Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

So this post is going to be about periods. Bad periods. But I promise I will not be graphic. So, if there are any guys reading this (which I doubt), you might want to continue on with your web browsing.

I was unsure as to whether to write about this topic and my experience, so I asked Susanne’s opinion to which she said, “Jen, we all have periods and we are not 12.” Not in a harsh way, in a nice supportive way, and I thought, that is SO true!

I think us girls can handle it.

I am writing this post mostly to ask for help and advice and to see if anyone has experience with a procedure called endometrial ablation (EA)?  It was something that was completely unheard of to me until this week. But first, the back story on my experience and what lead me to look into this.

The past 6 months I have been plagued with horrendous periods. I have been in so much pain from stomach pain and cramping, that for almost 3 days out of the month I am MISERABLE.

On those days I try to make it through the day until my husband gets home so I can lie in bed with a heating pad. I also get so bloated I look like I am 5 months pregnant. Each month I hope it will be better, and each month it has gotten worse.

So I took steps to get into see a new gynecologist this week to see what I can do and to try to get help because I can’t live like this anymore.  She said it sounds like I have endometriosis, but an exact diagnosis is impossible without surgery. I am going for a pelvic ultrasound in a few days to check for cysts and to make sure there is nothing else going on in there. Of which I pray everything is OK. In my gut I know it will be.

I was presented with options to help, none of which I am excited about, but nonetheless, there are options.

First one I am going to try is a prescription strength naproxen (Aleve.) I am going to try this next month as the over-the-counter stuff is not doing anything for me.

If that doesn’t work for the pain, another option is hormones. Most specifically birth control pills, NuvaRing, Depo-Provera (shots given at the doctor’s office every three months), or an IUD. But I had an IUD in-between pregnancies and had cramping and continuous bleeding, so I don’t want to do that again.

The thing is, my husband and I have already taken the steps to permanently prevent pregnancy since we made the decision that we are done having kids, so I really would prefer not to be on hormones since I don’t need it for birth control.

Then she told me about NovaSure Endometrial Ablation (EA), which is for premenopausal women (OMG I am in a category labeled “premenopausal” at age 37 – eek!) who are finished childbearing. Yep, that’s me.

It’s a procedure that removes the uterine lining to reduce or eliminate bleeding. That means that a percentage of women never get their period again. Others just get a very light period and it doesn’t affect your natural hormones.

I’m not going to lie, on the surface this sounds AMAZING. But I want to hear from real women that have had ablation done to hear their reviews or feedback.

I am a little concerned because most of what I have read about the procedure says it is done to reduce heavy bleeding, with no mention of cramping. Heavy bleeding is not a problem for me, it’s just the horrendous pelvic pain. I am compiling a list of questions for my doctor, this will be one of them.

If anyone would be willing to share their experience, I would be so grateful.  And if you prefer not to share via comment, you can email me at jennifer {@} tinyoranges.com.

Thanks for listening to this post on girl stuff and enduring the TMI about my personal periods.  I just had a feeling that some women would be able to help and offer their advice!

XOXO
Jen

For anyone that missed my blog last week, my two-year-old daughter Morgan, had a minor surgery to remove an umbilical cyst. Here is the first post to get you up to speed just in case.

I am so happy to report that she is doing GREAT.

I learned so many things from going through this experience I wanted to share my tips on surviving a surgery with a toddler.

Many of the things I learned I have YOU to thank for. The support and advice of my readers’ comments were so helpful. I was so grateful I wrote that first post and got such awesome advice. It was easier knowing what to expect going into it.

Morgan’s procedure was fairly minor in comparison to many. We were lucky. But for any parent that has had to endure their child being put under anesthesia whether it be for ear tubes, dental work, or something else, can attest, the thought of your child being put under is downright scary.

Here is what I learned:

1. The surgery was WAY harder on me than it was for her. The day before I felt sick to my stomach and had so much anxiety.  Much more than I expected.

2. The “happy juice” is real.  It is called Versed (Midazolam) and they gave it to her about 30 minutes prior to taking her in to the operating room. It made her VERY loopy and relaxed. I now know what my toddler would look like if she was drunk. The medicine also takes away memory of the event. When they wheeled her off she was so relaxed it didn’t phase her.

