Saturday, July 6, 2013

So it begins...


My Plan: To record my journey through hysterectomy (pre-op, post-op), surgical menopause, bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (bHRT), and the ups and downs of everyday life. 

My Hope:  That in blogging I find therapy for this transition period.  And maybe, my ramblings will help other women who are going through similar situations.  Or, at times, at least make them laugh.

My Life:  I am a wife and mom. Married 20 something years to a loving, nerdy, smart, adorable, and at times annoying man.  Together raising 4 compassionate, brainy, creative, sassy, comical, and….at times, annoying children.  Almost every day I wonder how I could have been so blessed to have these 5 individuals in my life. On other days, I have to wonder “WTH??!!”  Regardless, I would not trade any of them for the world. 


I am a poser farm girl. Living on 4+ acres with a garden that often grows more weeds than vegetables. Free range chickens and geese who have somehow managed to avoid the oven. (OK, no real mystery. They have names.) A horse who needs a companion other than the geese. (I’m thinking a goat or two).  A border collie/aussie shepherd mix who loves herding chickens. A beagle mix who is completely useless but lovable. And cats. TOO many cats. Not going to talk about the cats.

I am a student.  A non-traditional (read “older”) student working towards a degree in human services/social work.  Yes, I picked this degree because “I want to help.”  Not sure how this is going to work as I find people incredibly annoying. 

I am a budding amateur/hobby photographer.  Learning as I go. I have loved taking photos for 26 years. Yet I have never truly learned my way around my cameras. It seems I just have a knack for capturing some good stuff. Looking forward to what I will turn out once I know what I’m doing.



I am a laugher.  I love to laugh. I love making people laugh and yet I am almost always surprised when it happens. I am grateful to be surrounded by friends and family who make me laugh on a near daily basis.  


Laughter is healing.  My hope is that I will laugh my way through the next few months. I have no doubts that there will be pain and frustration.  I know there will be a LOT of tears. But with loving family and friends who make me laugh and therapeutic ranting/ blogging, I have faith this next journey, although bumpy, will be positive. 

“Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion.” Truvy Jones. Steel Magnolias.

6 comments:

  1. Hello sweetie, glad to see you doing this and hopefully it will be cathartic for you. I've lately thought of doing it myself to help cope with the roller coaster of addiction. As you have done many tomes over the years, maybe this will motivate me. Always here for you. Mine (hysterectomy) was uneventful, and I really didn't give it much thought. But I can help you navigate the medical part of it. I love you Beth!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooh, goats! Pleeeease, goats for Zander! P.S. - this is me. Jessica.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I absolutely LOVE your blog! I knew it would be fantastic; after all, you are my niece (hint of who I am...giggle, giggle) and your kids have gotten their creativity from you and my nephew. You have an overwhelming knack for making people smile and feel good. I know your blog will help a great deal of women, and will make them feel good about themselves, and provide good options for them to consider. You are an excellent writer. I love you LOTS Sweetie!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Like Beth, I too have been dealing with addiction issues. I think this blog will be good for all women dealing with life challenges.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Please note: I am in no way offended or upset by the above comment. Just need to clear something up as I have had family who is concerned. I am the author of the blog and my name is Beth. I do not have chemical addiction issues. My sweet friend made a comment regarding her son's addiction and ended it telling me that she loved me. "I love you Beth."

    As I AM the daughter of an alcoholic (sober for MANY years now, thank God) I do have tendencies towards addiction and I do watch myself. So, I am sure I will touch on these topics more than once as I continue to blog.

    And I won't lie, I have already thought about how careful I need to be with my upcoming recovery and pain killers. I will certainly take them! But I will also have my husband help me monitor my intake. Do I think it is necessary? Not really. But an extra bit of safety isn't a bad thing.

    Please continue to comment! Women encouraging each other through lifes transitions is a GOOD thing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I was gonna say, "WHAT chemical addictions??" Wow.

    ReplyDelete