Monday, November 25, 2013

Battling Endometriosis & Overbearing Pain


I decided that I would open up and help someone that may be going through complications such as I am. Within the past year I have tried to adjust my life to “accommodate” pain. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis almost 1.5 years ago. I obtained the information after numerous trips to the ER that were extremely painful. I would be home or at work and all of a sudden I would have intense pain and a bout of extreme nausea. I racked up emergency room bills and no one could tell me what was going on with me.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Endometriosis (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus (endometrial implant). Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, bowel or the tissue lining your pelvis.

In endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriosis may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions — abnormal tissue that binds organs together.

Endometriosis can cause pain — sometimes severe — especially during your period. Fertility problems also may develop.


POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS
Pelvic pain (especially during your cycle-dysmenorrhea)
Bloating
Nausea
Infertility
Excessive Bleeding
Back Pain
Headaches
Fatigue
Insomnia
Diarrhea
Constipation
Painful intercourse
Pain when urinating or bowel movements


Many women are misdiagnosed with other things when it really is Endometriosis. Often times, a woman is diagnosed with Endometriosis after extreme pain when they are admitted into the hospital.

Women are misdiagnosed with the following:

appendicitis
ovarian cysts
bowel obstruction
colon cancer
diverticulitis
ectopic pregnancy
fibroids
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
ovarian cancer
PID (pelvic inflammatory disease) or sexually transmitted disease(s)


A Primary Care Physician can imply that you have endo, but cannot confirm unless they go in to see what’s happening. Your doctor can conduct a Pelvic Exam, Ultrasound, or perform a Laparoscopic surgery to determine if you have endometriosis.

One day, I was diagnosed at Urgent Care with appendicitis and had to rush to the ER to have surgery. After several tests, the ER Physician informed me that my appendix was perfectly healthy. The ER Physician referred me to my PCP (Primary Care Physician) immediately to undergo extensive testing, because they could not find what was making me ill. I went to my PCP and nothing was wrong, and I felt despondent. I started feeling like I was tripping and my mind was playing tricks on me. I finally went for my routine Pap smear and my Gynecologist caught the issue. He explained and educated me on endometriosis. He expounded on how it could have gone undetected, and the reasoning behind my pain. He informed me that my scar tissue from Post Gallbladder Surgery has meshed with my endometriosis. This is the reason why I have extreme pain. He prescribed me pain medication, which was Hydrocodone (Lortab). He also put me on a Birth Control called Lutera (Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol). He had me change my diet to incorporate more natural and healthier food options. Life got so much better for me!

I started to conduct more research to decrease as much pain as I could. A Special friend of mine suggested that I start taking Evening Primrose Oil Vitamins. I started taking it and I feel so much better than I previously did.


I also started drinking Ginger Root Tea on a daily basis. I grew up drinking it due to my culture, but did not realize how much it would help me aside from post pregnancy.

Ginger or ginger root is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family (Zingiberaceae). Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. The distantly related dicots in the Asarum genus have the common name wild ginger because of their similar taste.




I must say that I do have times where I experience extreme pain, but it is much better than what it used to be. It is more manageable for me. My pain level on a scale from  1 to 10 is a 5, but it used to be a 13. My irritability, restlessness, and agitation has reduced a great deal. I must admit I still suffer from headaches and nausea during my bad months. It is not an easy task to maintain a level of being pain-free.


If you are experiencing these symptoms, please go to a doctor for a thorough examination. We have to endure certain things as women, but we should do everything in our power to make it our lives easier. We CANNOT fly if we are being weighed down with afflictions. 

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." ~Romans 8:18



PSA: Endometriosis is NOT an STD or an infection of any kind.  It is not contagious.  Though it cannot be prevented, treatments do exist.


Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Facial Skin Care: How to care for skin...prevent breakouts...even out skin tone?


Fresh Face #NOFilter

I decided to write a quick blog on facial skin care, because many people ask me how I keep my face as clear as I do. I am very picky when it comes to my face, and I freak out if someone randomly touches me in my face (dirty hands). Any who, I decided to inform you guys on a few simple things that assists me with keeping my skin as clear as possible if I can help it. Its usually quite hard to maintain my skin because sometimes I have:

*oily skin

*dry skin

*combination of oil & dry patches throughout my skin

OR

*Sometimes my skin peels like a snake (of course when the seasons change)
This is extremely aggravating due to the weather predicting the outcome of my facial skin.

