Mirena scare.... Beware!

OK... My bad luck has shown it's face again sadly... I'm going to say it on HERE so I don't have to answer calls or texts and say it again and again.. After Bailey was born and I was exploring the frightening and vast options that were birth control, I landed on Mirena. Mirena is an IUD that is good for up to five years, you don't have to take something every day and in most cases most women lose their "special time of the month" for the majority of the time they have it. I was thinking... Umm.. YES PLEASE! I had this done after my follow up appointment.. everything went well, a tiny bit sore but that was normal.. I had that for the full FIVE years and it was AWESOME! I knew of a few people who did experience the rare effects like the IUD wandering or even becoming embedded somewhere causing a need for surgery for removal. I had my third daughter last December and by February it was time to make that choice or close up shop completely. I'm not saying that we WILL ever have another but to permanently close the doors on the option at our age just seemed too sudden and sure. Anyway, without any hesitation whatsoever, I went back to wanting Mirena again. I had it put in (NOT BY THE DOCTOR WHO DELIVERED ME OR THE ONE WHO HAD PUT MY LAST ONE IN) and even though it seemed a little more painful than the first time, when it was done, I was relieved. I went back to my follow up and everything seemed fine. I wasn't scheduled to go back until a year later which would be around March 2016. They tell you to check your strings regularly to be sure it is still in place and a lot of people don't take that advice.. To me.. If it's not in the right place, then it's not working! So, to continue with my mirena success round 2, I had done regular checks. 2 weeks ago today was the first time I could NOT feel them at ALL and that scared the shit out of me... You can't help but start researching, finding the worst of the worst and just assuming that's probably what's happening to you! I scheduled an appointment with the doctor and she told me it's probably just UP to high... Hmm... Ok... I went in and she couldn't find it either..  ended up having to make an appointment with the office and doctors who actually delivered my baby so they could accurately check me out. That appointment was yesterday. I told them that I hadn't felt it in almost two weeks and I would occasionally have pain in my lower abdomen area and even lower back and wondered if that was the cause. First the doctor "checked me out".. Nothing.. Turned to an internal ultrasound... Nothing.. To an abdominal ultrasound.. NOTHING! So while they were setting up their next move for me, they had to suggest that it could simply be GONE as in it "slipped out" at some point because they simply could not find it anywhere. Here's a little piece for you and I don't care if you don't want to know... When the five years on my first one was UP, I took out my own IUD MYSELF! And it was over the course of a couple days in hopes of not destroying anything but there's no freaking way that I could've NOT noticed that thing coming out! NO WAY! But the more they were telling me it probably wasn't in there, the more it made me feel like they thought I was making it up or lying or whatever. I never saw it come out... I never felt it come out... I was getting stomach pains... I had almost begun to second guess myself. Then their last idea was an xray. So I went, did it and had to wait until the doc called me with the results... This morning I get a call from the doctor.. Guess what... IT'S IN THERE! It had migrated BEHIND my uterus (you know, after piercing THROUGH it) and was hanging out upside down just out of sight of the ultrasounds.... Plus side, I know my body and I'm not crazy! Negative side.... Because it had migrated outside of my uterus.. There is a good possibility of it either migrating further or embedding itself into muscle or tissue which as it sounds, would not be good.. So now I wait for the phone call (that probably won't come until next week..) saying that they have scheduled me for my Laparoscopy... This is a surgery where they will make an incision in my belly button or just below to insert a thin lighted tube and hopefully reach the location of the rogue IUD and remove it. It is an outpatient procedure (thank GOD) and recovery time (pain wise) is only usually a day or two because of the incision... It really sucks that I have had the best and now the worst experience with this birth control. They told me I had the option to get a new one put in while I'm asleep and the camera is there to ensure PROPER placement. I'm still considering it.. just not totally sold quite yet.. The pictures below are of how mirena SHOULD be and where mine currently is.. (SHOULD NOT BE). So IF you have this same form.. Be sure to CHECK! Because even if it was totally fine for the whole time before, doesn't mean you're immune to the not so good possibilities... I'm really glad they were able to check it out and FIND IT before it did any more damage than it may or may not have already done.... The surgery if all goes well and fast, will be the week after next so.. fingers crossed on THAT, and I will keep you updated after the fact!

