Blogathon starts tomorrow. 6am tomorrow! While you can still pledge up to 48 hours after the end (I think) I’d love to know what I’m blogging for! Can you find it in your heart to donate just a little? We’re up to $75 going to Fisher House. We can do better than that! Click here to see how you can help make a difference.
Please Resubscribe This Feed
So – I’ve been fixing stuff around here, and looked at my feed stats.
Well… I don’t do it very often. I’m not a big stats person. But I did notice that my subscribers went down. WAY WAY WAY down. I didn’t post anything particularly hate-worthy at the time, so I figured it was a mistake somewhere, somehow. I have fixed it. So, if you would be so kind as to resubscribe at my new, correct feed, I’d REALLY appreciate it.
Juggling
Poe might maybe potentially have a job. We’ll see. This is good. I’ve got to get him out of this house.
The kids are doing well. They’re taking swimming lessons at the local Y, because they just didn’t want to listen to us when we’re in a pool – too much going on. But now, they’re getting good basics, so I’m happy.
Another brief mention on Joseph. We’ve started him on medication. It was a long time coming, and we finally came to the conclusion that the benefits finally seriously outweighed the risks. That’s all I’ll say on that – I don’t feel comfortable mentioning which one here (that’s a first!) but so far, we’re pleased. He had the opportunity to make seriously wrong choices, and for the first time, he didn’t.
Saturday is coming fast. I’m wondering if I should create some kind of theme for the Blogathon? I don’t know. I haven’t got much in the way of pledges. A flat $55. But that’s more than Fisher House would have had, right? I’m hoping to garner more interest, but it’s hard since BlogHer is happening at the same time, and everyone’s interested in that instead.
Dear AOL, I Am Not a Freak
*Note: Some graphic biological information ahead. And another note? I’m ticked and therefore ramble.*
Dear AOL,
I was reading what passes for your headlines today and saw your article, “Dual-Womb Mother Shocks Doctors.” I had to click. Because I have Uterine Didelphys.
Thanks a lot, AOL. You have made me look like a freak. No, I’m not the new mom from the article. I’m one of the thousands (millions?) with this “condition.” It’s a birth defect. And it’s not as uncommon as you may think.
Yes, I have two uteruses/uteri. Yes I have two cervices/cervixes. I get to have double the pap smears! Had to have a septum between the cervices removed to end pain for both myself and my husband during “relations.” I also get to have double the hormones, double the blood, double the PMS. (Don’t you want to be in my husband’s shoes now?) I’ve been hospitalized for loss of blood during a normal plain old period. Oh – and I have two children that I gave natural vaginal birth to.
It’s not as uncommon as you think. I have even run into doctors who have seen it before me. Sometimes. But you see, there are no doctors who specialize in it, and no one wants to study it. Here’s what I know about it from my various doctors visits over the years, as I’m now 34, and have known about it since I was 17.
Yes, there is some risk in pregnancy because sometimes the uteri are smaller. Not the “shocking” thing you make it out to be. And yes, you can have more than one pregnancy. I’m proof. Your hormones can also be out of wack. You can also have abnormalities in your kidneys so you need them to have an ultrasound to be sure. You also get the added benefit of potential cysts on your kidneys and/or uteri (Yep – I have several.)
And maybe if the medical community decided to study it, you’d have some more information. But they’re not interested. Instead, my crotch is a revolving door when I go to a new doctor because they’re so fascinated.
That’s right – I just said I have a fascinating cootch.
Want to know how that turns out? In labor with my first, I punched a nurse in the face and kicked a doctor in the face. Why? I had 5 doctors fascinated with my COMPLETELY NORMAL birth. Thanks for all those eyes up my privates at my most painful and most vulnerable. You know, ’cause I’m just a freak.
Let’s go over the article.
Dual-Womb Mother Shocks Doctors
So, we know they’re not very well-read.
A woman with two wombs gave birth to a healthy baby despite warnings that the chances were unlikely.
You’re not a freak, you just need to be monitored.
