What is the universe trying to tell me?

I've been dealing with uterus issues for at least 5+ years now.  I haven't shared this yet, because in April I had surgery that was supposed to fix the problem. This was actually what really got me thinking about my physical and mental health, I saw the end of my "women" problems as the beginning of a new healthier me! Unfortunately the procedure in April did not fix the problem and I am really wondering why I keep having issues with my health care providers?? 

Over 5 years ago I went to my Dr. complaining of heavy, painful and long periods - I won't give the gory details, but it was hard to function in public during my periods. The ultrasound from that appointment showed a Fibroid. So I waited to see the first Gynaecologist. Her assessment was that the Fibroid was not large enough to be causing the problems. Her recommendation has hormone therapy or a hysterectomy. The appointment was quick, I remember being out in the hall still asking her questions. I did not feel good about her assessment or recommendations, so I went back to my family Dr who referred me to another Dr - the best in the city, which meant a 2 year waiting list.

The new Gyno was great, very thorough. She sent me for extensive blood work and another ultrasound. The results of these tests showed that the cysts on my ovaries had changed in size (was not told about the cysts on the first ultrasound) and  that I had polyps (also not told about that), which were most likely causing the issues. Polyps could mean cancer so she did a biopsy, which came back negative (YAY). She also explained that the Fibroid was in the muscle of the uterus and was not the issue at all. 

Dr. # 2's recommendation was a polyp resection and ablation to reduce the chance of the polyps returning. Finally a solution was given that was minimally evasive with a short recovery time and no long term drug dependancy. So the surgery was booked in December 2011. I was so nervous going into it, I remember laying in the hallway waiting to go into surgery - it was all I could do to keep from crying. I was so relieved when I woke up and could not remember a thing - it felt like a good sleep. Then I found out that during the procedure they had perforated my uterus. Lucky I recovered without any further complications.

My surgery was then rescheduled for April. I had to get the pre-op nurse add the resection to the paper work, the Dr had just put ablation on it. This time I knew what to expect and was looking forward to finally getting everything fixed... and the great sleep! Recovery was a bit harder this time, I was pretty sick from the anaesthesia. No visit from the Dr after I woke up in the recovery room, so we assumed all went well. I was supposed to go in 6 weeks to visit the Gyno for a follow-up, which ended up happening at 11 weeks. During that wait to get in I actually had 2 periods - both were just as bad as before the procedure. 

The downside to having the best specialist in the city is that they are very busy. My follow-up appointment was booked for 3pm, I did not get into the exam room until 6pm. I was her last patient of the day and the appointment felt rushed. I did not get a break down of how the procedure went, she wasn't going to do an internal exam - until I asked if one was needed, and the issues I was having with my periods she assessed to be post-op effects and would re-assess in 6 months. I also had another issue that required a pap, so she gave me a lab request. 

So I made an appointment with my family Dr for the pap - rather than a lab and I was able to discuss my concerns. My family Dr. sent me for another ultrasound. Today I got the results - POLYPS! I'm not sure if they are the same ones, or if new ones have grown back already. My guess would be that since the problem has been there since the procedure that the Gyno failed to remove them during the procedure. I am experiencing quite the range of emotions right now - mad, sad, frustrated, confused... this will be issue 2 with the "best" Gyno in the city. My trust in her is now gone. To get another Gyno will definitely be a wait. None of this makes sense and I feel like there is no outlet to deal with these issues.

Now, I wait. Wait to hear back from my family Dr on her recommendations for the next step.   I believe that everything happens for a reason. I can look back on major events in my life and see how they now make sense, how they have helped guide my life path in some way. I am looking forward to figuring this one out. The universe is trying to tell me something, just not sure what ... yet.

You'll never regret pushing yourself to exercise!

My new Nike "kicks"

I was not feeling great the last couple of days. Since we got back on Wednesday I haven't been sleeping well, so I've been tired and GRUMPY! So this morning when I woke up for the 5k Run/Matwork class at Create Balance I did not want to go. As I sat and drank my coffee, I debated going back to bed. I got a new pair of Nike's while in Nashville which I was looking forward to trying out and Collette (our instructor) was expecting me. So I dragged my butt out the door and off to the studio and I am sooooo glad that I did. It felt so good to get out there and sweat. 

Now, I am thinking that part of my problem the last couple of days was that my body needed a workout. While we were away we walked over 3k per day, but no Pilate's (even though I brought a flex band and workout clothes). Part of the reason I'm not sleeping well is that my body is achey, which means it needs to be stretched and worked! It is really cool how your body gets addicted to Pilate's.

There's no better motivation to workout than when you feel better after the workout!

Back from Nashville, Tennessee

We just spent 5 days in Nashville, 3 days were meetings and 2 days were for fun. Thanks to  the Air Canada ticket agent in London, I managed to get my work out in at Pearson Airport. Our flight was at 6:10am Saturday morning out of London, ON. If you've flown out of London you know arriving a half hour in advance is plenty of time to get through security and to the plane. We arrived at least 45 mins early. There was one person at check-in counter waiting, but no agent. We had to ask a security guard to check if there was anyone working. I'll spare the details - but we ended up being put on the 7am plane, giving us 1 hr to make our connection in Toronto. 1 hour to get our bag and head through customs. We had 2 minutes to make it to the plane, so we had to RUN to the gate - only to find that we had run to the wrong gate. So we turned around and RAN to the right gate in the opposite direction. We make it to the gate huffing and puffing to find no attendant and the plane pulling up the stairs and pulling away. Luckily the rest of the day was smooth, and we made it to Nashville 8 hours later than planned, our suitcase arrived 7 hours later. 

