For me, the beginning of the book seems chalk full of nothing more than common sense. However, after giving it a chance, I found myself really relating to the other women, mothers like yours truly. In my opinion, one of the best things about this book was this overall feeling of unity. Though I have never met a single mom in here, I knew they had dealt with and conquered one of the biggest issues we moms face. Guilt. Guilt will suck the "real" women, you are, right out of you.
Toward the middle of the book, I was feeling rather bored. I was actually forcing myself to read. It was jam packed with websites to check out, which would be great IF I had the dough to spend on any of these fancy little sites. I do have to hand it to her though, she included a "Baby on a Budget" section for almost every topic she covered. However, toward the end of all the suggestions, I felt less connected to the women in the book. A complete turn around from the feeling, of unity, I had in the beginning.
I could not bring myself to finish this book. I made it through 3/4's of the way. I'm sure my lack of interest in these types of books had a lot to do with. So was it worth the read? For me, YES & NO. Let me explain. Yes, due to the advice: "let go of the guilt". That made me snap out of the rut I'd put myself in. I also gained a few helpful (& cheap) skin/beauty care tips. No, due to my feeling this book was geared toward a much "richer" audience than I.
What I did love......
The "in your face" way Jessica, plain & simply, said "Hot Mom loves herself and her family but doesn't get consumed by the madness of motherhood."
We've all been there, right? I have. I've been in the "madness" for 3 years. I still had a sense of self when RD was born but was "consumed" during my pregnancy with Gala and I've never gotten it back.
This little insight: "Carl Jung believed our lives need meaning and purpose. He felt that if we don't have meaning and purpose, we acquire bad habits in order to create drama and excitement. Jung called these patterns "low-level spiritual quests."
Oh boy! What a smack in the face?! I can see that in myself, as well as, those around me. This was, for me, just another reminder I need to get to the business of finding my purpose.
And a quote: "Ultimately, children learn by example. They do what they see." -Lauren Holly
Two little sentences. So simple, right? I've heard this before, but why did these words strike me now? Easy. All the sudden, as if it hit me upside the head, I realized the less I take care of me, value me, the less the girls will value themselves. And I will not be the reason they feel less than worthy or beautiful.....
Remember my middle daughter's scare about a week and a half ago? Sadly, it hasn't gotten better. It has shown itself 4 more times & each time it seems more painful for her. By more painful, I mean she actually has taken notice that it's out. She doesn't want to be taken off the toilet, be wiped, or go on about her play once off the toilet. Deep sigh.....
I'm convinced after talking with the doctor & doing some of my own research that she ended up in this mess due to chronic diarrhea. But the real question is, why does she have chronic diarrhea? All this has made me really want to change our eating habits. Not just to have a healthier eating lifestyle. I know how to do that. I want to know what is in our food, where it came from, how it benefits us or damages us, etc. I have been doing a lot of reading the last week on our food supplies here in the USA. I am honestly horrified at some of the info that is out there. I know I shouldn't be. There is always going to be "something" in our food IF it is man made. I guess I am just astonished at what seems to be deemed "OK" for the masses to consume.
Over the last few years, more people just got the news about a brother, sister, mother, father, son, daughter, & the list goes on, having cancer. So many of my close friends or their wives are having problems conceiving. Sadly, it seems, there are more and more of these type of "issues" occuring. After reading what I have, I am no longer left wondering why they seem so prevalent. We are what we eat & if you don't want to know some truths, don't go searching & DO NOT read below....you have been warned....
Here's how I got started. I was bored, 2 girls sleeping & one needing a rest, I decided to watch a movie called "Food Matters" & that lead me to research the people & products they discussed on the show. I then decided to "friend request" someone, that I was told about a few weeks back, on Facebook. That lead me to a very shocking & unpleasant article. An article that left me feeling less than awesome about the formula choice I made for my two younger girls.