3. I wish they had a “happy juice” for moms.

4. The time that the procedure takes seems like eternity. Bring mindless magazines to thumb through and busy your mind any way you can. Seeing the surgeon come into the waiting room with a good look on his face and hearing the words “everything went great” washed this intense wave of relief over me.

5. Watching her come out of the anesthesia was not fun. Thank GOD my readers commented to prepare me that kids can be inconsolable. She was upset and confused and pissed off! She had an IV in her hand and a heart rate monitor on her other hand and those two things set her off. She was fixated on taking them off and was screaming.

My husband and I had to restrain her to keep her from trying to pull them out. But she got so wild she tried to pull out the IV with her teeth. It was awful!

This part lasted about 20 – 25 minutes but it seemed like forever. One of my friends who has been through this said her child was like a “wild animal” – which is a very appropriate description! Once she was settled down, she was fine. The nurse said this part usual takes about 30 minutes and on a scale of 1 – 10, Morgan was about a 4 and did pretty well. So, just be warned that this is NORMAL and to be expected. I also can’t imagine what a “10″ would be like…

6.The iPad was a lifesaver. Definitely bring an iPad with shows/movies or a DVD player with you. Once she calmed down, I put on a show on the iPad and they gave her a popsicle and she was much happier. The distraction was just what she needed.

7. I forgot to pack her socks and I wish I would have brought them.

8. I was scared about her being nauseous or throwing up from the anesthesia, but the nurse said that they give an anti-nausea medication via IV when they administer the anesthesia so she was totally fine and we had no issues.

9. If you can, line up childcare for your other children and get help for the rest of the day. My neighbor was nice enough to take Emma home from school for the afternoon so when Morgan went to sleep, I did too. I felt like I got run over by a train and was completely exhausted.

My mom then came down later and brought us dinner and was there to help until my husband got home. All Morgan wanted to do was sit on my lap on the couch, so it was so helpful to have my mom to help with Emma so I could sit with Morgan.

10. By the next day you wouldn’t have even KNOWN she had surgery. She was running around like nothing happened. Kids are pretty amazing at how resilient they are, she was completely oblivious and it was such a RELIEF.

I SO hope that no one reading this has to go through surgery with a little one, but if you do, please feel free to contact me if you need support.  The advice, love and good thoughts from my readers, family and friends meant the world to me. It’s times like this that make you feel so blessed to have the love and support by friends in your life.

XOXO
Jen

Here is my Umbilical Cyst-less Easter Bunny one week later!

My two-year-old, Morgan is having surgery on Monday to remove a growth on her belly button which is what they think is some sort of umbilical cyst.

It has gotten bigger as she has, and after visiting with a pediatric surgeon, we learned there is risk of it getting infected, so it has to be removed.

I am sure when she is bikini shopping 15 years from now she will be thanking us for getting it taken care of before she can remember. But as a mom, the thought of her having surgery is rough.

I was hoping it would be a quick procedure with a local anesthetic, but at her age, she has to be put under for the surgery and the thought of it scares me.

Then I think about parents that have to endure multiple surgeries with their kids for far worse circumstances, and I realize I am incredibly lucky this is so minor in comparison.

But it doesn’t make me feel less nervous.

As I was carrying her across the parking lot for the consult, she had her arms wrapped tightly around my neck and she gave me a big squeeze and said, “Love you mama!” Every time she says that my heart nearly explodes.

At that moment, I was overwhelmed with this feeling of being one with her.

No one can prepare you for the depth of emotion you feel for your your kids. She is a part of me and whatever happens to her, is happening to me.

Times 100.

Please keep positive thoughts for us on Monday that all goes well.  And if anyone has advice on going through a surgery with a toddler, would love your insight, advice and tips.

One of my friends recommended putting her in a diaper for the procedure even though she is potty trained. Her daughter woke up from the anesthesia and peed – would have never thought of that one.

Someone else told me that they will likely give her some “happy juice” before she goes in so that she is loopy and not crying and hysterical.  My biggest fear is the thought of her looking at me and crying as they wheel her away. So I hope that the happy juice is real.

Here  is a photo of it, as I am sure you are probably curious what an umbilical cyst is!

When she was a baby I just thought her belly button was going to be an “outie,” but it was an outie that kept growing and growing.