Old Draft!!! 19 Things to be Thankful for this month as a Super (and pregnant) Mom...

         
THIS POST HAS BEEN IN DRAFT MODE SINCE I WROTE IT! (NOVEMBER) I AM OBVIOUSLY NOT STILL PREGNANT AND IT IS THE MIDDLE OF JULY.... I FIGURED I WOULD GO BACK AND PUBLISH IT ANYWAY! A FEW MONTHS LATE.... THANKS! ;)





 There are a lot of things to be thankful for every day we are given the chance to roam freely on this planet.. Things like job security, a skilled talent, and to have the things needed to make everyday life livable. I'm thankful for stuff like that just like everyone else BUT there are also some things that I am personally thankful for as a super tired and very pregnant mom and what better month to display these things than the month of Thanksgiving.... Thirty things, one for every day if you want to look at it that way, that make my November (and other months lately..) one to be thankful for...

1. Having a bathroom connected to my bedroom.
   
Why? --- When you wake up three to four times a night to GO, it's nice to have just a few steps to travel instead of a trek down a hall or stairs. I'm pretty sure half the time I don't even open my eyes it's been instilled THAT much into my routine... Sit up, swing legs over bed, stand, take three steps, open door, take two steps, turn slightly, sit, go, stand, take two steps, turn on water, wash hands, turn off water, dry hands, take two steps, close door (sometimes not even that) take three steps, climb into bed, sink into pillows, sleep. Total time spent: One minute, forty seconds (And that's REALLY stretching it..) Most of which is at the sink.... Repeat three to four times a night... Very thankful.

2. Comfy shoes I DON'T have to tie.

Really? --- YES! Sketchers memory foam walking shoes with NO laces! YES PLEASE! An "investment" to some, a dream for me. Worn with jeans, comfy pants, shorts AND they're not hideous! Any reason for me to NOT bend over in this time is amazing.. In this case.. The dodging of bending over to tie shoes... Ahhhh....

3. Good TV.

Why? --- Summer time is full of reruns of old shows. Nothing worthy of my time ever airs in the summer. It's like an extra push to keep you outside off of your couch and that's fine. November is a month and a half into GOOD TV. The seasons of the great shows start in fall. It's timed perfectly with the declining temps and expansion of my belly! Though we're not held up watching ten thousand things everyday, we have a few days a week of something good...

4. The lack of humidity.

Hmmm... --- Yes honey! If you have thick, wavy hair like mine, you would be thankful too! This is the time of year when I can spend twenty minutes straightening my hair and be ALMOST positive that it will look relatively similar by the end of the day to when I started. In the summer? FORGET IT! It takes close to an HOUR and within a half hour it starts to POOF out like crazy thanks to the wonderful southern heat and humidity! HORRIBLE!!! So pony tails and messy buns to keep my cool and comfy through the really hot months and then cute styled hair just in time for the holidays... ;)

5. Pumpkin stuff...

Pumpkin? --- We're talking smells AND tastes of pumpkin are EVERYWHERE! Pumpkin candy, pie, cheesecake, cookies, muffins, creamer, eggnog, ice cream, even Oreos and Pop Tarts! Then the smells... Car fresheners, sprays, candles, waxes.... Mmmm... I just can't resist the yummy fall obsession that is pumpkin flavored...

6. Body Pillows.

PillowS? --- Yes, as in more than one. Two to be exact. I have always had one and can't really sleep without one these days. (Seriously, it sucks.) However, now that I'm big and pregnant, one just isn't enough! I find I sleep the best when I build myself a pillow nest. One of them behind me almost acting like a wedge to prop me half way up and the other in front for the legs and arms to hug. It is VERY comfy and I think if I didn't have them, it would take four or five big pillows (in addition to the two I use for my head) to make it as comfortable as I have it now...

7. Pregnant women or mother with children parking spots.

Seriously? --- Have you ever driven up to a store and notice how many handicapped spots there are? Some times it just seems CRAZY!!! And they're never all filled it seems like. There are a few stores though that have considered the MOM side of parking and those considerate places put (usually limited but still!) spots right up at the front of the lot just for moms who are pregnant or have small children! Personally, I have used these spots at a BI-LO, Toys R Us and Best Buy ;) Do I get looks from people when I park in these spots? Sure. Do they reconsider their judging stares when they see my big belly? Every time... Very thankful, especially the closer I get to my D day! Good looking out guys!