Of course, I'm discussing this info with my hubby which has lead to further talks & interest into our health. Tuesday he decided to accompany me to the grocery store. As we are standing in line, a very long line, what of all things does he happen to notice? One of our favorite magazine's front page, shouting loudly....."Top 10 Food Shockers"....yes, we bought it. I just started reading the article this morning & HAVE to share a piece with you.....
The following information (in quotes) is taken from ConsumerReports ShopSmart;) June 2011 issue. Please purchase the magazine to help support their research & find out the rest of the shockers!!
"Part of the complexity involves the creation of food ingredients. Take veggie burgers and protein bars. They sound like healthful additions to your diet. But most soy protein is processed using hexane, a chemical that the Environmental Protection Agency considers a pollutant and that affects the central nervous system.
And if you think popcorn is harmless, you should know that the greaseproof paper used in microwave popcorn bags (as well as fast-food wrappers) might leach toxins into your healthy snack. Last fall, a study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health concluded that polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters used in that paper can migrate into food and then break down in the body to form perfluorinated carboxylic acids, chemicals associated with cancer and reproductive problems in animals."
I dunno about you, but this info scares the hell out of me. I fix our family at least 10 bags of popcorn a week. We visit our local fast food places at least 2 times a month. I was in the habit of having a soy "veggie" sausage patty & sometimes a soy "veggie" burger at lunch, daily. And the above passge is NOT the first "bash" against soy that I've read. Here I thought I was eating healthy & doing myself this great service. Boy, was I wrong!! I'm finding so much conflicting info, every critic has their view, but I like that I am trying to educate myself instead of assuming everything they "allow" us to it is safe.
So, have I stopped cold turkey due to my recent findings? NO. I think changing our eating habits is going to be a long tough road. But we will be changing it......
CAUTION: this post is about bodily parts, pooping & all the other lovely natural things that go on with the body. Just know you've been warned.
If you've been a follower of the blog for awhile or if you've checked out the other pages on my blog, you'll know that I have Pelvic Organ Prolapse. You'll know that I worry for my girls' future. Not how it will turn out, well of course I worry about that too, but I worry about them developing what I have. Yesterday was the most sickening day I've had. My middle child's rectum prolapsed! That is NOT the same thing as POP, but very similar. Instead of her female organs, it was her rectum. I knew what it was right away because I've researched "prolapses" so much. My heart sunk so low......
My oldest, RD, was taking my middle, Gala, to the bathroom. Something they have been trying out the last few weeks. Buddies in the bathroom...what can I say, they're girls. They were in there just a few minutes when RD comes out to ask me to wipe Gala. She had a BM & RD will not wipe her if she's had one. Can't say I blame her. I don't like the task myself. At first glance, I thought she had extra poo hanging from her bum but when I went to "knock" it off, I knew what it was. I was shocked. I kept thinking...No, really? Really? REALLY??
After that, I just knew I had to get a picture. What if it goes away before anyone gets here? No one would believe what I was seeing if they didn't have proof & I didn't wanna sound like a nut & tell everyone I knew without a doubt is was a prolapsed rectum. Oh, there goes Karla again with her self diagnosis....With lots of panic in my voice I asked RD to grab me my camera & the phone. RD had 100 questions. You know how it is with little kids. What's going on? Why do you want the camera? What's wrong with Gala? Why is there an emergency? Talk about heightened stress trying to answer these questions! However, when it comes to my girls, I always answer as honestly as I can.
On one hand, I didn't know if I should move Gala & on the other, I knew the gravity of just sitting on a toilet was NOT good either. WHAT TO DO??!! RD couldn't find the camera so as calmly as I could I explained where it was. Then she couldn't reach it. Again, calmly but a little more rattled I asked her if she could find a stool or chair. Finally here she comes with both in hand & tells me, matter of factly, that we should call Daddy. Daddy is the hero of the house. If there is a crisis, she needs him called. Not in a few minutes, NOW....but she's always so, IDK, calm about it....God bless her!
