Following Up

Hello lovelies,  this post is to follow up to a previous one from 2 months ago.  I had been losing hours at work and in the midst of applying for government funding (CERB here in Canada).  It was very stressful, and with the website crashing, I had to be up at 3:30 in the morning to apply... it was a time of frustration, fear and uncertainty.  Then within a few weeks, the hours eventually came back at work and now it's the opposite kind of stress...

I hardly have time for the things I enjoy (or tasks for at home, which have been on the back burner for many days now).  I'm dealing with the mass frustration of customers who've been locked up at home for months and are venting all their negative emotions, while we're busier than we ever have been before, since this is the first time our store has dealt with a pandemic.  I've been crying and feeling really out of sorts...  and yet, surprisingly the last period I had (from about May 11 to May 15 or so) was relatively short, not overly heavy, and the cramps were tolerable!  I'd be so happy if they were all like that 😁

I had mentioned in that post that I'd like to replace my jeans with more maternity ones... and right after I wrote that, pretty well all the clothing stores shut down due to COVID-19, so I'm glad I got the one pair I did when I could!

As I type this, it's May 20th and the world is slowly opening up... and hopefully in the process, the stress [everyone's feeling] will begin to lift, and we'll feel hope & renewal again.



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On a different note, I suppose you might be able to say I'm experiencing an "anniversary" of sorts...  Back in May of 2017, I had my first truly terrifying heavy flow experience, which landed me in the ER (due to lightheadedness, paleness, shaking, and other signs of shock from blood loss). 


Part 1 and Part 2 of this ER story.


The above are from a previous blog I had run, due to being a professional artist, specializing in cartooning. I'm a purveyor of the "cute".  I find it calming and soothing, and want to share that. 

So, at the time in 2017, they knew I was having issues with heavy bleeding and I was advised to cut back on caffeine, stay calm, stay hydrated, etc.  ...But it wasn't until Autumn of 2019 that I was officially diagnosed with fibroids by our family doctor, after having several more episodes of massive blood flow and extremely painful cramps!  

Around this time last year, we were on a family trip to Las Vegas, and I'd been having a heavy flow one particular day.  Rob & I checked various stores (CVS, Walgreens, etc.) for cheaply priced feminine hygiene products, and most of them were upward of $6 so I turned my nose up at them.  I assumed I'd be okay, but then waiting for the opening to the Terry Fator Show in the Mirage, we were running short on time and I was soaking my last pad, so I had to emergency shop at the hotel gift shop, spending about $37 (yes) on FH so I could be comfortable and not stained...  I've been kicking myself ever since, for not coming more prepared!  

The above was a fundamental life lesson about being well prepared!

Belly Bloat and COVID-19 Stress

This is a photo of my belly, in my new "maternity" jeans. It's bloated because of having a distended uterus caused by ever-growing fibroids.  I've been asked already if we're expecting, and we're not.

 This explains why I was never able to "flatten" my tummy with abdominal crunches...

Anyway, prior to learning I have fibroids, I always thought it looked strange when staring at it from above - whether that be in the bathtub, half sitting up in bed, or just sitting around in general.  I look at it a lot from the side in mirrors, as well.  When I tell someone I feel bloated, they almost always skinny-shame me and make the moment awkward.


Here are more images of these comfy new jeans (I plan on getting more later when I can afford to, and when it's safe to shop again:

 

I really love how the band just hugs my bloated belly (swollen uterus), but it isn't tight!  I am looking forward to eventually replacing the jeans with buttons... with these beauties 😍 

On COVID-19-induced Stress:

It's no secret that fibroids have blood vessels of their own (which is why the periods can be so damn heavy!), and it's no secret that emotional stress increases blood pressure, which in turn, increases bleeding.  Thankfully, prior to this period, it's been months since my last "outburst" in the summer of 2019.  But since this coronavirus has spread, and all the news sources, social media, and basically the entire world have been putting out warnings about it, I've been getting increasingly worried.  Believe it or not, it's not the thought of being sick that frightens me. It's the way the world as we know it is shutting down, and frankly, I'm frightened for the economic future.  My shifts are being drastically cut at work, and I dread the thought of possibly having our home put into foreclosure if we cannot afford the mortgage.  My husband is a fast food manager and right now, it's basically drive-thru only, so he is coming home early. I am happy to see him of course, but it seems soon, neither of us may be going to work for awhile.. and will need to apply for a government grant to help out.  These thoughts increase my bleeding, and I've been having my current period for about 8 days now... and was spotting lightly before that.  I've been taking my iron supplements to the best of my ability, since right now, it's not as easy to go to the doctor about symptoms.

