Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Women’s Health: Suffer with Fibroids no Longer

Sorry for the delay in posts. I have been preparing for a health event in two days.

Years ago when I was pregnant with my son, I was told that I had uterine fibroids. They were small at the time and no need for concern. Like many women, especially those of African descent, having uterine fibroids is common and without complications, there is no need to worry about them.

For those like me, the complications become a way of life without the knowledge that is it not normal. It has been common to hear the women in my family discuss the discomforts during their menses. Figuring it was just a “family thing”, I did no research to discover why we suffer.

Last year during my annual exam I expressed concern for my IUD placement (4 years old) and the practitioner was concerned about the fibroids. Being I was a new client of theirs, they scheduled an ultrasound to check both in addition to a complete blood workup. Not hearing from the office, I assumed all was fine.

This year I scheduled my annual exam at the IUD removal date (5 years). The practitioner, a different one this time, recommended that we wait until hubby was cleared from his procedure before the IUD removal. After the exam, we met in her office to discuss my test results from the previous year.

To our shock, I was supposed to have been contacted last year. My iron levels were and the ultrasound showed that the IUD was near my cervix and ready for expulsion. She ordered a new round of tests and prescribed iron supplements.

During the first ultrasound the tech (a man) did not identify anything on the display to me. This time the tech (a woman) turned the display to my view identifying the large fibroid and the NON-EXISTENT IUD. She had to check the “other way” to verify. will not discuss that further…

It was confirmed at next office visit. The IUD had left the building and no more discussion was necessary. We talked about the fibroids, the results noted one large one and others, sizes not specified. After discussing several options, myomectomy for the largest one, but the others can grow larger, Endometrial Ablation which can reduce some symptoms but does nothing for fibroids, and Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) that attacks all fibroids.

As I researched this condition, I discovered there are many women like me who dealt with the complications of uterine fibroids and had no idea that treatment is readily available.

Since there are no future fertility issues and I am far away from menopause, I took door #3. UFE is non-surgical and has the quickest recovery.

Last week I had a pelvis MRI to better document the fibroids and their placement to confirm my eligibility for the procedure. To my surprise the procedure is scheduled for Thursday. I am anxious to finally be relieved of the complications and a little nervous about the complexity of the procedure. At this point the complications outweigh the complexity because my faith exist, all will be fine.

If any of you or your family members is suffering too, I encourage you to review the sources below and any of the plentitude of others out there. No one needs to suffer needlessly, I plan to NO MORE!

Resources:
Atlanta Interventional Institute
Ask4UFE
Ask4Tell4

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Pork vs Beef vs Education


compliments of @tokyosteven on Twitter

OK so the other day we had an office picnic. All kinds of food were provided – hot dogs, hamburgers, sides, desserts and they even roasted a pig! When we were in line, the hot dogs were next to the barbecue. Now, being allergic to poultry and knowing that most hot dogs are made with chicken, I asked the girl (who had helped in preparing all the food, even so far as pulling the barbecue off of the pig) if the hot dogs were 100% beef. She looked a bit dumbfounded. “That’s OK. I was just asking because I’m allergic,” I mentioned.

“Well, I don’t know if they’re 100% beef or not, but I know THAT is!” She pointed over at the barbecue.

Oh really? “No, it’s not,” I said calmly.

“Oh yes it is!” She was starting to get upset.

“I can guarantee you it’s not beef,” I suggested.

“I know for a fact it is!” she shot back.

OK, I figured it was time to let her off the hook. I leaned over and half whispered, “Beef comes from a cow. Pork comes from a pig.”

She blushed and made up some excuse about being tired. Everyone had a good laugh.

A few days later, I saw her again and we rode the elevator together. She saw the to-go cup I was carrying and asked about my lunch. I told her that I had been to a local barbecue restaurant and then added, “I had their 100% beef pork barbecue.”

“Mmm, that sounds nice,” she said complacently.

Some folks never learn. Honestly, I was just trying to bust her chops in the elevator. But in the end, I still don’t know if they’re beef chops or pork chops.

Monday, November 10, 2008

ain't parenting fun?

There comes a time in midst of cooking, cleaning, laundry, and planning, when a parent may want to scream. For all you do, you feel unappreciated when you discover that your kids have not completed the simple instructions you give them.

Don't bother other kids stuff
Don't ride your bikes in the muddy clay
Fix your bed when you get up
Keep your (shared) bathroom clean
Empty the trash in your rooms
Clear your toys when you're done
Don't ride your bikes up to the door
Get out of bed when your alarm goes off


When confronted with disobeying the rules, all you hear is 'OH, I Forgot'...

I felt the urge to yell and scream several times this past weekend, but chose other options that kept my blood pressure at its normal 120/70.

The progression of consequences for their actions was:

Son:
Ride your bike only in street or sidewalks
Stay off bike, since you can control it
Unplugged TV
Stay in the yard


Niece:
Stay off bike, since you can't remember
Unplugged TV
Stay in the yard


If they continue, it will be
No visitors
Stay in house


So parents, there are many ways to encourage, influence, manipulate, and persuade, your kids without blowing a gasket.

Son was up, dressed, and fixing his breakfast within 15 minutes of his alarm sounding.

It's so nice being a parent.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

four pregnancies in three years?

Age 16, pregnant, but "claimed" it was false positive
Age 17, pregnant, but "claimed" miscarriage
Age 18, pregnant, but "claimed" stillborn (possible hoax)
Age 19, pregnant, allegedly

How can we get through to our young women that this is not good?
The ramifications on their health, mental and physical, can be tremendous and irreversable.

It's hard to teach prevention when they are not in your home and under your care. Surrounding influences is master.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

next steps to a better country for all

Now that we have a new president-elect, there are two things that we must do:

1) Remember our Nov. 5th etiquette

2) Don't let this happen

I will do my best for both...

Monday, November 3, 2008

now what if...is it possible?

I am not writing this post on the eve of what is going to be a monumental day in history to change any one's mind. Actually "if you don't know by now, you will never know" who to vote for.

These are just some thoughts that have been floating around 90% of my brain while the other 10% has been engaged all day. Thoughts of campaigns, rallies, slanderous advertising, promises, plans, agendas, prank calls, massive media coverage, blogs, and micro-blogging. There is so much hype and propaganda that it is hard to discern the truth of what an elected official will accomplish. I need to get this out of my head so I can sleep tonight.

So my mind came to rest on a WHAT IF situation.
WHAT IF there was a candidate that was held as the GREAT WHITE/BLACK HOPE.
WHAT IF there was a candidate that gave excellent speeches that were heartfelt to the masses.
WHAT IF there was a candidate who could appeal to 95% of the voting population.
WHAT IF there was a candidate who could raise unprecedented amounts of capital.
WHAT IF there was a candidate who one appeared intelligent, articulate, and "down to earth" at the same time.
WHAT IF there was a candidate who appeared to have the answer to most of the problems facing the majority of the voting population.
WHAT IF there was a candidate who ran a campaign like well-oil engine that purred continuously.

WHAT IF this candidate was the result of an elaborate, meticulously-planned, well-financed PR project. The image created by this project was the best that any voter had ever seen.
WHAT IF this candidate won by a horrendous landslide.
WHAT IF this candidate failed to render proposed agenda.
WHAT IF this candidate was able to blame failures on existing conditions from when term commenced
WHAT IF this candidate was reelected, without any accomplishments

WHAT IF this became true...COULD IT?

Hubby says I have no faith, I say I have low expectations, but an active imagination
 

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