Ive become more comfortable and open with the illnesses I have. I am finally at the point in my life with my health that I know its a part of me, a part of who I am, its something that unfortunately I am going to be living with everyday for the rest of my life. There will be good days, there will be bad days, I just need to take it day, by day!
Do you know what PCOS is? I’ll tell you…
Just click here to read about Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome PCOS
So many women have this illness. It is nothing to be ashamed of. It is not our fault. PCOS needs to be known, needs to be talked about.
Here are a few of the symptoms of PCOS (from their website)
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The symptoms of PCOS can vary from woman to woman. Some of the symptoms of PCOS include:
- Infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating. In fact, PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility.
- Infrequent, absent, and/or irregular menstrual periods
- Hirsutism (HER-suh-tiz-um) — increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes
- Cysts on the ovaries
- Acne, oily skin, or dandruff
- Weight gain or obesity, usually with extra weight around the waist
- Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
- Patches of skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs that are thick and dark brown or black
- Skin tags — excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
- Pelvic pain
- Anxiety or depression
- Sleep apnea — when breathing stops for short periods of time while asleep
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My Story…
The bare bones gist of it. I suffered, no suffer, from not all, but many symptoms on the list above.
Married in September 2004. Began gaining weight, crazy cycles etc after going off the birth control pill. Mid July diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and PCOS. Underwent months of tests, ultrasounds, blood work, medication, more tests, ultrasounds, bloodwork… 16 months later get the news we were pregnant.
Thrilled with our new son, I was somewhat ignorant when it came to my health and hoped my illness (which at the time I didnt see as an “illness”) would just ‘go away’.
Little man was 6mths old, tests began again for cycle issues, monthly and at 9.5 months old… “You’re pregnant!” Yikes… my body was very messed up, however it did something right that month after literally months without a cycle or any normalcy.
I had very mixed emotions. I had a 10 month old and was pregnant with our 2nd – we only planned on 2 children so realistically this was scary, yet so very amazing.
Baby girl was born and our family was complete.
You would think I would have by then learned this is life long and I need to educate myself and reach out. Nope.
I was just as ashamed and hurt as I was the day my family doctor told me I needed to see a Reproductive Encronologist for Infertility… I was 23 years old… I had to see who for what!?!?
Life was crazy. After little man was born hubby began working at the family business, awesome as he was self employed with me doing his office accounting duties. I was very much in favour of living a more simplified life, especially since I would be returning to work! Working with two littles was a challenge, but I love(d) my job and knew that as much as I wanted to be a mom, I also wanted to work. It was a challenge finding a balance and quite honestly I dont think I truly did until a few years ago.
I knew the ultimate choice was surgery. With two young kids this was difficult and so I again put my health on hold. Finally October 2011 I called my Gynecologist’s office to make an appointment. Brought on of course by crazy pelvis pain! I was lucky and by the end of November 2011 I was at the hospital and had the surgery. This truly was the best decision ever for my health and my family.
Unfortunately the pain has not been completely gone, nor does just with a hysterectomy take away PCOS. Although I am still having pain I would be a lot worse off had I not had the surgery.
As the pain was getting worse, off to the doctor again, already knowing what was wrong and ultimately how to “fix” it, more tests began. Confirmed my guesses and also how to deal. . . Low stress, eating right, pain management, exercise, low stress… and ultimately and most likely another surgery.
PCOS affects women in so many ways, mentally, emotionally and physically. Physical pain with young kids, a dog, household duties and a job is difficult.
Earlier this year I pulled the plug on my photography business. I took it back… for me. Photography was and is my passion. I couldn’t allow any stress to ruin what I began doing with so much love, excitement, passion. My outlet for my love of the arts. I have had so much fun capturing our life, our moments and the beauty around me since I made this decision. I have fell in love with photography all over again.
For someone who must stay low stress, being organized is HUGE! Both at work and at home. I’m continuing to simplify our life, decluttering our home, organizing, purging, and it feels so good. This is my life, and I will make the best of it :)
Here’s a good read – 30 Interesting Facts About PCOS