I snapped two quick pictures & then called my hubby. Voice mail. Redial. Voice mail. More stress. Redial. Voice mail. Scream. Phone my Mom....tell her, while fighting back tears, Gala just took a BM & her rectum is turned inside out. My Mom says....well, I'm sure she's just getting hemorrhoids. HEMORRHOIDS?!? No, you don't understand. Her rectum is turned inside out, it prolapsed, IDK how to explain this to you! Moms. Aren't they the best thing ever? She says so calmly, well phone the doctor & if you need us we'll come right over. OK then, COME NOW!
I tried my hubby once more & got voice mail yet again. I phone the clinic, ask for the nurse only to be told they are gone for the day. Is anyone there I can talk to?? Silence...then a, what do you need? I explain again this time adding.... & it is NOT hemorrhoids. She puts me through to the relay service. They take my message & tell me the doctor will get to us ASAP....I wonder if the dispatcher heard the urgency in my voice?!?! Maybe we should just head to the freaking ER! Are my parents here yet? & why the hell hasn't my husband called back??!!
Right then the phone rings & it's him. Did you call? YES, I called! but that didn't come out. Nothing came out. Once I heard his voice, I broke down, I could not speak & finally I said what I could through sobs & you know what? He actually said, Do you need me to come home? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! YES, I need you to come home! I needed you here 15 minutes ago!!
I decide to get her off the toilet & lay her down on the living room floor. I cleaned her up with a wet wipe the best I could then ran around looking for my clothes, my purse, something comfy for her to slip on & the phone rings. It's the clinic. Hello?
Yes, we have the doctor on the line..
OK, Hello? Nothing but silence..Hello?
Yes, can you hear me?
Barely...
OK, this is Dr. Blah Blah what's the matter?
Well, this is Karla, Gala's Mom...& then I start explaining & I get interrupted
I'm sorry what? who is the Dr?
WHAT?? Is this Dr. Blah Blah?
Yes
YOU, YOU are my Dr!!!!
Oh, I'm sorry, the patient?
Gala! This is Karla, Gala's Mom....
Oh, yes, I'm sorry...Gala...go ahead
so I start over....to end with..... & her rectum is hanging out of her.... Silence
HELLO??!! DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID?!
oh, yes, sorry, I can barely hear you. I am almost at the clinic...can I call you back?
FINE, just call me! I need to know what to do!
Can you say frazzled, scared, sick, s t r e s s ssssssssssssssss
Thank God, that right then my hubby came through the door. His face dropped as soon as he seen Gala & he now knew I was not f**king around.......He could not get his hands cleaned or his greasy uniform changed fast enough. Relief, someone seen it. I was not a loon. I was starting to be believed....
The phone rings & it's the doctor. She asks me to explain it again because she heard nothing. I tell her.
Well, we can push it back in.
You mean like right now?!
Yes, or you can come in...
Yes, that is what we are doing. I am not doing this. I don't wanna damage her!
How soon can you be here?
15, 20 minutes tops..
OK, I'll add you to the schedule.
In comes my parents & my Mom immediately got down on the floor with Gala & started stroking her head. She knew I wasn't "just being a Mom"...this was for real! I slip some panties & a comfy tee on Gala & we are out the door. One question we both have. Do we just sit her in her seat? What other option do we have....
When we get to the clinic, we stop to check in. It never fails if I get this one receptionist, she always needs to see INS info....I am not in the mood, lady!! She is always so nice I couldn't be upset with her. She has a job to do after all & maybe she is doing it exactly the way she's supposed to....what do I know?
In comes the Dr & I ask right away. Is it a prolapsed rectum? She says, politely, that's what it sounds like from what you describe but I won't know till I examine her. I also need your consent.
For what?
To push it back in. Anything could go wrong when doing this so we need your consent.
Hubby jumps in....Like what? What can go wrong?
Well, it can come out.
It's already out!
Yes, but it can come out.
Like what? I mean, it's already out. Like more? Farther? What??
