lipedemagirl

[lipedemagirl]

This was pretty rough, yet amazing to see. This is what is it like, inside a Lipedema leg. The red is broke capillaries. I stared at this so long, man. But, it makes a lot of sense, why my legs feel the way they do.

[lipedemagirl]

How to repair myself 101.

I have spent the majority of the summer sick. I just cannot seem to build my strength back up before something else happens. This time, it came very close to knockin' on heaven's door (as my colon almost ruptured, and I was thisclose to my kidneys shutting down). There is something about having a small brush with death - it reminds you "you're alive".

So, I'm going to be doing a few things to build my strength back up. My resistance. I am stronger than all this crap.

- I'm going to get more sleep. I have always had trouble sleeping. I LOVE sleep, but I overthink. I've always been more of a night person. Luckily, working a 2nd shift job can give me the freedom to adjust my sleep pattern. Staying asleep is a problem, but I'm going to drink less caffeine & work on this in the coming weeks.

- I have started back on my vitamins (including Vitamin C) & started out with a 10 Billion Probiotic. I like probiotics, but have never taken one steady. This is changing. I do not want C-Diff again, and I'm aware I have a higher chance of getting it again now.

- I'm going to listen to my body more. I am 35. I know my body. But, sometimes, I ignore symptoms of bigger issues, associating it with something else.  This changes now.  (While starting on Paxil might 'give me an upset stomach at first', two solid weeks of an upset stomach is a serious problem, Tamela.)

- I'm going to try to drink a smoothie, at least every other day.  If I have to start juicing again, so be it.  

- I'm going to start exercising again.  This is going to be slow & steady, because my legs are very very weak due to being ill so much in the past weeks.  I know that Bitzy will be excited for our Stop Sign Walks again.

- I'm going to drink more water.  Water.  Water.  Water.  Water & Gatorade.  I love water with lemon, time to start that back, constantly.  

- I'm going to wash my hands, ALL the DAMN TIME.  I have always been a pretty sanitary person (growing up with a mother who worked in food service, I was taught the fundamentals of proper hand washing).  But this goes beyond.  I'm going to scrub my hands while saying the alphabet - every single time.  So what if I dry my hands out? They make lotion for that.

- I'm going to laugh more.  

- I'm going to walk away from stressful situations & do yoga exercises to clear my head.

- I'm going to spend more time in silence.

- I'm not going to watch the news as often.

- I'm going to consume even less salt, than the small amount I've been consuming.  Yes, I fight with a salt addiction, which is horrible for someone with an inflammation disorder.  More spice, less salt, Tamela. 

Slow & steady wins the race.  And this race I'm gonna win.

[lipedemagirl]

I Like Me. AKA The Worst Summer.

I have had one of the worst summers I can recall.  Especially health wise.  Since May, I have battled a UTI, an abscessed tooth, a skunk spraying my roommates' dog (who, in turn, covered my bed, clothing, room & body in the stench of death), I then dealt with pink eye, fought a losing battle with constant diarrhea & upset stomach, and just recently, I was released from the hospital because I was diagnosed with C.Diff.  

To say this has been the "Summer from Hell" would not be much of a long shot for me.

When I'm sick, my darkness has a habit of consuming me.  I have fought depression since I was 16.  I am very aware that my borderline bipolar will kick in.  It's like the devil knows when I'm weak & will attempt to take over my mind & body.  I can usually keep it at bay.  I have friends & family.  I have AMAZING friends & family.  They usually pull me from my funk, and I brush off the evil by staring it in the face & saying "Do you know who I am?"

So, since THIS is my outlet, I want to point out a few things that make me great.  It sounds selfish, but everyone is selfish.  I am better than the funk I have fallen into.  

- I like to eat fried potatoes (french fries, tater tots, etc) with barbeque sauce and do not enjoy ketchup like many do.  I also do not like mayonnaise, at all.  But, I loooove dips.

- I have amazing taste in music.  It is a broad spectrum from Sinatra to Rob Zombie.  I will listen to anything you place in front of me.  

- I enjoy scary movies.  I will watch anything that is meant to frighten.  

- Speaking of movies, I also love movie classics.  One of the items on my bucket list is to see every single movie listed on the AFI Top 100.  Last time I checked, I think I was in the 60's.

- I am a good friend.  When I love, I love deep.  And I love regardless if we agree politically.  I do not drop friends.  I respect them.

- I'm a learner.  If you challenge me by giving me a subject to study, I will learn as much about it as I can.    

- I am a home body.  I'd just...rather be at home.  I'm good for a night out, but would rather be cuddled up in my pjs watching a movie at home.

- I will talk so much shit when it comes to playing a sport and/or game.  I usually suck.  But, I will talk myself up like I'm the best in the world.  

- I am fond of eye make-up.  Mascara, eye shadow, eye liner, etc.  I love eye make-up, even though I do not wear it daily.

- I love spicy foods (which, of course, I cannot have right now).  Red pepper, jalapenos, gimme gimme.  I love the kick.

- I can have fun with no matter what I'm doing.  I make people comfortable to be around me.  I am warm.

- I like reading about celebrity deaths.  Yes, I am a bit morbid.

- I am more of a dog person than cat.  Cats are cool, but I like dogs more.

-  I have two tattoos, and would like to get two more.

