Thursday, September 19, 2013

Kate Spade Vulva Dress / Skenitis #4


Do you see the vulvas?


My appointment with Dr. Howard is less than a week away.  I have six more doses (three days) of doxycyline left to take and I've seen no change in my pain.  I also have not (knock on wood) gotten a yeast infection this whole time, three months of antibiotics!, which makes me think I'm on a placebo.

Then I think I'm experiencing an anti-placebo effect, because certainly something at SOME POINT should help my pain, right?

I've been weathering the flopocalypse, aka menstrageddon, aka eternal period


since my visit in May.  First it was weeks of spotting, which ended with a real period.  Then I got another real period.  And another.  And another.  Four in six weeks.  And I'm not falling over from anemia yet?  Anti-placebo effect?

I think the repeated real periods might be from a new psych med, not from the steroids.  Or maybe my body is sending out egg after egg trying to catch up with where it left off before the steroids took over.

Anyway, the intensity of the flopocalypse has kept me from using the valium suppositories or the lidocaine as regularly as before.  I'll have to admit that to the doc next week.  Both are theorized to have a cumulative effect, but I didn't see anything big happening during the weeks that I was able to use both consistently.  Again, anti-placebo...

I'm guessing that the doc will try steroid injections at the Skene's glands at this upcoming visit.  Apparently he can do them without a simultaneous CT scan.  He said he's only performed surgery to remove the Skene's glands three times in his whole career -- and he's retiring this year -- so that's an unlikely future step.

I'm trying not to get to revved up ahead of the appointment, but I will inevitably freak out the day before, as I've done for every appointment at Rochester.  There's just so much at stake with each appointment.

The following Wednesday, October 2, is my seven-year vulvodynia anniversary.  I looked up what the gift is for a 7th anniversary.  Hallmark says:

Traditional: Wool/Copper
Modern: Desk Sets

The image of copper wool underwear flashed through my head, but then I couldn't stop laughing at desk sets.  Desk sets!  A bizarre anniversary gift to begin with.  Buying one for my vulva??

= = =

Happy to be linking up with the Yeah Write Moonshine Grid this week.  First time in a long time!  Click through to read other Moonshiners' blogs.  Probably none about vulvas, though, sorry.


9 comments:

  1. Esther, your vulva has been through hell - I think it deserves something much cooler than a desk set.

    Seriously, I am always blown away by your honesty.I learn something new from your posts every time, and I am grateful that you are willing to share your journey.

    Wishing you the best at your upcoming appointment.

    Karen

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    1. Thank you Karen! I really appreciate your support. I know these posts are not the norm. Thanks for reading!

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  2. Wool underwear sounds dreadful. But a desk set for a vulva sounds, um, interesting? Hope things go as you hope at your upcoming appointments.

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  3. You are brave, girl. I'm hoping for you - hoping for a cure, or at least relief.
    BTW - cute dress, even covered with vulvic imagery. :)

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    1. Thanks Natalie! I know, the dress is awesome. Thought I would share.

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  4. I don't really have any idea what you're talking about, but it sounds pretty intense! I hope your dr. visit goes well. :-)

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    1. Ha, thanks Jennifer! I know this is out of context if you haven't read my blog before, but I wanted to link up with Moonshine. Thanks for reading.

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  5. I'm sorry your anatomy can't be dumb and happy, but at least your writing is awesome. And thanks for gifting me with the image of your ovaries shooting eggs like a pitching machine:
    http://www.amazon.com/Lobster-Sports-Portable-Tennis-Machine/dp/B005MZ79EI/ref=sr_1_1?s=racquet-sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1384327051&sr=1-1

    ~Dani (as in, the other synaesthete)

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