I have to ensure that I do not use products that will create more issues than needed. Okay, I use some simple home remedies to assist me with optimal facial skin care. I also use a few store brought products to complete my goal.  These items are as followed:

Mustard- I place a dab of mustard on my acne for at least 15-20 minutes to dry the pimple out. Mustard contains natural salicylic acid that shortens and eliminates the life cycle of a pimple.

Next step……….

Baking Soda- I make a paste with a small amount of baking soda and I let it stay on my face for at least 15-20 minutes. I normally put it on there and get caught up with chores or miscellaneous things that it stays on for about an hour. I rinse it off and apply my lotion to replenish the skin.


(My cousin who models would give me facials with these household items when we would hang together. She was my saving grace. It works wonders and she keeps a clear face!! See her pictures below)



Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Wash - I wash my face 2 xs daily (morning & night) with this product.  It is quite expensive and the cheapest I find it is $7.99 on a sale at Walgreens or CVS Pharmacy.

****This gentle foaming cleanser helps treat and prevent blemishes and breakouts without overdrying. The ACTIVE NATURALS® moisture-rich soy formula helps visibly improve skin tone and texture, for healthier-looking skin. Oil free, hypoallergenic, noncomedogenic and gentle enough to use every day.

Aveeno Clear Complexion Cleansing Bar- I often use this bar if I do not want to spend that much on the wash. It works great but I prefer a pump to use (just my preference).

****This cleansing bar contains moisture-rich soy and effectively cleanses without overdrying. Our exclusive soy formula helps to naturally even out skin tone and smooth texture. This soap-free, oil-free and hypoallergenic formula works best for breakout-prone skin.


Ambi Complexion Cleansing Bar- I use this product about every other day to even out my skin tone due to blemishes that may have been caused by an unruly pimple (that time of the month ladies). This soap evens me out and makes my skin complexion smooth and glow. I use this in addition to the Aveeno just because the aveeno prevents breakouts as well.

****It is enriched with proven cleansing agents to effectively wash away surface impurities and makeup for soft, clean skin. It’s rich, clean-rinsing lather also has light fresh scent.

Cetaphil- I use this due to it being a light lotion and/or moisturizer for sensitive skin. It does not clog my pores and it does not have me all shiny looking (I be having frequent specs of that Haitian skin shine LOL).

                                                                                                            (Before I go to bed--Clean Face)



I would encourage you to try these remedies and products to see if it makes a difference. Remember that the first representation of you is your skin. Wouldn’t you want to look clean and flawless?? Embrace YOU Love YOU….BE FLY in all that you do!! ~Flying Effortlessly

Friday, May 10, 2013

Natural Skin Care



A year ago my health was being challenged and I started my journey to be a healthier me. My doctor’s were puzzled due to the glands in my left being swollen and very painful. The swelling and the pain would come and go, which made this very hard to detect the origin of the issue. My skin started to get real sensitive all over and being outside would cause me to itch uncontrollably. In addition, I noticed that I would also start to itch whenever my stress levels spiked. I started to have a lot more dry scalp, my hair was breaking, and I had to wash my hair at least once a week with special shampoo.

I started to research all the appropriate things to put “in” my body and to put “on” my body. I was determined to become healthier by ingesting things internally that are natural in nature. I went to the Dermatologist and my Primary Care Physician and they were unaware as to what was going on with my body.  I decided at that very moment to stop ingesting chemicals and I would eliminate the use of relaxers with my hair. I have been transitioning my hair for a year now and I still have relaxer at the ends. I did not want to do a Big Chop so I decided to Transition from Relaxed to Natural slowly.

Tip: Grow an inch of hair and cut off an inch of hair to transition slowly!

I started to use shampoo & conditioner that is Sulfate-free whenever I did not go to the Salon. Luckily, for me my hairdresser also specializes in natural hair so that was a blessing. Hair was one thing that I was concerned with, but I was much more concerned with my skin. I thoroughly love my skin and complexion. It took awhile to gain that love of myself irrevocably and I was determined to fix whatever was going wrong. The issue is that I did not have any rashes or irritation on my skin to visibly show the itching that I was experiencing. I started to research everything that it pertains to skin and I purchased them and started an eliminating process. I was already aware from my early twenties that I had an allergic reaction to “Gain Detergent” that triggered my skin and caused to me to develop Pityriasis Rosea for about 2 months. This skin problem drove me crazy and I learned to NEVER EVER use Gain Detergent again. I ONLY use All Free & Clear Detergent to wash my clothes.  
Almost single-handedly Prevents Pityriasis Rosea!

