Seems my ovaries took the Freedom From Self-Improvement day rather literally–or rather a cyst on my left ovary did–and decided to burst. Ouch is a writhing understatement. The lingering pain finally sent me to the emergency room a day and half later but only after I heard my story for not calling my doc.
Ann (my dear friend and the dog mother Luna really wants) and I went for our usual Friday morning walk–only I was didn’t walk so much as hold my belly and waddle–and she said, "Do you think you should call Jillian (my doc) given your continuing pain?"
I stopped, and while poking dog poop off the trail with a stick said, "But I didn’t use the progesterone she gave me the way I was supposed to."
Ann looked at me.
I looked at Ann. (If we tell a obviously ungrounded story in the woods, and the trees hear us, do do they laugh?)
I called my doc when I got home.
I share this because it’s yet another great example of how our minds construct reality in such funny ways — and how we need lots and lots of ways (and lots and lots more self-compassion) to observe our stories and look for their grounding, especially when these stories are intertwined with big fears, big assumptions, or any part of our identity. For me, being a healthy, smart woman (i.e. one who consistently and correctly applies her hormone cream) was more important than having my health checked out.
The emergency room doc gave me a note that said I had to rest and Ann suggested we write a cartoon about:
Ebay auction item hits new record: $1.5 million, with 4 hours to go!
(Signed Doctor’s note for 10 days rest)
P.S. Reading the comments over on the FFSI blog is very nurturing.
8 responses so far ↓
1 rubyslippers May 20, 2007
hope you are feeling better!
2 erinn May 20, 2007
lots of rest and good health to you. And good thoughts coming from me to you too.
3 suzie km May 21, 2007
Yikes, Honey! Sooo sorry for your pain. What did the Doc mean by rest? What will that look like for you? Maybe a few juicy practices from your Womens’Comfort Book? Extra naps? Painting in bed a la Frieda Kahlo? I send love and hugs, and an invisible multi-colored down quilt to wrap around yourself.
4 cindy May 21, 2007
jenn hope u are feeling better soon. take extra special care of yourself as u recover! warm hugs cindy
5 ann May 21, 2007
Do let us know what Jillian does say about the progesterone cream, will you? Can you still be her patient? teehee
6 Karen May 21, 2007
I hope you are feeling well. Please take care of yourself! You are precious to us. I know (from after I got my ankle operated on) how HARD it is to rest for 10 days. Good Luck!
7 Erin Blaskie May 23, 2007
I’m sorry to hear about the cyst on your ovary! I had this very same thing happen to me a few years ago and when it did, I also ended up in the hospital. I was kept overnight and they did surgery the next morning to clear the fluids, etc. It’s amazing how much that really does hurt though!
I’ll keep you in my thoughts and hope for a speedy recovery.
Erin Blaskie
http://www.bsetc.ca
8 Helga May 24, 2007
ouch! so sorry about your pain and discomfort. i’ll send some healing reiki your way.
may your 10 days of rest be restorative, comforting, and exactly whatever else you need.