I need to get back to writing in this space more frequently. It gives me balance and a place to work through the thoughts bouncing around in my brain.
I've had a lot going on lately. Not bad, just busy. It leaves little time for me or for writing.
Over the past few days, I've been feeling the full weight of all that we've lost. Seeing all of the Christmas lights brought it to a head tonight.
Maybe it's the holidays and thinking about all of the traditions that we thought we were going to make with our children. Maybe it's the sudden burst of people my age or older having babies making me wonder if we stopped too soon. Maybe it's knowing that 2018 will bring another niece or nephew. Maybe it's end of the semester stress. Maybe it's all of it.
I'm struggling a bit.
I'm trying to go easy on myself and I know it will get better again. But tonight it's hard.
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Friday, November 17, 2017
Validation Anniversary
One year ago today, I had surgery to remove endometriosis. Well, I can't remember the exact date, but I know I had the surgery the Friday before Thanksgiving last year, and it's the Friday before Thanksgiving this year, so.....
Prior to the surgery, I'd spent 20 years insisting that something was wrong and begging and pleading with doctors to help me. On this day last year, I got proof that there was indeed something wrong and that it wasn't all in my head. I was validated. All of those years of pain and misery suddenly had a cause.
Last year I couldn't make the 10-minute walk from the parking garage to my office without significant pain, and the three-hour blocks that I teach in were excruciating. Exercise was out of the question. Now I feel great. I'm not completely pain-free, but I don't have much pain most of the time. Walking from the parking garage to my office is no big deal. Teaching in three-hour blocks is still taxing, but nothing like before. I'm back to going to the gym 3-4 days a week and I'm doing things that I haven't been able to do in years. I've also lost about 15 pounds which has been good for my self-esteem.
Emotionally, I'm still very angry that I spent so long with nobody listening. And I'm angry that this could have been a contributing factor to infertility and that if it had been addressed earlier in my life maybe we would have been able to have kids. More globally, I'm angry that my experience isn't unique. I'm angry that women's pain isn't taken seriously or is just plain brushed off.
Anyway, I'm feeling pensive today. And so grateful that a doctor finally listened to me. I really do feel like I have my life back.
Prior to the surgery, I'd spent 20 years insisting that something was wrong and begging and pleading with doctors to help me. On this day last year, I got proof that there was indeed something wrong and that it wasn't all in my head. I was validated. All of those years of pain and misery suddenly had a cause.
Last year I couldn't make the 10-minute walk from the parking garage to my office without significant pain, and the three-hour blocks that I teach in were excruciating. Exercise was out of the question. Now I feel great. I'm not completely pain-free, but I don't have much pain most of the time. Walking from the parking garage to my office is no big deal. Teaching in three-hour blocks is still taxing, but nothing like before. I'm back to going to the gym 3-4 days a week and I'm doing things that I haven't been able to do in years. I've also lost about 15 pounds which has been good for my self-esteem.
Emotionally, I'm still very angry that I spent so long with nobody listening. And I'm angry that this could have been a contributing factor to infertility and that if it had been addressed earlier in my life maybe we would have been able to have kids. More globally, I'm angry that my experience isn't unique. I'm angry that women's pain isn't taken seriously or is just plain brushed off.
Anyway, I'm feeling pensive today. And so grateful that a doctor finally listened to me. I really do feel like I have my life back.
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