Pityriasis rosea (say "pih-tih-RY-uh-sus ROH-zee-uh") is a common skin problem that causes a rash. Although it can occur at any age, it is seen most often in those between the ages of 10 and 35.

 This is a list of things that I purchased to assist me with overcoming skin irritation:
I can show you where to get these products for yourself (see the end of this blog)

The Nutrients Your Body Needs for Healthy, Lustrous Hair, Glowing Skin & Strong Nails*
America's #1-selling beauty multi-vitamin
Lustrous hair, glowing skin and strong nails*
24 vitamins, minerals and herbs



No one can go wrong with good old fashion Dove Soap! This is my absolute favorite if I am going to use a Bar Soap.

Dove® Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar pampers sensitive skin with Dove® ¼ moisturizing cream, and a truly mild formula that's fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and unscented. Dove® is the #1 cleansing bar recommended by dermatologists and pediatricians.

I take a shower/bath with this at least 3 times per week. Tea Tree is pretty strong so make sure that you DO NOT use this on your private parts!!! I use the Almond Wash the nights that I do not use the Tea Tree wash. The almond wash soothes you and relaxes you more before bed.



Dr. Bronner's Tea Tree Liquid Soap

Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that helps heal cuts and bruises as well as skin conditions like acne dermatitis and psoriasis. All oils and essential oils are certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program. Packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

INGREDIENTS:
Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Olive Oil*, Tea Tree Extract, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Citric Acid, Tocopherol 
* CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS 

** None remains after saponifying oils into soap and glycerin




Nothing brings the warmth and coziness of home and hearth into your shower like our heavenly almond scent. All oils and essential oils are certified organic to the National Organic Standards Program. Packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.

INGREDIENTS:
Water, Organic Coconut Oil*, Potassium Hydroxide**, Organic Olive Oil*, Organic Hemp Oil, Organic Jojoba Oil, Natural Almond Fragrance, Citric Acid, Tocopherol 
* CERTIFIED FAIR TRADE INGREDIENTS 

** None remains after saponifying oils into soap and glycerin


As soon as I get out of the shower I oil my body down with this Coconut Oil. THIS IS THE BOMB! It softens the skin, moisturizes the skin, and it lightens the skin. It lightened my mother’s skin that the chemotherapy and radiation darkened. This is by far the best product and you can cook with this Coconut Oil. I have noticed that many people use it to cook more than for topic purposes.  


Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is among the healthiest, most versatile dietary oils in the world. An excellent culinary oil with its natural coconut flavor and aroma, we think it is simply the best tasting, most aromatic coconut oil on the planet.
·         Contains meat from only the freshest, organically grown coconuts
·         Produced using the same methods Philippine farmers have used for centuries
·         Helps maintain already healthy levels of cholesterol and thermogenesis
·         Great for low carbohydrate diets
·         Can be used in place of butter. Enjoy in cooking, frying, baking or in smoothies
·         RAW, vegan, non-GMO, not hydrogenated, refined, bleached or deodorized
·         Available in 16 oz. and 32 oz. jars
Extra Virgin Coconut Oil is a stable, healthy, naturally saturated fat that is free from trans-fatty acids. It contains medium-chain fatty acids, including lauric acid, caprylic acid and capric acid which are readily converted to energy by the body. Consumption of coconut oil at recommended levels, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle, helps maintain already healthy levels of cholesterol. 