See, now he's panicked. It's not just a Mom thing. Ultimately, we decide to push it back, but guess what? It went back in on it's own. Relief. Right then, I knew I had to show the Dr the pics. Yes, I packed the camera!! Very nice pics she said & yes, it was prolapsed. A stage 2. :( not good news.
So now what? Well, if it keeps reoccurring, surgery. Reoccurring means like 8-10 times. I'm all choked up again. You know, this is not life threatening. It's not say like a cancer scare. I know that. What I do know however are all the risks involved with a surgery like this & I have opted to NOT have it for myself. How in the world can I subject my tiny & precious little 2 year old girl to it? The bad thing is, it came out again last night during another BM.....my heart is breaking....
Please, please, pray for healing for her. Pray for no more recurrences. Pray for strength & courage & for answers to find us, if we are faced with this decision in the future......
Today is Day 8 of my song challenge. It really isn't even a challenge any more. It's just more a daily song post... I almost just said the heck with today's song post but I decided I could post one. This song doesn't have a dang thing to do with the above situation & it doesn't really relate to anything in my past or present. Strike that, guess it does.....because, I just love this song. I love his voice, the words, it's just beautiful, & I do, I believe....so enjoy...
Well it really saddens me that not one single person responded yesterday. I didn't figure anyone would comment, but at least a thumb up/down would have told me if your interest was there. Giving a thumb up/down doesn't reveal your identity, which I'm assuming most don't want to display on such a taboo topic. No one wants to be associated with this. I had to laugh at the audience member that became Dr Oz's assistant in the video. She was VERY quick to claim....I DON'T HAVE THIS! I'm assuming most didn't watch the videos, but you know what they say when you assume.....
Well, anyway, I guess I'll make this my last post on the subject as I can only assume, there's that word again, that no one is interested. However, I'll pretend that it was just the mere fact I posted on the weekend.
I have found this subject very interesting. Maybe it's because I was diagnosed with Pelvic Organ Prolapse in 2009. Actually, I'm sure that's it. Otherwise, I would still be in the dark altogether. I do find that some days, ignorance is bliss, but most days I am glad to know. I also am going to do my best to educate the loved ones around me. Even if I find the topic uncomfortable. I mean, hello, I have 3 girls. 3 beautiful girls that have a right to know that this is a very real health issue. 3 beautiful girls that have a right to know this is not an epidemic of little old ladies or aging. 3 beautiful girls that should know they have other options besides surgery. No one but me is going to tell them this, or you for that matter. If you think your Doctor will, you are wrong. I can tell you some of your options, books, & places to educate yourself. Isn't there anyone interested? Oh wait, I assume you don't think it could happen to you......know I'll be here when it does because this hits 50% of women over 50 & what they don't tell you....many women under 50, young women, like myself, have it as well.......
THINKING THIS MAY NEED A MAN WARNING! YES, you men would benifit, just not sure you wanna hear it.....
I am going to take time out to do something bold & a little scary for me. I'm hoping, if this topic goes over well, I can do a small series of posts on it. Comment, give me a thumbs up/down, or post a comment on the Facebook page so I know I have some interested listeners. :)
Curious how many of you are Dr. Oz fans? I personally am not, but my sis is. I have watched his show a hand full of times but I don't worry over missing it. My sis called me the other day to let me know a topic of my interest was on. Pelvic Prolapse/Pelvic Organ Prolapse/POP, all the same thing, just different ways of saying it, is rarely talked about among us women.How many of you have heard of it?
I've heard it referred to as the "silent epidemic" numerous times but they tend to use that line for lots of things, right? At any rate, I am hoping to help break the silence. My original goal was to actually post Dr. Oz's videos here for you but after working on that long & hard, I had little success. I finally just settled w/posting the links. :(
I'd like to invite you to watch these short segments (each one roughly 5 minutes) & take from it what you will. Write down any questions or thoughts on the topic & then check back in for some discussion with me. The Truth About Pelvic Prolapse, Pt. 1