[lipedemagirl]

#lifelesson #life #battle #warrior #depression #survivor #everyday #quote #quotes

[lipedemagirl]

Got this @SinfulColors nail polish free to try from @Influenster - love it! You can find the different colors at @Walgreens #SinfulColors #contest

[lipedemagirl]

Got a free coupon to try #JambaJuice #smoothies from #influenster man, this stuff is good… #SurfsUpVoxBox

[lipedemagirl]

#me #perks #dating

[lipedemagirl]

My hair has always been full and very thick. I used to be tender headed as a child, but that changed as I grew up. Now that I'm growing it out, I'm reliving the tangled mess it is - especially out of the shower. Even the hardest of us 'hard heads' can be brought to tears with certain tangles. Until I got this brush. This brush is a godsend! No pain! No fuss! No tears! If you, or your child deal with thick tangled messes - I recommend grabbing a Michael Mercier Detangling Brush. Whatever it is, that is different about it, I approve! Just saying. #MichaelMercier #brush #tangles #hair

[lipedemagirl]

Birthday girl! #birthday2014

[lipedemagirl]

Five minutes on my Facebook feed brings up multiple conversations about the recent misogynistic hate crime here in the U.S. Almost every one of those conversations gets derailed by comments like:

“I’m just playing devil’s advocate, but…”

“One man did this, not MEN. You can’t lump...

[lipedemagirl]

Usually, my legs are just an 'ache'.  I find myself lucky, that only during 'that time of the month' is when my legs actually hurt to the point of disablement. 

Unfortunately, I have not been that lucky this month.  

First off, lemme back up some...

At work (beginning April 8th), I was sitting in a chair that was not the best - it did not adjust; and for a six feet tall woman, it was practically on the ground.  It started to really hurt my body.  Lord knows the effort standing up is for me with my heavy ass legs - - sitting on the GROUND? Are you kidding me?! I, then, got sick with strep throat.  Once I was able to return to work, a friend provided me with a chair, that sits higher ("tall people chair", as I call it) - but the bad chair had taken it's toll - I could barely walk, it was disabling.  Limping, stumbling, and just...struggling in general.

But, it got better with the arrival of my new chair.  Getting up & down was easier, and I slowly started to recover - when...around May 5th - I stood up from my desk and something...popped.  

It was my knee.  And it was LOUD.  Everyone around heard it.  And, since that pop...I have lived in constant chronic pain.  

Chronic pain is one thing.  Awaking, always knowing you're going to hurt in some way - but CONSTANT chronic pain? That is a different beast all together! Not only are you gonna hurt, but you're gonna hurt BAD and all over.  It got to where I was laying in bed, thinking 'will I be able to lift my leg today?'  That is a scary feeling.  I have no insurance, and did not get my job until after the deadline for ObamaCare this year.  And this....is rough, man.  

The best way I can describe it, for someone who has no idea, is this scenario:

Imagine you have just run The Boston Marathon - which is around 30 miles.  And you did it with a 'run, walk, run, walk' method.  Okay, so, you've ran it.  You're physically healthy! You pushed through! You're good! You're proud! Good job! ....aaaaand it's the next morning.

That ache? The soreness? The inability to move without stiffness or pain that your imaginary self is now relating to? THAT is the way I feel 95% of the time now.  

It is miserable.  And it is exhausting.  Gosh, I'm SO tired...

I also have a small bunion on my left foot, caused by my compression.  Which, doesn't help things at all.  Just adds to my pain, actually.  I'm hoping to be able to afford new shoes for my birthday.    

I'm going to the doctor tuesday.  But, I already know, powering through is about all I can do & cross my fingers that it calms down.   

Lemme just say, the people who live in constant chronic pain - full time, 24/7 - I have a newfound respect for them.  

I want to walk.  I need to walk.  But, right now...walking is a struggle.  A tiring & exhausting one, for sure.  

[lipedemagirl]

I absolutely LOVE my #MKGlam #VoxBox from #influenster

[lipedemagirl]

My very own #AntiInflammatory #lunch with homemade dressing. Mm.. So good, almost didn't make it til tomorrow! #grilledchicken #cucumbers #strawberries #onion #greenpepper #tomato #garliclemondressing #lipedema #lipoedema #lymphedema

[lipedemagirl]

Hi, I'm Tamela and I'm a recovering salt addict.  

Most people would joke about this, however, having Lipedema; I need to be careful with my sodium intake.  The more salt I eat, the worse my swelling will be.  

The salt I choose to eat with at home is Celtic Sea Salt.  I purchased it on amazon and yes, it's expensive.  Early last year, I purchased the grinder version (which is refillable), and it has really calmed my pain.  The pain will never fully go AWAY...but, I do not hurt as intense after I eat when I use this.  I put it in all the recipes that call for salt, or grind a bit on my food.  One of the best things is the fact that it is a coarse salt, so a little goes a long way.  Defiantly worth the price.  

[lipedemagirl]

[lipedemagirl]

#Julep #badcustomerservice #postedtoFacebookTwitterInstagramTumblr #wtf #noanswer #allthisovernailpolish #boxisunopened

[lipedemagirl]

Rose Red Tea.

I received samples of Rose Red Tea from #influenster a few days ago.  And I'm in LOVE with the Creme Caramel, it's very smooth and not too rich in the caramel, so you're not suffocated with sweetness.  It's the perfect tea for curling up with a good book on a rainy day.  It is really great! I can't wait to try a full size box..