These are other miscellaneous products that I use to make my skin feel good and it provides a great fragrance:
Coconut Shower Cream
This soap-free shower cream contains organic virgin coconut oil and has a deliciously tropical scent. Soap-free Lather-rich Tropical coconut scent
Bath Gloves
Get even more of a lather with these textured bath mitts that exfoliate gently.
Sleep-Lavender Vanilla
Relax before sleep. Lavender Essential Oil and Vanilla Absolute help calm feelings of stress so you can sleep better. This fast-foaming body wash is infused with soothing skin conditioners. For a calming bubble bath, add a couple of ounces to warm, running water. Our special formula contains precious botanicals - White Birch and Bamboo extracts are known to purify and soothe skin while Pearl Powder helps condition skin.
Now formulated to be faster-foaming with soothing skin conditioners
Breathe deeply for best results
Fragranced with essential oils and other natural fragrances
Not tested on animals

Relax and think clearly. Eucalyptus Essential Oil clears the mind while Spearmint Essential Oil uplifts to help improve concentration. This fast-foaming body wash is infused with soothing skin conditioners. For a relaxing bubble bath, add a couple of ounces to warm, running water. Our special formula contains precious botanicals - White Birch and Bamboo extracts are known to purify and soothe skin while Pearl Powder helps condition skin.
Now formulated to be faster-foaming with soothing skin conditioners
Breathe deeply for best results
Fragranced with essential oils and other natural fragrances
Not tested on animal
Sleep-Lavender Vanilla Lotion

Relax before sleep. Lavender Essential Oil and Vanilla Absolute help calm feelings of stress so you can sleep better. This ultra-creamy, nourishing body lotion is formulated to give skin long-lasting moisture. Our formula contains precious botanicals and minerals - White Water Lily and Malachite are known to help soothe skin so it looks and feels its best.
Now formulated to provide all day moisture
Breathe deeply for best results
Fragranced with essential oils and other natural fragrances
Not tested on animals

All of these products help with eliminating Eczema, Pityriasis Rosea, Psoriasis, and other skin irritations. One year later, I have NO issues with my skin. Whenever I start to get irritated I notice that I am using more of my Dove Soap and less of the Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soap(s) that helps with it subsiding. I only take my Hair, Skin, & Nail Vitamin every other day. It also helps with hair growth, nail growth, and nail strengthening. I recommend all of these products for anyone to use. Please consult with your Physicians if they have you taking other medication(s). I feel so much better now that I am taking better care of my skin with products that are more natural in nature. I hope that this helps others that read this blog.


Last tip: Utilize Vitamin E Capsules to lighten blemishes and scars on your skin. Purchase Vitamin E capsules and punch a hole in them to get a more potent oil to rub on your blemish after taking a bath. It will lighten your scars in little time.  
Vitamin E Capsules











Friday, February 8, 2013

“LOVING THE SKIN THAT I’M IN”


How did I get here? Loving me was not that easy. I remember asking myself where I start with truly loving me. What is Self-Love really about? What is the journey to getting there? I was at a place in my life where I hated who I was and I hated who I was becoming. What happened to me? Where did I lose me in the process of loving me? How could I allow myself to lose who I was for the benefit of others?  I had my “Aha” Moment when I looked at myself in the mirror one day before going to work. I didn’t recognize the individual that I viewed in the mirror staring back at me. Who was she and where did she come from? The person that looked back at me was disgusted with life, disconnected from others, alienated from my true feelings, she was hurt, destroyed, guarded, violated, disregarded, and spiritually depleted. I could only look in the mirror and cry……something like the scene from Poetic Justice when Janet revealed her emotions. It’s amazing how others can view you on the surface and it appears that everything is great, but you are truly dying inside. Pictures can convey things that are truly opposite of what you are feeling!! I decided that day to make a change for the better and to stop denying myself true love, which ultimately is generated from Self-Love!
(This is a picture that I appear to be fine, but I was hurting tremendously)

To start my journey I had to reflect and revert back to how I became this person. To be honest with you I hated myself growing up!!! Yuck Yuck Yuck…………I hated my complexion/skin, I hated my eyes, I hated my nose, and I hated my teeth with a passion. I developed a complex at a young age due to others making fun of me and I accepted that negative view of myself. Back in the day, being a dark skinned complexion girl was frowned upon and the name calling was something fierce. I remember being called Night, Shadow, Dark Vader, Blue Girl, Skillet to name a few. It made me hate who I was on the outside and started the deterioration of my self-esteem. I would often times question myself and tell the kids that “God didn’t make me light-skin because I wouldn’t be pretty light skin”…..This was disturbing thinking back on it.
 
