All of it.

Love, Lisa

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus

Good morning, Readers.

I’m so sorry I missed last Friday!

I’ve been under a lot of stress recently, as I’m sure so many of us have. Yesterday was my breaking point of tears and I was left physically exhausted.

The Great Flood of May 2020 may soon be repaired. The insurance adjuster approved the contractor’s estimate, the check is in th mail, and the contract has been signed. Long conversations, lots of questions, and uncertainty for months finally closed.

Our front patio needs to be redone or the park manager will fine us. So, my husband has taken over that endeavor.

Our cats were shaved yesterday due to matting. A long one-hour process of hissing and howling. Emotionally exhausting right there.

I broke down. Wiped out. And I’m still dealing with shifty-poo pain and glass-guts whenever I poo, which leads to that li’l bug at the back of my brain telling me that the bowel resection may still need to occur.

Stress. Uncertainty. So many of us harbor so much of it.

So, today’s quote is something I really need to take to heart, repeat over and over, and hold onto:

“If the problem can be solved why worry? If the problem cannot be solved worrying will do you no good.” ~Shantideva

May we all remember to breathe and let go.

Mwah!! ~Lisa

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus

No quote today, dear Readers. Just an instruction.

Long-distance hug someone you love today. Let them know how much they mean to you. And consider yourself hugged.

Social distancing has been hard for me. I’m a hugger. A big one. So, I’m reaching out and smooshing you as you read this

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
Savage Race participants help other racers make it to the top of the Colossus during the Georgia Spring 2015 Savage Race in Dallas, Ga., April 18, 2015. The Colossus was a giant 43-foot wall and one of the hardest obstacles in the course. Adding to the difficulty of it being one of the final obstacles, runners had to sprint up the barrier after they’d already sledged through more than four miles in the mud, before grabbing a rope. They would then pull themselves up to the top of the fortification. The Savage Race is an Air Force Reserve sponsored obstacle course that challenges participants in more than 20 different trials over the course of five miles. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Daniel Phelps)

Hello Readers and Friends!

How is it Friday again? So quickly? How has your week been? Your month? Your year? Do share in the comments below!

It’s been a whirlwind week for me. I started my period. It was intense for the first two days. Not uterine cramping; no that was nearly non-existent.

Instead, I had the intense, oh-so-familiar pain on the left side of my lower abdomen, the hot poker, the rebar shoved straight through my body. Intense (and I mean a 9 out of 10 intense) pain. The ol’ familiar pre-surgery pain. The kind of pain where I needed to pop half a Tramadol, and another the next day. *sigh*

For all I know, I’m still healing from surgery. But the darker side of me fears it’s the deep-infiltrating Endometriosis that remains on my sigmoid colon. And it’s put me into a funk. Lots of sadness, loathing, fear, hopelessness.

So I leaned on my support group. I’m the Admin. The founder. The creator of the group. And still it feels wonderful to be able to be so open and vulnerable to those whom I love and share these struggles with. I never feel judged or pitied or anything less than loved. And I’m grateful. Their words of support and encouragement pulled me a smidge out of my funk. Gave me something to hang onto while I was drowning in a sea of self-pity and mourning.

So, today’s quote is inspired by the endless struggle many of us share. And struggles that you have I may not be aware of. It’s not all about Endometriosis:

“Facing it, always facing it, that’s the way to get through. Face it.”

― Conrad Joseph

May we all have the courage to continue to push on. Forge ahead. FACE IT. Head on. And fueled with whatever drive we need. And we face it, together.

Much love to you,

Lisa

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
Masks designed by Sarah Soward. Want your own? Visit her store.

Another week has flown by.

I now have four friends who have tested positive for Covid-19.

One has had a hell of a time with it. She’s been to the ER several times, but luckily escaped being ventilated. It’s been 72 days since her positive test, and she was just in the ER again a few days ago with severe respiratory problems. It’s not been an easy experience for her.

Another two had an easier go with it, hardly any discomfort during the 23 days they had it. And they’re now free and clear.

Another friend just received her positive test results this morning. I can’t imagine her fear and questions.

In the beginning of this whole Covid thing, I admit I thought it was just the flu. That mentality didn’t last long at all as I watched the numbers skyrocket beyond the flu, the deaths stack up, and the ages of the infected spread far from “only the elderly” range. I hoped that if my friends and loved ones were infected, that none would succumb to it. I know the fatality rate is extremely low versus the recovery rate, but it’s still there. In San Diego County as of this morning, there have been 10,092 positive cases; 7,162 recoveries; and 331 deaths. Death is still a possibility, regardless of how slim.

I’m glad for the lockdown. Pleased for the mandated mask order in California. I miss working. I miss my friends. I feel like a mooch on EDD and Federal Aid. I miss hugs and touch. And not wondering “when was this table or chair last disinfected” when we go to a restaurant (I still insist on sitting at an outdoor patio well distanced from others).

I understand not everyone shares my view. And that’s okay.

I have several people I hold dear who won’t wear a mask, and that’s their choice. I can do nothing more than ask that they do. Do I love them less? Not at all. It’s their choice.

But me? I have a chronic illness that may (or may not) be caused due to a lesser-than-optimal immune system. As do countless others in our Endometriosis support group. We may be more susceptible to the virus.

I wear my mask for them. For the elderly at the grocery store. For that child over there. For friends and family who have asthma. For anyone who may be more susceptible to the harder effects of Covid due to underlying medical conditions that I may not be aware of.

I wear a mask to help keep others safe. And I wish everyone would do the same to keep me and others safe.

I miss my friends. My family. Human touch. But this is worth it to me.

Through all of this social isolation, we have had each other. Which leads me to today’s quote:

“Social distancing is staying away from people, not from your purpose.” ~Amit Kalantri

Hang in there guys. This, too, shall pass.

Love, Lisa