8. Head phones.

Huh? --- Some times it's my kids using them or ME using them, either way, they can be a God send! You know those times where you're sitting down to watch a show you recorded days before and are finally getting the time to watch it? At the same time, your children want to sit next to you with a tablet or phone and play a little game that they just CAN'T play without sound. You know what I'm talking about.. Candy Crush, Flappy Bird and other games like that that have the same repetitive music ditty or sound effects that just start to get on your nerves! Enter head phones... In this case the child wears them. They're happy hearing the annoying noises and you get to actually hear your show. Win-win!

9. Shelf Bra Tanks.

Why? --- Anyone who wears them casually around the house, usually doesn't worry about the formality of a real bra when it comes to these shirts. They're enough support to be comfortable without feeling like you're being choked. The MOST comfortable would be to loose the bra part all together (You know it's true ladies!) But still... These are pretty good lounge shirts when you don't want to feel like being totally free in the chest area!

10. Pepsi.

Why? --- Even before I became pregnant this was my only "crutch" when it comes to a habit. I don't smoke, drink like crazy or even have coffee. This soda is my gateway to caffeine and it is SO GOOD. Of course WHILE I'm pregnant I'm totally limited on my intake of this deliciousness... But it's still nice to steal a sip here and there. Mmmm.....

11. DVR.

Wait, what? --- Though my chaotic schedule is starting to calm down in some areas, in others, it's about to get ramped up. Good TV was up there on the list but the good stuff runs at night, some times more than one show at once... These days, 9pm can feel like 3am and without warning I can crash hard. If I didn't have this wonderful device, I'd miss out! And the best part... MY shows record at night when everyone is home and I'm ready to sleep but then I get to watch them commercial free in the morning when I'm alone before my day starts to get crazy. It's a little thing... Still thankful! :)


12. When a last minute checkout lane opens...

Does that really happen? --- Though it doesn't happen as often as I would like it to, it has happened a few times when I'm able to get out of my long line I've been waiting in and start my checkout process. The best times it's happened was when I happened to have a cart FULL of groceries and I feel like my back is about to break if I stand for any longer. Of course you get those creeps who sneak in when the light turns on as they walk by. You know, the ones who have NOT been waiting in line... THAT drives me nuts, but the savior who turns the light on and makes it feel like it's perfect timing for ME... Thankful. (Still wish it would happen WAY more!)

13. Giggle Fits.

What the hell is a giggle fit?? --- Working in the house, out of the house, dealing with the kids school stuff, animal stuff, husbands work stuff... All of that can make life a total blur. It is very easy to be swept up in everything and lose the moments to just LAUGH. Not everyone thinks that's a big a deal but to be super serious ALL THE TIME... Would probably kill me. That's why I'm thankful that even at my age with a million crazy things going on, I still have giggle fits. The best way to describe what I'm talking about would be to compare it to being tipsy around 2am when you're on that border line between falling asleep and laughing your ass off at ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. I don't really know WHAT sparks it, but when it hits... it sticks with me for a while. I've had it hard enough that I start to cry and even have come very close to peeing myself. Quick example... Yesterday I was out to lunch with a friend and my kids. We had sat inside and my oldest daughter sat next to me. There was a little boy behind us with his family and apparently he farted. Like BIG time. It didn't even sound real and I thought that my kids blew on their arm or something. I only realized it was real when I heard the little boy say "Sorry" behind me. I looked across the table at my youngest daughter who had her mouth cupped in her hand trying to hold in a gut busting laugh it looked like. Then I started feeling a shake on my seat. I look at my oldest daughter and she was hunched over with her lips pressed together as tightly as they could be and she was SHAKING she was holding in massive laughter. Even though I knew why, I asked her what was so funny and she couldn't help but to bust right open with laughter. This in return causes ME to start laughing like crazy. After a minute I'm telling them to settle down and everything while I try to put myself back together. They do with a few random chuckles and smiles to follow. Then my friend starts talking to me about a completely new subject and out of nowhere, I start laughing hysterically AGAIN! I had to get a napkin to cover my face because I was laughing so hard. I started CRYING and shaking. It was unreal. It happened a few more times after that and I'm really impressed I didn't wet myself after all that. Finally I said it was time to go so we packed up and headed out. Those moments... The ones that make great little stories AND make your stomach hurt... Ahh... Thankful for my giggle fits...

