When You Take Care Of Others

Ive heard it, Ive even said it myself.

Caregivers typically are the ones who end up needing taken care of…

Interesting when you are IN it though and you think you are doing all the things but in reality you are spreading yourself so damn thin you are merely skimming the surface.

This summer I noticed the pelvic pain coming back again. Pain I honestly haven’t had in MANY years. Truth be told, caring for my husband and son – both of whom had multiple surgeries, thank god not at the same time, but consecutively right after the other. This wife and mama was not only navigating a time when the government decided to play yo-yo with us, our physical and emotional health and our lives. In school, our of school, the fear mongering, the separation, it was hell. Honestly hell. From someone who thrives with connection, thrives with traditions and being around loved ones. I know this is when my physical health in 2020 took the first hit.

From Oct 2020 until early 2024 Pam was in caregiver mode. Prior to that, our life was like a yo-yo in and out of fight/flight based on what the government was forcing on people. Kids out and in to school then out again. Thinking of what they all needed, vs what I needed. It was too much to add in my own needs. I needed to get through the day ensuring my kids and husband were good.

Just as their healing was ending – with so much gratitude, I saw our senior dog going downhill. May was an interesting month of highs and lows and then November played out very similar just in human form.

Diamonds are created under pressure, yup I get it.

With the recent pelvic pain, I did the modern medicine thing, to ensure I didn’t have a massive cyst that may burst – yup the pain was/is real. I was concerned about being active due to the pain. Did the follow up with the gynecologist, already fully knowing and prepared for what I would be told. I already knew after two ultrasounds – which side note… whats happening in the medical system and time wasted – I was booked for an “emergency” U/S… of my pelvis, then had it re-booked so they could do an internal to see more – why wouldn’t that be common sense to do at the first appt, well for “emergency” appt’s they don’t book enough time. Ok. Rebooked a month and a half later. I call that morning to see if I need a full bladder when I am only coming for an internal ultrasound – the male tech who answered asked me what I meant by an internal ultrasound. Has the world changed that much that people cannot define what a woman is OR what an internal ultrasound would be for a woman – seriously? I then explained, well I am a woman and if the pelvic ultrasound didn’t show why Im having so much pain, my nurse practitioner wants me to have it internally, so inside me… because I am a woman. My lord. That appointment… booked from 1030-1230 was 8 minutes. Eight. From the time I went in, had the pelvic ultrasound, and then got undressed for the internal ultrasound (which the female tech called it that also). So why… why wouldn’t it have been done before – I digress.

I am back in my training mode, navigating what I knew years ago and what I did to shift my health in significant ways. What is frustrating, was being told by the Gynecologist that I had 3 options… 1. Birth control pill to “shut off my ovaries” (I had a hysterectomy in 2011 and many years ago being on the pill ruined my health when I went off of it – so its a HARD no for me!). 2. Carry around pain pills in my purse and take as necessary – this is exactly what I resorted to EVEN ON the pill for many years – truthfully about 15-34. 3. Do nothing and live with the pain. At no time did he ask about my lifestyle, what I eat, dietary habits for PCOS and Edometriosis. This is a very real “solution” its just not a quick one. Ive been through the – just give me a pill to “fix me”. Its not that simple. Big pharma is trained to get people hooked on drugs to be on for life. That’s not how I live anymore.

In 2014 I found holistic health options starting with doTERRA Essential oils & supplements. Truthfully during the past 5 years, I did great at taking care of everyone else… but me. I was merely skimming the surface and I can now see how much lower I would be if I hadn’t been able to.

So what am I back to doing… I will share soon but I am already feeling on the up and up, with more time it will get better!