My plan while I was away was to continue making healthy choices and use the exercise facilities at the hotel every day. It was almost impossible to eat healthy. Everything was fried, salads had iceberg lettuce and fattening creamy dressings and the fish dishes were smothered in cajun spices (I don't do well with heat). So my nutrition plans were challenging, but everyday we walked at least 5k. Everything in Nashville is in walking distance - except the outlet mall, which is the size of 2 football fields. So even though we cabbed to the mall we still got in a good walk.

Despite the nutrition challenges, it was a great get-a-way. Nashville is definitely a party town. All day long, every restaurant and bar has live music. It was also nice to have a change of scenery with Troy. Just like all other professional parents out there, we get bogged down by our everyday responsibilities and fall into routines, we forget about quality time together. With all the challenges we faced on Saturday, we laughed and made jokes. I enjoyed some quality time with my hubby! It was a very good reminder of the need to have fun together!!

Out of the mouth of babes!

My sweet Isabel has always been one who speaks her mind. If she thinks it, she says it! This is a good thing...sometimes. I was curious this week and decided to jump on the scale to see if the scale agreed with the 3 other people who had commented on my weight loss and...drum roll please...it did! I've loosed 5lbs. Just as I'm about to step off my sweet Isabel comes around the corner and says - "wow, you weigh that much!?" 
Still on track and seeing progress - despite what Isabel thinks. ;)

Another Monday started the right way!

I spent my weekend cleaning out the clutter in our home office. I really want to redecorate, but it needed a purging before that can happen. I'm up to 1.5 bags of shredded paper and made 2 trips to Goodwill! It feels good to get rid of junk!

Hey - got a bit of a theme going here! I have also organized our Refrigerator and pantry and back on track with eating better and cutting out the junk. The Food Journal is open on my computer and I am back to tracking what I eat. It is Monday and I have followed through on my Monday plan!! It feels good to break my old cycle. I totally would have given up by now if I did not have support, encouragement and accountability. The best was when Troy told me on the weekend that "all my hard work was really showing". Just what I needed to hear. Last week I did not feel like I was progressing and his comment gave me the boost I needed.

Thanks to all who have been encouraging me on Facebook and in person!! 

Falling off the wagon...

I've gotten a bit off track this week. I stopped keeping a food journal during my holidays last week. I figured that my diet was set, and that there was no need to keep track of everything - WRONG! Without tracking my organization has also gone out the window. I haven't been planning my meals, which means I'm not eating well and going for more convenience processed foods AND there's no record. Nothing to hold me accountable! ... Except this blog and knowing that measurements will be taken - people are going to find out! 

Food journals are weight loss 101. Dr. Oz tells us to use them, every nutritionist will recommend it...but why? A study in the US followed 1800 men & women over 6 months and found that those who kept a food journal lost 50% more weight than those who did not. Just like writing this blog, the food journal holds you accountable, helps you self manage and assess what, when and why you are eating. You think twice before you eat, when you have to write it down.

Why is loosing weight so hard, when gaining it was soooo easy??

Why can't Women's sizes be standard like Men's???

Felling very frustrated after an unsuccessful shopping trip with Kayla on the weekend. My Gap skinny jeans are starting to wear out in undesirable places, so we went shopping for jeans on the weekend. Although I was feeling good about my measurements 2 weeks ago I was realistic and grabbed my current size - hoping I would need to go down a size. Not the case at all! I could not fit into the size 14! All the jeans I have already that fit...and even have some space in them are 14's. 

I do not understand why they cannot standardize women's sizes. My hubby Troy has been a 32/34 since the day I met him (that's a rant for another time - lucky bugger!). He can go into any store and grab a pair of pants without even trying them on and know they will fit. Boys are so lucky that way!!

So now I am in an awkward phase of my weight loss. All of my pants are loose in the tooshie  and thighs. Knowing that I plan to loose more weight, it seems wasteful to buy anything right now to get a better fit. Very frustrating.

I need a little perspective - I could have more serious problems than droopy drawers! 

Keeping my goals in mind and not giving up yet! 

Lov'n this summer weather!

I've been off all week and this my first time on the computer.The weather has been great! I went for a jog on Tuesday, just before dinner. I should have waited until later - the sun was unbearable at times, but I did it! I went just over 3km in just over a half hour. It was my first run on my own and I have to admit - I did not enjoy it too much., a lot of cursing and swearing as I was running. Once i was done I was so glad that I did. I haven't done much Pilate's this week, but we walked almost everyday. On our first walk Monday night we took our usual route that starts with a slight hill. Usually I am out of breath by the top. This week I climbed with ease, talked the whole way up and was ready for more!!  It felt so good and is giving me the drive to keep it up.
I am starting to feel like I am on my way, getting my groove. I've been focused for 9 weeks now and  this healthier lifestyle is just starting to feel natural, like it is part of my life. I have to admit though, I am considering trying one of those weight loss programs that promise to melt off weight and inches in weeks. It is so tempting. Maybe In September if I am not seeing a reduction in my waistline by then.