Wish us luck – thanks in advance for your thoughts and support.

Have a great weekend everyone!

My sister, a fellow mommy of a toddler in the trenches, forwarded an article on HuffPost Parents a couple months ago with two words: GOOD READ. In CAPS. She never forwards me articles so I was intrigued.

The article obviously struck a chord with mamas all over, as it has been shared and shared again, so I am sure many of you have read it already, and if you have, it is worth reading again.

But for those who haven’t, I wanted to write about this article today because her words have stayed with me.  And because the article stirred up so many emotions in me, I also felt compelled to share my thoughts on “Don’t Carpe Diem.”

At first I was intrigued by the title. I am sort of a “Carpe Diem~glass half full~positive” kind of gal, so I couldn’t see myself totally agreeing with whatever was going to come next.

But after I read it, through a mixture of emotions including laughter and tears, I immediately wanted to share with moms everywhere so I posted it to Facebook, where one of my friends so aptly commented, “AAAAAAAMMMMMMEN!”

Which is exactly how I felt.

One of my biggest challenges as a mother has been dealing with guilt. Now days, not only is there the pressure to be enjoying every moment, but we also have the pressure of  ”being present.”

I know we have all heard we should ditch the dishes for the moment, forget the laundry, turn off the devices, and get down on the living room floor to play with our kids because, as we have been told over and over again, “IT GOES SO FAST.  ENJOY EVERY MOMENT.”

But to those people I have often wanted to scream, then WHO is going to do my dishes and fold the laundry?? Many days I feel so much pressure I feel torn. When I am doing the dishes, I feel guilty I am not playing with my kids, and when I am playing with my kids, I often feel guilty that I should be doing the dishes. Sometimes I feel like I just can’t win! 

When I read her article, I didn’t feel alone. And I feel like us moms need to give ourselves one monumental break! 

Like my cousin once said to me about parenting little ones, “The years go by fast, but the days are long.”

This week, I registered my youngest daughter for three mornings of preschool starting in September. Some have said, “Are you sentimental that your youngest is growing up and will be going to preschool?”

But, if I am being honest, after putting in 6 years of juggling the stay-at-home and also work-from-home gig, inside I feel ECSTATIC that she will start preschool in the fall and I am not feeling misty or sentimental in the least.  I feel READY.

Yes, she is growing up, but I am ready to graduate to the next phase. I have had to work on accepting the fact that feeling this way is OK without the guilt.  

I can’t end this post without talking about the author’s views on time. Please read it all the way through, because her words on time are such a great reminder at the end.

The Chronos time is REAL time. The “I am most certainly not enjoying this moment/phase/long afternoon of parenting time.” And can be hard, and exhausting. There is no way around it. A lot of days I am just doing the best I can, and if I make it through the day without completely losing it, that is a success.

The Kairos moments are “I AM ENJOYING THIS MOMENT” time.

If it weren’t for those, I honestly don’t know how parents could make it through.  Many days it’s like running a marathon, and the Kairos moments are the ones when you spot a friend or family member cheering you on from the sidelines, the Kairos moments of unparalleled joy and overwhelming love are what give me that burst of energy to push on.

The cute sayings, the small victories, the snuggles, the laughs, those magic moments that make you want to SCREAM “it is all SOOOOOOOOO worth it! Being a mom is the best thing in the entire universe.” I thank God for those moments, and in those moments, I can look parenting in the eye and say, I AM ENJOYING THIS TO THE FULLEST.

Thing is, it’s just not EVERY moment.

So, if you couldn’t tell, I loved this article. It was honest and raw and forgiving and real and I too wanted to jump through my screen and give Glennon a huge high five and say, “AMEN SISTER!”

You gotta read it. Click here if you haven’t already.

And I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

XOXO

I haven’t done a Wordless Wednesday post in awhile and I couldn’t resist sharing this one of my girls walking out to see if Santa arrived on Christmas morning.

I love that they are both holding their lovies and blankie.

I love that they are holding hands.

I love that my five-year-old does not get out of bed without a matching hair accessory.

I love matching Christmas jammies.

And most of all, I just love the look of joy and anticipation on their little faces.

Want to see more more Wordless Wednesday pictures? Head on over to www.AngryJulieMonday.com!