Miscellaneous

A Statement from Alicia Landis

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Alicia is a friend of mine, an EndoSister, and a reader of my little blog.  Today she shared something with me that I would like to share with you:

Did you know that 1 in 10 women get Endometriosis and not know it? Endometriosis is a non-curable disease that can spread throughout the body and it is not testable. No matter what type of technology doctors use except laparoscopic surgery can be detected to find an accurate diagnosis of the disease. Yes we all know that Endo is on the uterus, ovaries and Fallopian tubes but I also learned that it can spread throughout the body and can be dormant in other places in the body. Not every case is the same, but we should all understand that we are doing our very best to spread awareness and let people know that approximately 176 million women around the world are affected by this disease. So if you know someone who thinks they might have Endometriosis that needs to be checked out, then they should do so right away. Studies show that it also takes up to 10 years to find an accurate diagnosis. I myself did a hysterectomy thinking it was a cure but it really isn’t. That’s why in the month of March, we wear yellow to celebrate Endometriosis Awareness Month, because not only are we warriors but champions, and together we can defeat this disease and together we can make a difference. Thank you.

Alicia, thank you for spreading awareness in all of the ways that you do and for allowing me to share it here. May others share it as well!  Wishing you a beautiful and healthy 2018.

Free Downloadable Book by Dr. Seckin

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New Medical Textbook Focusing Solely on Endometriosis, Now Available!

Last year, Dr. Seckin and colleagues collaborated and wrote a free, downloadable 500-page book about Endometriosis “to help students, doctors, scientists, physicians, healthcare workers, and patients, to deepen and broaden their knowledge and foster a precise, individualized approach to the treatment of endometriosis patients.”

I meant to share it several months ago when I first saw it, but it slipped through the cracks.  BUT, I’m doing it now!

For more information on the free book, as well as how you (or your healthcare providers, friends, or family), can download Endometriosis – A Concise Practical Guide to Current Diagnosis and Treatment, please follow this link:

https://www.drseckin.com/new-medical-textbook-focusing-solely-on-endometriosis-now-available

Thank you, Dr. Seckin, for all that you do!

Period Woes…and some laughs

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Laugh with me!!

So, I started my period last Friday.  It wasn’t any big surprise; I knew it was coming…BUT I failed to take inventory of my pads…um…uh…poor decision.

So, Friday was my heavy, heavy flow day.  I used up several of my Supers (all of them, actually).  I thought I had Regular pads left…nope.  Come Saturday, I was in need of some protection!  But couldn’t really leave the house yet…

I found some “Super” pads from our local  Dollar Store hiding in our guest bathroom and didn’t have a choice.  Did it overflow? Nope.  Well then, what’s the problem?

The first time I pulled my panties down to pee after applying the pad, there was a … malfunction…

You know how you tear off the pad backing and smash it onto your panties? Then it’s stuck in place for the day?  Well, when I pulled my undies down the pad stuck to my feminine bits…but the backing tore off and remained glued to my panties.  So there I stood: the sticky-pad backing clinging to my chonies and the actual pad itself period-glued to my bits.

I just kind of stood there, laughing.

I guess you get what you paid for…

Have you had any crazy pad or tampon malfunctions? Oh, do share in the comments below!

 

 

 

It’s Not Always Bad…

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So, I blog a lot on here about the symptoms of Endometriosis, the misery, the agony, the pain (both physical and emotional).  I share your stories, some good, some bad.  I do all I can to make this disease real to people who may not understand it.

But today, I want to share that there are times where this battle may not be all bad.  I often feel guilty for the good days.  BUT there are good days…and I hope that if you suffer from Endometriosis, that there are times when you have a good day here and there. Embrace those days.  Hold onto them to help you get through the painful ones.

It could be the effects of my 2016 excision surgery.  It could be I’ve been trying hard to be good with my diet.  It could be that I skipped my period in October completely (and, no…I’m not pregnant).  It could be that my recent cataract surgery stressed out my body and threw my cycle out of whack.  Whatever the reason, this October has been absolutely incredible.  Sure, I had the cramping on October 14th, but that totally turned out to be triggered by constipation. Yes…poop.  I talk about that here, too. *wink*  I’ve discussed this skipped cycle with my physician and I’ll just be tracking them until my annual check-up next April.

I cannot stress how important being able to experience a pain-free day can be to your mental health and quality of life.  I wish all of my EndoSisters could have them more often…or, in some cases, just have one!

I do not know what made October so different, but I leave you with these pearls:

  • Find a physician that listens to your concerns and needs.
  • Find a surgeon who is familiar with Endometriosis and who practices excision (not ablation).  I cannot stress this enough.
  • Identify and eliminate foods that trigger or worsen your symptoms.
  • Do not be afraid to ask for stronger pain medication.
  • Seek complementary forms of treatment.  I’ve heard great things about acupuncture, pelvic floor therapy, meditation, biofeedback, and supplements.
  • Bond with a support group.  Share ideas, share your story, learn from one another.

I’ve no idea if November will be as marvelous as October.  But there’s only one way to find out.  And you can rest assured I’ll keep you posted.

I hope that you are able to celebrate the good days.  And if you aren’t allowed a pain-free day, I hope that you have at least a good moment during the day.  Take a breath and savor it.

Pelvic Pain Solutions: Limited Time Discount!

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http://www.pelvicpainsolutions.com

Our friends at Pelvic Pain Solutions are offering a deal for our Readers. ❤

If you’re in the market for pelvic seat cushions or pelvic therapy pads, you’ll receive 15% off by using the discount code, LW15!  But hurry…the coupon expires on November 1, 2017.

If you haven’t heard of Pelvic Pain Solution’s pelvic therapy pads, they offer hands-free hot or cold compresses: the EndoFEMM Pad, the Endo-lite Travel Pad, the  Pelvic Floor pad (which extends from pelvic bone to tailbone), and the Multi-Comfort Pad (which sounds divine: coverage of the tummy, pelvic area, lower back, and tailbone!)  I have my EndoFEMM and freakin’ LOVE it!  I wrote a little review of my experience here.  I own the full size and the travel size versions.

I’m workin’ the fitting the pelvic seat cushion into my budget, but Pelvic Pain Solutions (and other people who have purchased them) say they’re helpful for pelvic discomfort and relieving pain and tension.  I’ve recently discovered the life-changing benefits of having a lumbar pillow on the back of my chair at work at in my Jeep and have high expectations for a pelvic cushion!

Thanks, Babette, and everyone at Pelvic Pain Solutions for all that you do. ❤

Cataract Surgery has been Scheduled!

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Gigantic dilated eyes are the window to the soul?

Okay! Here we go!

Today I met with my ophthalmologist and we talked about my eyeballs.  I learned quite a few things today.

He confirmed that I do have two cataracts in my left eye.  The first is a benign congenital cataract. One that I was born with.  He cannot say if it has or hasn’t grown over my 38 years ’cause he didn’t know me when I was born, but it’s small and out of the way 😉  He did confirm it’s there and it’s sounds to be in the same spot it was when I learned about it 15 years ago.

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When do you decide … it’s time?

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So, I have a very important question for you, my Readers.  I value your input and feedback. I always have.  But now I need your advice…

When do you know when it’s time to go back to your doctor and let them know that your pain is returning, that you’re afraid your Endometriosis is back with a vengeance, that it may be time to begin pursuing yet another surgery?

Yet, here I sit afraid that it’s still all in my head.  That I’m blowing my pain out of proportion.  That I’ve lived without it as intense for months and am now not used to it and am labeling it as large, debilitating pain.

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