(Me at 8 years old )

I started evaluating myself and I completed self-assessments that reviewed my self-esteem, self-worth, self-confidence, self-consciousness, self-actualization, self-value, etc.  I realized that I said I thought highly of myself, but my actions were not aligning with my self-beliefs. I then started to research the definitions of these self-attributes in its entirety and then I started to define who I wanted to be as a person.

Self-esteem:
A realistic respect for or favorable impression of oneself; self-respect.

Self-worth:
The sense of one's own value or worth as a person; self-esteem; self-respect.

Self-confidence:
Realistic confidence in one's own judgment, ability, power, etc.

Self-consciousness:
Excessively aware of being observed by others

Self-actualization:  
the achievement of one's full potential through creativity, independence,
Spontaneity, and a grasp of the real world.

Self-Value:
Proper esteem or regard for the dignity of one's character

Clearly at this juncture in my life my numbers on the scale for all these attributes were very low.  So I began to do things that will enable me to assess me & that will enable me to get back to me. I had to do several things to ensure that I was focused on me:

1.       I exited a relationship that I’d been in for 10 years (5 pre-marriage/5 married)
2.       I relocated to allow myself a fresh start (I didn’t want/need a negative reminder of what made me what I considered “Damaged Goods”.
3.      I would write in my journal to purge all my thoughts whether it be negative and/or positive (GET IT OUT-if you don’t acknowledge it you CAN’T correct it!!)
4.      I worked out to alleviate my anger and purge my negative emotions.
5.      I learned myself through trial and error (What do I like? What do I want? Who am I?)
6.      I read books to keep my mind from straying to a negative place (THIS WAS MY ESCAPE-MY GETAWAY)
7.      I removed myself from negativity, drama, selfishness(I BECAME A RECLUSE)
8.      I READ MY BIBLE & TALKED TO GOD A LOT via Journals, Notes, Music, in the Mirror, etc.


(Song that assisted me with my journey)

All these things enabled me to search and define who I was as it pertains to exterior and interior. I asked myself questions all the time and not just surface questions. I had to dig deep and ask secondary as well as tertiary questions to enable me to open up to me. I found that I had hidden pieces of me from me……..How could you not recognize pieces of yourself? THAT’S CRAZY. I realized that I wanted to be restored, restructured, revamped, recovered, and of all things REPLETE! I have attained all these things, but I still have other things to transform about myself. My ultimate aspiration is to be replete!!

res·to·ra·tion
/ˌrestəˈrāSHən/

1. The return of something to a former owner, place, or condition.
2. The process of repairing or renovating a building, work of art, etc., so as to restore it to its original condition.

re·plete

/riˈplēt/
Adjective
1.      1.Filled or well-supplied with something; completely filled; full
2. abounding, abundant, alive, awash, brimful, brimming, charged, chock-full, complete, crammed, crowded, filled, full up, glutted, gorged, jam-packed, jammed, lavish, loaded, luxurious, overfed, overflowing, packed, plenteous, rife, sated, satiated, stuffed, swarming, teeming, thronged, well-provided

I am so different now and I am healing every day in every way. I no longer allow others to impinge on me like when I was a child. At times, I’m scared that I really don’t care what they think of me. LOL The best thing that I decided to do was love me….Self-Love is AMAZING!! How can you expect someone to love you when you don’t know how to truly love you? I wondered why I was in a relationship that was not producing love, and I would blame him for me not being happy. I had an epiphany one day after leaving and I called my ex to apologize, because it was all my fault. It started with me…..How I was treated was contingent upon how I treated myself. I owed him an apology and so I gave it.  I LET IT GO!!

If you have not mastered the art of loving yourself thoroughly & irrevocably how can you expect someone else to. If you don't know how to care for & take care of yourself what does he/she have to mirror those actions? I challenge you to love yourself & all the facets of you. Be YOUR own lover first…………make sure you fly above all life’s obstacles!! FLY EFFORTLESSLY
(God has a sense of humor-my light skinned twin lol)
(My Babies)
LOVING ME ~Flying Effortlessly

To love ourselves in a
biblical way is to seek the ultimate, eternal
good for ourselves, and this motivates  us to
“seek first his kingdom and his righteousness”
(Matthew 6:33).



Thanks to my photographer ...

Calvin Bolden
, 
Picture Perfect Photos
www.CalvinBoldenPhotography.ifp3.com
Tel: (407) 437-5224