Thank you Mamashara at One Grey Elephant blog for hosting the Project Bag Swap.
Aside from lovely crafting, I have been on one heck of a roller coaster ride these last few weeks. Rushed to hospital by ambulance and then surgery 10 days later for removal of a cyst on one ovary and a "clean up." The diagnosis is endometriosis. I am so thankful it is not something worse. This concludes months of exhaustion, depression and an unexplained muffin top that grew from not over eating.
So begins a lot of research in to the world of women's hormones and excess estrogens and xenoestrogens. The surgery, although a laparoscopy has really taken it's toll on me mentally and physically and I never want to go through it again. Being this sick is a burden to my partner and family members that have to travel up to a day to help look after the children.
Even though I lead a pretty good wholefood and natural lifestyle I was extremely tired and depressed and plagued with health issues for over a year. Now I know that the imbalance of hormones has caused this. I keep thinking I'm still 29 years old when in fact I'm a 40 year old mum with young kids which means 40 year old health issues.
Among all the craft and foodie posts on my blog it looks like women's health care will be popping up quite a bit but in some ways it's all related.
Now back to dodging paper airplanes in bed.
What have you been making dear crafty friends? Are you dealing with a women's health issue? I would love to hear your story. If you would prefer to share privately, please email me using the link next to my profile picture.
Joining in with all the crafty folks at Keep Calm Craft On and Yarn Along
Zena xx
I am nearing 40 myself and yes, it is not being in one's 20's is it? It is hard being sick, I hope you feel much better soon with the surgery behind you, etc. beautiful gift you got! mercies are seen. lit a candle for you!
ReplyDeleteIt was a shining light receiving a thoughtful gift. Thank you dear Elizabeth.
Deletewelcome!!! candle still burning for you! I know how much gifts can mean when ill!!!
DeleteTake care Zena - sounds like you have had a rough trot. I have 5 daughters most of whom suffer from the same issue - very nasty stuff.
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky in someways by getting this problem later in life and not in my early 20's when women mostly get it. Your poor girls!
DeleteSo glad to hear you're ok! what a scare for you...xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristie xx
DeleteI do hope it's all good from now on Zena, and you can put your ill health behind you. How lovely to receive the beautiful packages in the post. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping the worst is over and I can make some lifestyle changes so it doesn't happen again. Thoughtful crafting is a wonderful thing.
DeleteZena, sorry to hear you haven't been well. A friend of mine had an ovarian cyst when she was pregnant and I had to rush her to hospital.She was in agony. Apparently they are quite common but I am thankful I never had one. I do hope your health improves this year.
ReplyDeleteOh dear that would be the worst case scenario. What I don't understand is why they are so common. It just doesn't sound right to me.
DeleteOh my goodness! What a lovely swap! I also have endometriosis, and I know that it can be quite painful indeed. I've had one surgical procedure to remove some of the tissue, but I'm pretty sure it needs done again. Hope you are feeling better soon!
ReplyDeleteYour projects are beautiful. I'm sorry about your health scare, I hope you start finding balance and health - those things are scary. Thank you for your kind comment on my blog. Take care!
ReplyDeleteso sorry you've been ill, but thankfully you have answers and can move onward and upward in good health! fingers crossed :) lovely fairisle knitting!!
ReplyDeleteHormones Zena...a crazy rocky road that consistently throws up ??'s How, why, where? Feels like there is still just not enough known about women's hormones...or maybe make that women's bodies!
ReplyDeleteRest well. Dodge those paper airplanes and hope you have some aaahaaa moments in your readings where it all (kinda) slots in. x
As is typical of many 'women's ailments' endometriosis is often wrongly trivialised. Drs will say it takes 3 weeks to recover from lap surgery but it is more like 3 months at least! Make that 6 months. Endometriosis has serious implications so be gentle on yourself and your body. There is so much more knowledge and awareness now than when I was diagnosed many years ago so you have that in your favour. Wishing you a successful recovery.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to get that recognition about the length of recovery. I know I am lucky that I have been diagnosed at a time where there are women practitioners who are treating women with the latest innovations. I have read such horrors stories of constant surgery and hormonal treatments with terrible side effects.
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