Max and Samantha's Mom » Running

Blood tests, saliva tests, ovarian cysts and Mirena IUD

Rachel — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:03:32 +0000

So all my other hormones came back as normal, and let me say thank goodness but my estrogen is still elevated. I also found out that I have three cysts, one which is the size of as fist and the other two golf balls. So after reading about the Mirena IUD, which is what I had placed in April, I started to wonder. I had once had a cyst on my ovary when I went on that damn patch many years ago and then I switched back to the pill and it went away. Now I know that I have had hormonal issues since I got off the pill, almost 5 years ago and of course, I had been on it for about 15 years.

So April and May I bled almost every day and then June and July were great and the all of August I bled. Is this too much info? So I have a feeling that the mirena, which is a little steady progesterone was too much for my body and so it started to make extra estrogen. Like I said, I know this is not the whole picture..this is just one piece of the ovarian cysts. So this am, we took it out and I swear I instantly felt better. I should have gone with the hormone free IUD and that will be the plan once we are through with these damn cysts. I just hope no surgery or no pills..I just hope it will deflate on its own and then I can move on to the big picture-probably seeing an endocrine specialist.

So after lost of blood test and saliva tests and an ultrasound and soon an MRI and two more blood tests-at least we are onto to something. Now the funny part of this all, is that I am in the best damn shape that I have been since I met my husband. I am running the Philadelphia Distance Run, which is 13.1 Miles on Sunday and I am so happy I got this IUD out this am and that I am already feeling better.

Not to mention the physical, but damn was I sad one second and then I bitch the next. So there I am done complaining and venting.

Tomorrow I am gonna post about something very cool-like Max’s first week at school or Sam’s first music class this Wednesday.

ON THE RUN!

Rachel — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:40:19 +0000

I am hooked. Running that is. I used to compete as a swimmer pretty much my entire life and when I was 16 quit swimming after 10 years of my life for personal reasons. I just did not have it in my heart anymore but looking back-swimming or competing held me together. My biological father is a runner. He runs 5 to 7 miles everyday and has for 34 years. It is in my blood.

Working out is an amazing way for me to let go and since I had babies, I was doing it less. I was also feeling like I had nothing for myself. My husband has been addicted to Dean Karnaze who is an ultra marathon man, running at times 225 miles non stop; he is also an inspiration not because of the miles he runs but because he believes that anybody can do anything they want to do if they believe in themselves. It is so funny because this is something we learn in kindergarten but I think we forget as our minds get clogged with daily dramas.

Two weeks before we came down the beach I started doing interval training on the treadmill for about 2 miles and then lifting. When I got down here I saw the open road and the need for a morning schedule fort myself. I yearned to just let go and run and so I did. We bought a double BOB ironman stroller and I started running. At first 2 miles and then 3 miles and then 5 mies and now I just ran 6 miles. I am doing all of this pushing the stroller, which is about 36 pounds add Max at 33 pounds and Sam at 17 and I have a damn good workout.

I saw a documentary about Dean Karnaze, which was 50 marathons, 50 states, 50 days and I was moved. Moved to run. Moved to let go and find a part of myself that had been lost and so I ran. Wanting and yearning for a challenge. The same way I felt when I gave birth-holy shit-I did it without drugs..I must be crazy and I swore it was the worst and it was but I yearned for another time where I was pushed to hurt. Sounds crazy, huh?

So I feel good and both the kids are enjoying our morning runs. Max actually says Go! Go! Go!