Happy 4th Everyone!

Hope everyone has a wonderful 4th of July! I'll probably will be back more next week when we start our new cycle. This week has been insanely busy, and, the weekend will be the same. Work has been nuts, and, I hardly feel like making more connection with a computer when I get home.

Of course the incision started flaring today (bellyb)...when the clinics are closed. Whatcha gonna do?

Nothing much to report

Just as I suspected, nothing much, clinically, going on with my incisions. Apparently this is my normal? She did a physical exam, which I was thankful for (at least I didn't just get the glance over). They are so kind at the office. She didn't make me feel stupid for coming in; she actually validated my concerns and listened. But, when it came down to it, there was nothing much to report. There wasn't anything palpable on the exam. These things I am thankful for (no signs of infection); everything seems to be skin deep. But, as to WHY I am at the recovery level of a patient 3 weeks post op at 3+months out-we don't know. Luck of the draw?

I was able to deduct a certain bathing suit to my recent flare-ups. It's a one-piece suit (to avoid the sun to that area), but, maybe it was too tight and trapped in moisture for too long? I have tankini's I can wear now to try. I kinda don't even want to be out in the heat!!!

The RE said not to put a THING on it...and just see how it goes for the next week or so. No steroids, no creams, no oils. Just mild soap and water to wash. She also said that a flare up after a steroid is not unusual-it's called rebound. So, maybe coming on and off steroids is rebounding? Doesn't explain the belly button. But, there was no pus to be seen-again, no infection.

So goes my days. Unexplained case study.

*****UPDATE*****

I cannot BELIEVE I forgot to tell my RE about these "bug bites" that I get around my incisions. It hasn't happened in a long while, until this recent flare up. Near my incisions sometimes I'll start having random, intense itching. When I inspect it, there is a mosquito bite looking thing near the incision bed. Like, the white raised skin you get just after you get bitten? That's what it looks like!!! Ugh. Anyway, I got it last night near my lower left incision...and tonight I had two in my belly button next to my incision there and one again near the lower left. W-T-F?!?! I feel SO stupid calling back about this, but, I need to. Seriously, so stupid. "Um, I forgot to tell you I get these bug bite looking bumps that come and go within an hour or two of surfacing. What is that about?". Ughhhhhh.

Apt with RE

I have an apt with the RE tomorrow. We'll see how it goes. My two troubled incisions have been on their best behavior today. Of course they are. So I look like the crazy patient with nothing that is obviously wrong with her. Is it wrong that I am wishing my belly button to pus up again for my apt tomorrow? Probably. I'll just have to stress their pattern and just tell them what I know to be true.

Word.

Itching in fun places and oozing...awesome

Awesome title, right?!?!?

Yeah, so, still itching. It's really mostly external...pretty sure it's not a yeast infection. I've been taking grapefruit seed extraction though to fight off any yeast. SOMETHING is going on. My belly button today had a wonderful surprise-a pustule full of puss (that may be an oxymoron), that eventually ruptured. Seriously. I had surgery MARCH 20th. I am beside myself. I don't know what to do! I got a 2nd opinion from another derm...they didn't have much different to say. Talked to the nurses at work and they thought a wound specialist was too much. So, I'm stuck. Going to call the derm tomorrow and let him know what's going on. Puss filled belly button (I hate this incision, it's got divots which allow stuff to get trapped...I kinda wish they could cut it back open and re-do the stitching!!!) and the left upper incision troubles. It was looking better, but, of course it's back to it's crazy ways again. It was completely closed and now I'm back to a scab which will soon be open, as is it's past pattern.

Next thing the derm wanted to try was an injection right into the incision (now incisions). Awesome. We'll see how it goes tomorrow. Ughhhhhhhh. I really really really wanted this taken care of before the next round of IVF. I'm not sure what to do now. I know I need to try to beat out this endometrioma, but, I want this taken care of. They told me before that it wasn't a big deal because it was external, but, with recent happenings, I feel that it is more than just skin deep.