I was ironically told by a friend, recently, that now everyone's nearly out of work, I should go ahead and have a hysterectomy.  As tempting as that it, right now, hospitals cannot really cater to non-emergencies.  It's just not safe right now to bring in potential germs where there are very sick patients, plus the staff & resources are currently focusing on this virus.  I respect that.

Thankfully, I haven't been overexerting myself recently (with my shifts so aggressively cut), so I'm mostly taking it easy at home.  The bleeding seems to be slowing down today, so that's a good sign.  And I'll take another iron supplement with lunch today.

In the meantime, it's important right now that we:

• Listen to our government officials - and heed their advice!
• Only go out for things we need, like extra food & medication.
• Practice social distancing, but in the most respectful way possible.
• Keep ourselves and our hands and surfaces we touch, clean.
• This means please do not cough or sneeze on your hands. Please use your inner elbow.
• Bow rather than hug or shake hands... it's been an alternate sign of respect for centuries.
• Reach out to loved ones and neighbors over the phone, and offer services.
• Distance ourselves from the sick and from the vulnerable.
• Keep a positive mindset and share the love 💗

Follow-up

About 2 weeks ago, I saw our family doctor about an issue with my belly button, and found out I had a small wound and weakened abdominal muscles, and that there was a minor infection (and some potential intestinal tissue exposed).

The doctor prescribed me a powder spray called Micatin, which is often used to treat "yeast" issues such as Athlete's Foot, but has also been good for improving my belly button:

Now I've done several "sprays" of Micatin into my belly button, and it's interesting.  It is shockingly cold and stings for a few seconds - the first time I thought I'd just applied liquid nitrogen!  Afterward, it sort of "hisses" and sizzles while it cleans, similar to hydrogen peroxide.

Aside from that, I'm happy to report that I'm no longer plagued by tender pain in the abdominal region, and when I look inside my belly button, it appears less swollen & pink.


I want to take a moment to remind you all to please be careful when cleaning your bellies of lint, as the tissue inside is very delicate and vulnerable to injury!  Thank you 😊

Well That's a Relief! - Sort Of...

On Monday, I wrote a post about feeling nervous regarding an upcoming doctor's visit.  I was concerned the one fibroid (of several) I have on the top-outside of my uterus, may have been poking through my belly button:

The greyish flesh is normal for me, it's the darker & shiny flesh that worries me.   As it turns out, following an abdominal exam and some questions, it seems it's a slight umbilical hernia.  Basically, I have weak ab muscles and my intestine is "peeking out".  This won't go back to normal on it's own, and sadly it's my own fault.  Last time I cleaned out belly button lint, I got a little overzealous and caused a minor injury to the flesh inside ☹


This means:

• It's not a cancerous growth after all (thank God!)
• It's not related to an advancement in my fibroids
• My belly button will always be "open" like this and I need to be very careful with it
• I cannot over exert myself with exercise or lifting heavy things
• I need to keep it clean & dry with that powder spray twice daily
• It could eventually expand and may require surgery
• Tight clothes are out of the question!
• It will always be a little tender & painful ☹

On a side note, I asked the doctor for advice on Uterine Artery Embolization, and he strongly advises against it.  Personally, I'm glad to hear it and appreciate his frankness about the possibility of blood clots that could go into the heart or brain.  So I'm not going to continue to seek that treatment if my fibroids flare up again like they did last year.

However, I am not lobbying against it if it's something that you want to do.  Like all medical procedures, it carries both risks and benefits.

Here's to the best!

Getting Very Nervous

Right now, I'm feeling incredibly nervous.  I almost feel as though my treatment is tomorrow, and I haven't even had any kind of treatment set up yet!  😓

However, for the past nearly 2 weeks, I've been noticing some strange pain in my belly button.  I cleaned it thoroughly with cotton swabs and peroxide, and then thought nothing too much of it.  It appeared to just be a bit of lint and then a couple days later, it was still hurting.  So I continued to put peroxide on a cotton ball and use medical tape to hold it in.  Then I noticed a small amount of a thick, pinkish fluid - but now it's too clean to be infected.  So it occurred to me that my fibroids may be doing some damage behind my belly button, that's pushing it's way out of my body!?