14. Yoga Pants.

Ahh.. --- Damn right Ahhh.... Now I, like a good 65% (or MORE) of women who buy and wear these wonderfully comfortable pants and don't actually DO YOGA, am absolutely in LOVE with the feel and style of these pants. No buttons.. No strings.. Not even that annoying snug fitting elastic... Just slip on comfort with a boot cut leg making them easy to wear with all kinds of shoes. Of course they're comfortable to wear when you're actually exercising too but the simple black yoga pants are an easy grab for quick trips to the store, long trips in the car and every day relaxing... Thank you maker of the yoga pant!

15. Reusable Grocery Bags.

Those things? --- To be honest, when these reusable bags first came into play, I didn't really care that much about them. The thought of having something to remember to bring every time you go shopping wasn't something I was willing to grasp. I only say that because even though I take the time to write out a grocery list, nine times out of ten I forget the list on the counter! Though they seemed like more of a hassle than a help, I also can't STAND plastic bags. The size is so limited and the cashiers never seem to pack them as full as they can go. (Even if I ASK them to..) So one day I just happened to find some of these good for the earth bags that seemed strong and spacious so I bought a few and decided to try them out. Of course the first few times grocery shopping I forgot them like I figured I would but eventually I remembered them and found that they actually AMAZING! What the cashier can fit into over fifteen plastic bags, I can fit into two or three of my reusable bags! Less crap to carry, less room being taken up.. Win-Win-WIN! I'm not one of those that needs all of their groceries specifically separated so I just tell the cashier that I will bag my own and throw everything in a bag until it's full. DONE! I even do it faster than if they were to do it for me and any time I can NOT be standing waiting in a line is a good time for me. It's been coming up on two years now that I use these things and I won't go back! If you don't have these wonders... GET SOME!

16. The cell phone reject list.

What? --- Have you ever been called by random numbers, sometimes MORE than once? Could be a repetitive wrong number, salesperson, or some other annoying thing. Bottom line, you're tired of the constant ring ins and just want them to stop! Enter, the reject list.... It is a feature on MOST phones these days that is simply wonderful to have.. Let's say a telemarketer calls you at 8am telling you about this amazing product you just have to have and even after trying to be nice when you reject the offer, your phone rings three more times that week from the SAME people... Not anymore! You answer that call ONE time to see who it is, (if you even do that..) find it's not someone you care to hear from again, press the number until an options menu pops up, hit the magic words "Add to Reject List" and BOOM! DONE! That number will NOT be calling you back until they are manually removed from that list! Ever so thankful for that... ^_^

17. Lazy Sundays.

Sounds nice! --- It is so very nice to be able to sleep in and KNOW that you will have the entire day to relax with the family for a whole day without work or school. Usually if we're out and about, it happens more on a Saturday leaving Sunday wide open for comfy clothes and lounging while playing some family games or hanging out outside. It's always so relaxing... Sure it's the day before the dreaded week begins all over again, but you don't think about THAT part of Sunday until it's almost over. The beginning... a wonderful day with nothing you HAVE to do except enjoy the people you're with.

18. Febreeze.

Mmm hmm.. --- IF you have used it, you know what I'm talking about. The scents that blast away odors of all kinds that change throughout the year. I probably have eight cans in my house at any given time. Though the majority stay with the rest of my cleaning supplies, I like to keep at least one or two different scents in the bathroom because, well.. you know why. It's much better walking into a bathroom that smells like the beach or some fresh flower as opposed to the alternatives!

19. Online shopping.

Hmm.. --- I do love to shop but when you have stuff going on ALL THE TIME, sometimes even if you need something, it's just better to NOT have to get dressed up and people ready. That's where the magic of online shopping and delivery services come into play. You have the opportunity to shop at hundreds of different stores and places while never leaving the comfort of your home. I have cycled through tons of different delivery people from UPS, USPS and FedEx. I shop, order and days later the items just show up on my door step. Easy stuff! If they had a grocery delivery system where you could go through and pick out everything you wanted and have it delivered the next day to your door... That would be AWESOME! Maybe some day...


There are  many more things of course... These were just a few top of the headers! -Super Mom