28 days until surgery

So, I spoke too soon. Last week, I decided to skip the sugar pills in my birth control pack so I could skip a period for the first time in my life. Well, it still came; just late! I thought I was in the clear. The good news is it was much lighter and somewhat bearable, maybe like a normal person period. Better luck next time.

All of this has confirmed my decision to have surgery in one month. I know the pill isn't a permanent solution, even if I can skip (or kinda skip) my period, but the hormones in birth control aren't good news for fibroids. In fact, it's scary all the things that are linked to fibroids:

• hormones: estrogen, progesterone
• genetics
• age (more common in ladies 30+)
• high body weight (I may meet the age requirement but this one does not apply to me)
• pregnancies (does not apply)

I also read up on foods to avoid. Not that I think eating kale will solve this, but since eating is a daily part of life, why not align it in my favor?

Foods to avoid: sugar, alcohol, soy beans, soy milk (basically any soy), tofu

I also read about dairy possibly causing problems but it seemed hit or miss/couldn't really confirm.

Thankfully, the moment I realized I needed to take my health back, I jumped on the whole30 bandwagon and have been avoiding all of these foods plus grains. I'm not currently able to eat chocolate right now because it has sugar, but I'm also going to pretend it's not on the list of foods to avoid when I finish this round of whole30. Because what is life without chocolate? (30 days without is long enough.)

I've continued to take care of my body through exercise to clear my mind and get those endorphins pumping. I've been walking my dog, skiing, or yoga-ing 5+ days per week. Thankfully, the weather has being cooperating and encouraging me to get outside.

I've also been taking care of my mind in a new way this week. The yoga studio where I teach offered a week long morning Sadhana series. Getting up at 5am each morning hasn't been easy, but it's definitely been worth it (having to make sure I can have a quick whole30 breakfast has also made the mornings a little tricky--each night: gotta plan ahead and go to bed!). I am probably the healthiest I've ever been inside-out, considering what I can control, and isn't that the goal?

Which brings me to the name of my blog. These relatively tiny (5 cm) beasts that are like strange foreign objects in my body. I passionately named my blog because honestly, fibroids suck for me (not necessarily for all who have them though). Everyone's experiences are different, but this is mine. I was mad (along with countless other emotions). It felt right at the time out of anger, and now it's more like an alliterative joke. I watch my mouth from 8-3 M-F but then sometimes you gotta just let it all go. So here it is.

On a positive note, I'm not mad anymore. It's just science, right? It happens. We can't always explain these things and why some things happen to certain people and not others. I didn't earn or deserve these fibroids. I was just unlucky. Now I'm a little scared. But in one month, I'll have more information and hopefully some relief. And just look at how these aliens made me take control of my health for the best.

Fibroids still suck. Sorry (not sorry) about the name if you don't like that word. But stay with me for updates.

More menstrual memories (they come to me periodically):

-driving two hours to camp and then making Nathan drive me home because I realized I needed to be in a bed and near a real bathroom

-the time we did camp and I woke up hourly to walk to the outhouse (I was right the first time)