I've been a bad blogger

I've been kinda taking a break from blogging lately. I just need a little break from my endo world before my next IVF cycle begins (as much of a break as I can get!). I probably won't be on much next week. I hope to try to stay connected with your blogs, but, unless there is something a rocking this way, I hope not to post much here.

Just a few updates:

So, there are some interesting connections I am making with my body, but, don't know what to do or who to try to get to help make sense. My incisions (my lower left this time) starting flaring up randomly one day this week. The NEXT DAY I started itching "down there". I don't know that it's a yeast infection, but, maybe a yeast response or something inflammatory? This HAS to be connected. The day after the itching started, my belly button incision flared up too!!!! Two incisions that seemed to be laying low, all of a sudden itchy and a little puffy?!?! I'm sorry, that's too coincidental for me!!! I went and got a supplement a friend told me about that is supposed to help with yeast type issues, so, I figured I'd try that for now. Crazy, right?!?!?

Also, I've been spotting ever since about a week from starting the Aygestin. It was pretty heavy at first, but, now it's just every now and then. I've never had this problem with Aygestin before. It's not so bad anymore, but, just more annoying.

My pain seems to be better on that right side. I don't know if when the bleeding was heavier it was that fluid draining off or not. I don't even know if that is possible. At any rate, it seems to be doing okay.

So, that's me in a nutshell. Hope everyone is well, and, sorry I've been so slack this ICLW!!!!!!! I'll try tonight :)

ICLW time again!

Welcome ICLWers! Just a quick snippet of my blog:

I'm 29 and I have stage IV endometriosis.

It was an interesting battle to get diagnosed, but, I had my first laparoscopy in Feb 2008. After a course of Lu.pron for treatment, I was back to square 1 by Dec of the same year.

I had my 2nd lap for my endo in Mar 2009, and a hysteroscopy in Apr 2009 to remove polyps.

We've been TTC since Apr 2007. We went through our first cycle of IVF in April/May 2009. My right ovary wasn't much help (it didn't produce any viable eggs)-my endometrioma came back 6 weeks post-op. Fortunately it was relatively easy to drain during my egg retrieval, and, it hasn't grown much since then. But, it's lurking; we are racing against time to get pregnant before it causes another surgery.

Our first round unfortunately ended in a miscarriage. Our 2nd round of IVF is coming up, beginning the supression meds July 8th, and, hopefully with a very successful and sustaining BFP around August 10th. We are VERY eager to get started!!!!

Thanks for visiting and I look forward to reading your blogs!!!

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(Just in case you're not familiar)
What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease. It occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus (tissue called the endometrium) is found outside the uterus -- usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus; the area between the vagina and rectum; the outer surface of the uterus; and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Other sites for these endometrial growths may include the bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix, vulva, and in abdominal surgical scars. Less commonly they are found in the lung, arm, thigh, and other locations.

This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does: each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina, but the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation -- and can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems.

Diagnosis is considered uncertain until proven by laparoscopy, a minor surgical procedure done under anesthesia. A laparoscopy usually shows the location, size, and extent of the growths. This helps the doctor and patient make better treatment choices. The average time to diagnosis is about 8-10 years!!!!

Good news! (?)

So, I had my US this AM to help ease my fears about the endometrioma being back and bigger than ever. Well, there is no visible mass!!! Say what?!? Guess the draining helped!

However (since I know we all love caveats), I do have a bit of fluid hanging out around it. What does that mean? I haven't the foggiest. The clinic staff doesn't seem terribly concerned about it being there (perhaps this is normal post IVF?), so, I'll try not to be. I know that endometriosis can cause such ascites as well, so, might be "normal" for me. I'm supposed to monitor my pain and symptoms and let them know if anything gets worse.

My RE isn't in until next week. Maybe she can provide more insight. Until then, I will celebrate the magically "shrinking" (ie, drained) endometrioma and hope it has a long delayed return!

Tomorrow I have an apt with the Derm in the seemingly never-ending battle with that pesky incision. This last course of prednisone helped, but, its back a with a scab (it was closed) and itchy inflamed. Little bastard! Go AWAY! I have one model healing SCAR that the others need to learn a thing or two from!