I went so far as to do research on what this may mean, and I learned about something called a Sister Mary Joseph's Nodule.  Admittedly, this left me pretty shook!


Mine isn't as far advanced yet, but when I look into my belly button, I see a small red lump which could possibly be associated with my growing fibroids, so it's worth having it checked out.

The thing that really concerns me is that, whenever I move a certain way (bending or squatting, or turning in bed) I feel a tender pain right inside my belly button.  I've taken some photos; this is the clearest one, below:

Please excuse my bloating and "5 O'clock shadow".  The greyish/white tissue is pretty normal for me, since I'm pasty.  This photo was taken upside down from above, so the darker node in what would be the upper right side, isn't normal.  That's what hurts and that is why I'm going to call the doctor for an appointment as soon as possible.


Here's to hoping it's benign, even if it is just the fibroid on top of my uterus, trying to come out into the world... 

Being Cold All The Damn Time

Believe it or not, this annoying (and sometimes embarrassing) phenomenon is a symptom of fibroids.  Well, it's caused by a symptom of fibroids: Anemia due to loss of iron from heavy blood loss.

This may not sound like it's related to needing a sweater or wanting to sit by a fireplace, but there is a correlation.  According to one medical website - Crozer-Keystone Health System - the loss of oxygen, iron and nutrients from anemia, can lead to a slew of problems such as tiredness and cold extremities, but is often easily fixable with iron supplements and a healthier diet.



Despite my tiny frame, I wasn't always freezing as a child or adolescent.

Me in 2016, about 28

In fact, even in my earlier adulthood, I don't recall constantly requiring a sweater.  It was around when my periods began to become heavy a few years ago, that I started to always be cold [the entire month and not just "that week"].  I just wasn't yet aware of the correlation between the two.


Anyway, I'm writing this blog post to let people know the reason that I shiver in room temperature and wear 4 layers of clothes is nothing funny, and I have a legitimate medical reason.  And it is very mean to mock and tease me over it.  The nerve! :)

Seriously though, if you know anyone in your life who is tiny, pale, or otherwise almost not quite like you, please think before judging and don't put her or the spot or make a scene about it. Though you may harbor some resentment for the skinny, I can tell you just how unpleasant it is to have to wear a housecoat around home in June when everyone else is nice & warm. 
Thank you for your consideration. 

Hold The Phone

The first time I heard the phrase "hold the phone"(with the meaning of 'let's not go any further yet until more details are discovered') was when I was 13 years old and watching the first of 4 Shrek movies.  He was shocked (and excited) to witness delicate Princess Fiona just win a fight against a whole group of robbers.

Image belongs to DreamWorks Studio and is subject to copyright

Anyway, I'm going to use the phrase a little differently here.  Now I'm meaning that I'm going to hold on before I go any further with a potential hysterectomy.  I was diagnosed with fibroids in late September this year (2019), and told that a hysterectomy was the best course of action.  To be fair, I've had some issues with heavy bleeding, which has costed me a lot of money on feminine hygiene products these past couple of years. 💸  It also nearly cost me my life when I first discovered it in Spring 2017. That's when I learned about Cyklokapron, a blood-clotting medication I take during the really heavy ones, along with iron supplements, while I await treatment.


Currently, I'm very busy taking extra shifts at work, to fill the spot of an injured co-worker.  I'm also volunteering [with my awesome husband] for the Salvation Army, and trying to prepare for a fast-approaching Christmas.  In January, there will be a family trip to the tropics.  So it will be early 2020 when I next see my family doctor.


These past few months, I just assumed that I'd be having a hysterectomy to treat my fibroids - I even took the time to write an eBook for husbands about the subject.  I joined some hysterectomy support groups to connect with women who've had them done, and read up as much as I could. I've talked both of Rob's ears off now, about how long I'm probably going to be on bed rest and how our home is going to go to pot, and how I'll be in endless pain... you know, whining.

 

I'm very grateful to have recently learned more about a procedure called Uterine Artery Embolization, in which a catheter is carefully inserted into an artery (often in the groin) and tiny granules are released into the blood vessels that feed the fibroids, resulting in them "dying" and shrinking. Though it has risks, it's significantly less invasive and recovery time is significantly shorter! 

So I've decided to "hold the phone" on my initial thought of going forward with a hysterectomy, until I've seen my doctor in early 2020 and booked an appointment with a specialist to do the UAE. 

Tune in later for updates!