Yup, still here.

Wow, its been ages... again. Not much going on which is why I haven't posted in months. Life is pretty quiet (thankfully) on the Endo front... this Mirena thing is absolutely fabulous. I really can't say enough good things about it. I'm almost 18 months out from my last lap and I'm doing GREAT! I won't lie and say I am 100% pain free, but really I can't complain. Other than some cramping about 2-3 days out of the month and the random twinge here and there (usually on my right side, as always) I'm doing exceptionally well. I am very blessed that I am one of the lucky ones whom the Mirena seems to be working out for.

A few months ago I had to see my doc though about some bladder issues that I've been having. Me thinks interstitial cystitis... my doc seems to agree. I haven't gone to a urologist just yet as the symptoms haven't become bothersome enough to go through all that testing and discomfort. I was given a list of things to avoid (diet and drink-wise) and I have found that as long as I'm good this keeps the discomfort at bay pretty well.  The Flomax didn't do much for me though. Oh well, we'll see how things go.

So... that's it, I guess. Ho hum, life is boring, yes, but for once I'm thankful for that!

Got Spit?

If you do, would you mind sharing it with the good people over at Juneau Biosciences? They are currently researching the genes that play a roll in predisposing women to Endometriosis. I heard about their research and got really excited to do my part, especially since all it takes is a little spit! I've put up a banner/link to their website on my sidebar, but here it is again for easier access if anyone is interested! End To Endo!

Here is the package they sent me with the collection material, and paper work.

Spit, spit, spit! It looks like a whole lot but actually you just fill to the line and the rest is a preservative. Took me about 3-4 spits to hit the line.

All done! No postage required even! :)

Here is a video about this research and your part in it, should you choose to participate.

1 year post Lap (#2)

Ok, so the year mark for my 2nd Lap isn't until Tuesday, June 1st, but as I'll be working one of my 12 hr shifts @ the hospital, I doubt I'll get on and blog afterward. Plus, the blog was in serious need of updating, so I thought I'd kill 2 birds with one stone tonight.

Here I am, one year out from my last surgery and I have to say, I feel pretty dang good! The verdict on this whole Mirena thing is that while the first few months were a bit onerous, I do not regret it one bit. This lovely contraption has pretty much stopped my periods all together (with the exception of a few days of spotting every once in a blue moon) and I haven't been in any considerable amount of pain in so long that I can hardly remember. Have I been 100% pain free? No, obviously not, BUT have I had to take anything stronger than some Advil every once in a while? NOPE and that's a miracle, considering how I was dependent on Percocet and Zofran to even be able to function this time last year... phew, I'm glad that's in the past.

How long will this blessed break from h*ll last? Who knows, but for now I will certainly take it! I know its just a temporary fix, but for me it has worked a whole lot better than all the gazillion other things/pills I've tried in the past. I'm also aware that it probably doesn't work for everyone, but I'm glad it's done what it's done for me. Hopefully things will continue this way until we are ready for IVF and can get this little sucker yanked!

Lets get this party started!

Happy Endometriosis Awareness Month, ladies! I hope this March will bring lots of info to lots of new people!!!

On a personal note, my right side pain has been flaring up lately and has caused me a weekend full of yuckiness, pain, nausea, nausea, and more nausea. Blegh! Today is just one of those days I wish I could just stay curled up in bed with my pups... too bad I have lab/class in an hour :(

It's working!

While I still have zits like a 13 year old, I have to say that as time goes by I am loving my Mirena more and more! AF came this month and lasted 2 days. TWO days! Not only has it been the shortest AF in recorded Alex history, but it was barely heavy enough to warrant much more than liners! Perhaps I will get to the point where I no longer have them at all! I didn't believe this when my doc said it happens frequently but I am starting to hope now!

Pain wise I am doing great! I still get the occasional cramp and/or pain in the right side but nothing a little bit of Tylenol/Motrin can't fix. I am about 7 months out and I have to say I am really happy with our decision to try the Mirena for a while until we can start IVF. I know it doesn't work for everyone, but so far for me it's been SO worth it! (Yes, even the zits!)

Hello again puberty... now go away!

So I feel stupid complaining about this given how much the Mirena's pro's outweigh it's con's (at least for me thusfar) but seriously... it bugs! I have never had the absolute clearest of skin, but I've never had any real acne problems either. Even puberty wasn't extremely terrible... just your average case of the teenage zits for a few years and that was it... until NOW.

I feel like I've fallen down some sick twisted dermatological time warp! It was really bad right after my Lap, but I figured it was my body getting used to another hormonal shift. I thought it would go away after a month or two... or three? But here we are 6 months out and my face looks like a 14 year old's. Argh... Thank goodness for Neutrogena, it's the only thing that seems to be keeping it in check... well, somewhat.

*Sigh* I suppose this is an acceptable price to pay for less pain, annoying as it may be. Maybe another 6 months? :P

BOO!

Scared ya, didn't I? :) Well, it's been so long I wouldn't be surprised if no one even bothers to check my blog anymore, lol. Thanks Jeanne for sending me that note! :)

So wow, it's been what... 4 months?!?! Geez, I'm such a slacker! Well, so here I am 5 months post-op and feeling much, much, much better! The Mirena took me a while to get comfortable with. I'd been warned about the random spotting and cramping and yes, it certainly did happen. The spotting wasn't really a big deal but the cramps were killer. I still have strong ones every now and then, but certainly not as regularly as 1-2 months post-op. I seriously felt like I was trying to birth the dang thing... I was told this would probably last 4-6 months, but it went away by about 3 months. So really, no biggy. AF is very light these days and like clockwork, its so nice! I heart the Mirena, really, I do! :)

Post-op life has been hectic. I'm in school full time and working as well. I will be applying for the RN program here in a few months and so I've been working hard to keep my 4.0 GPA to snag a spot since its very competitive. I'm also about to complete my CNA certification and am currently job-hunting for a position in our metro hospitals. Life is busy, but I'm having a blast!

All in all I'm feeling really good these days! Every once in a while I'll have a painful day, but they are not frequent at all, thank goodness. Whatever my doc did this last Lap seems to have worked and the Mirena is probably part of it as well. We'll see how I continue to do with it, but so far I'm a fan! :)