what pressure?

So, starting about a week or 2 before surgery I started having some major issues with my blood pressure. Mostly I noticed it when it was extremely hot and I had been working out or working in the yard, but about 15 minutes after whatever activity ended I'd start to feel light headed, then sorta faint, then came the cold sweat, and then came the: "Oh #$%^ I think I might pass out" feeling. The first time I took my blood pressure when this happened I had a whopping 47/33 blood pressure ( you need at least 60/30 to supply your kidneys). I chugged some water- made sure someone knew I was feeling faint, laid on the floor, knees to chest- and 30 minutes later I was up to 90/50. Thats happened about a dozen times now.
Theory is its a vagal response or a vasovagal syncope (syncope means you pass out- which I dont pass out, because Im smart and I hit the "oh #$%^" position on the floor before I get that bad). Basically your vagus nerve (the 10th cranial nerve) runs from your brain, down your neck, through your heart, and down into your abdomen (roughly) and it stimulates the body to act in ways that it will lower the heart rate. Wiki it if you REALLY just have to know more about the wonderful vagus nerve. So essentially the vagus nerve can be stimulated by a few things: pain, extreme emotional distress, tumors, any type of pressure directly to the vagus nerve, etc. etc. etc.
So last Doctors appointment I let the doc know my B/P is still bottoming out- I usually run low 100/70's (normal being about 120/70)  and he says we'll watch it, and it SHOULD get better. If not- I get to go to the beloved cardiologist for MORE tests.  I wouldnt be so concerned- except it doesnt seem to be going away. And seeing as how I'm leaving for Army training soon- I REALLY need this to go away ASAP.  But on a positive note- it doesnt seem to happen when I go for my bike rides- so lets hope I can work through it. Gotta love recovery- but on a positive note- as my good friend reminded me the other day- IM TUMOR FREE (knock on wood)!!!

A little more than average...

So- being a medical person I can tell you from personal and proffesional experience that when they say things like "Its a 6 week recovery" or "it takes 4 weeks to heal" etc. What they are giving you is an average. For example: My niece broke her arm. They said 6 weeks to heal. However her cast came off in 3 weeks because WALLAH! its an average. Well, I dont think Ive ever wanted to be average at anything. And although I am not a pro at physical fitness I would like to think that at least I am maybe SLIGHTLY (if only minutely) above average. Considering that around 50-60% of people my age are overweight- and although I have my problem area's that puts me SLIGHTLY above average.  So me being me, and HATING recovery and not doing anything, I got up and walked 12 hours after surgery- about 12 hours sooner than most people. After 2 days I was up and walking around, almost like normal. And at 2 weeks I tried to run- that I was not to successful at- but I tried it, and I think effort counts for something. So since running didnt work well Ive been riding my bike. Average I do about 7 miles in about 30-45 minutes and its actually pretty nice. Although my thighs are kinda sore from the bike seat, which is definitely NOT made for comfort. To top it all off, out of sheer curiosity I did 10 sit ups today. But DONT tell my doc. Im pretty sure I would end up hearing the, "take it easy" schpeal again. It didnt hurt, but I do notice a little soreness now. I think my plan is going to be to do small abdominal workouts and stretches throughout the day over the next week or so, and work into doing my full 2 minutes of all out situps like I do for my PT tests. The run will be the next challenge.
But overall I think Im doing pretty good. I'm definitely not one of those people whose gonna run a marathon anytime soon- but doing a 7 mile bike ride less than a month after having my stomach cut open- pretty good I think!

Recovery sucks.

So- Today is officially 2 weeks from surgery, which means I get to start "light cardio" today if I can tolerate it.  Recovery is not fun. Its not the pain, or the discomfort, cramping, or any of that stuff- its the not doing anything. I'm bored- and I hate it. I'm one of those people that is much happier when I am busy and have lots to do. So sitting around the house is KILLING me.
I've been keeping myself busy with crafts- although I dont think I'm very good at it. But it at least gives me something to do. I made some baby booties for a friend who just had twins- and someone suggested I sell them on ETSY.com- so I may do that.
The estrogen still sucks. Let me tell you- women have enough hormones naturally- getting an extra dose twice a day is just HORRIBLE. I cry at everything. The life alert commercial continually makes me bawl like a 12 year old girl!!! Its AWFUL (and slightly embarrassing). Im supposed to be on another 6 weeks of this medicine- so 8 weeks total- but my Doctor said if the side effects are still bothering me than we can cut it short. However, we still have not done a post-surgery ultrasound to see what kind of damage there is gonna be to my uterus- so.. when that happens that may change the treatment plan.
Seems like lately every time I turn around I'm hearing or seeing something related to people having kids or getting pregnant.  I think mostly its made me appreciate how much I want to have my own kids sometime, (and although I wouldnt choose it this way: if I want that it has to be sooner rather than later).  Last night when talking with a friend I got the same old, " Just freeze your eggs- then you can get pregnant later". I really wanted to be like "Eggs aren't the problem jackass- if you dont have a uterus YOU can't BE pregnant." But I just did what I always did and nod agreeably. I know it will work out- it always does- but the unknown is still crazy. Time to put on the big girl pants and accept that there are just some things that are out of my control.

I CAN WALK! (sorta)

Ok. Let's be honest here. No one, not even my mom, wants to talk about menopause. I'm 24 and I am essentially in menopause hell after a week on hormones. I'm not literally in menapause- but with all the hormones I get the same side effects, also similar to pregnancy, but I say more like menopause because Im not pregnant. Hello night sweats, hot flashes, headaches, chills, nausea, and what is with the weird taste I have after I eat ANYTHING! BlleeeEEEccKKK!!! Everything tastes like chemicals. Well guess that means I should be eating less right!?
Good news is: today I got the OK from my Dr. (who is amazing by the way) to walk! WOOO! WALKING!!!! I did 20 minutes to start on the treadmile and walked 1 mile. I felt like I was doing pretty good and then when I finished and saw. "Distance= 1.0 mile" and it was like hearing the "wrong answer" cue on the game shows.. Waaah-waaah-waah.  Bummer.

BUT! Its a start. And you gotta start somewhere right!? RIGHT.

So tomorrow I plan to walk again. Maybe this time for 25 minutes- or maybe do 20 minutes once in the morning and try again in the afternoon. Baby steps.

I'm also thinking about re-doing my blog and adding more stuff on here about fibroids- specific to women my age. Turns out there's not a lot out there information wise if  your young with fibroids. Hmm I may need some help with that.