…was born through Caesarean
section
Obviously, I don’t know the mom’s actual medical information and personal case. However, if it was JUST because of the Uterine Didelphys in an effort to “save the freak” it was a totally unnecessary medical procedure with it’s own risks. Just ask my vaginally delivered children.
…who has two sets of reproductive systems, surprises doctors and the medical world by giving birth to a healthy baby girl
Really? The medical world? Shoot – I could have been rich 9 years ago.
Doctors told her the rare condition would leave her with only a 50 percent chance of having a normal pregnancy.
Really? According to what? The medical community hasn’t studied it enough to have any numbers.
Physicians told her that although Mirela is healthy, she is likely to be the her only child.
How irresponsible!! Doom and gloom, seriously. Oh and again? I’m proof. And if we wanted more children, my body could indeed go again.
Look. That child IS a miracle. As ALL children are. And yes, I’m very glad that the mom found out about her uterine didelphys, because to be responsible about her body she’ll need extra paps, and her kidneys checked out, and that’s extremely important.
But as a “normal” mom with an “abnormal defect” in her body – I couldn’t help but feel like a total freak after reading this article.
So, thanks AOL! If nothing else, you gave me an excuse to get on my soapbox. I have been contacted by several people over the years. I once wrote a freelance article as a Layman’s Guide to Uterine Didelphys when I couldn’t find any information. And women with this condition still track me down to talk about it – even desperate enough to track down my home phone number (I talked to that mom worried that her daughter was going to DIE for an hour,) because the “medical world” can’t be bothered. You know what? That parts ok. I’m happy to help them understand that they’re going to be FINE.
Sincerely,
Michele Wilcox
P.S. – That new mom needs new doctors.
What I Am Doing Instead of BlogHer
I was really disappointed when I realized I couldn’t attend BlogHer this year. I have a business to network about, a blog to network about, things to learn, and friends to drink with see. And when Poe first lost his job (5 months and counting ago,) I thought, “Hey! I can still use our tax refund money to get myself to Chicago!” And then we needed to use that money to live off of, and I realized it’s just not going to be part of my reality this year. And I’m feeling rather… mature about it. If you consider stamping my foot mature. I decided I needed to actually do something instead of being bitter.
Enter… The Blogathon! I did the Blogathon three years ago. It was a good experience. Rough – but good. I decided to do it again. And I’m going to need your help.
Blogathon is just like the other ‘thons you may have done in school, where you got sponsored so much money per lap/pin etc. On July 25th, I’m going to be blogging every half hour for 24 hours – 6am-6am Pacific. Just think about that for a moment. Having to come up with 48 separate blog posts within 24 hours. It’s a challenge. I’m up to it.
So what? Why? Blogathon participants are blogging for charity. People pledge to sponsor them for the Blogger’s chosen charity. They either pledge for each post the blogger does (watch out, though – remember 48 posts are anticipated!) or just pledge a set amount. How it works is – you sign up to pledge, and after the ‘thon’s over, Blogathon tells you how the blogger did, and what they “owe” to the blogger’s charity. You’re then given a link to the chosen charity’s donation page. The Blogathon folks, and the blogging folks, never see your money, because you’re giving it straight to the charity.
I picked the same one I picked 3 years ago, Fisher House. Imagine your loved one is in the service. They sustain an illness or injury, and they’re in a base medical facility. Civilian family and friends (including spouses) are pretty much on their own to get there and visit and stay and be supportive through their treatment, surgeries, therapies. Fisher House provides no cost housing and support to those family members while their enlisted family member (husband? Sister? Mom?) gets their medical attention, and then they don’t have to worry about hotels, or hotel costs. It’s a temporary housing facility for these families.
My husband is a former Marine. He was out before I met him. But I’ve imagined that was not the case. I’ve attempted to put myself in the shoes of these families. It wasn’t pretty.
I’m asking you to pledge your support. $1 a post? $5 flat pledge? Whatever you can give. I don’t have any money to give in our current circumstances. I used to both be a blogger AND a pledger, and I’m not able to do that this year. But I can give my time! And so I am. I’m taking my angst and doing something with it. Will you please help me?
Here are some links to get you started:
Blogathon Main Page
My Blogathon Pledge Page -You do have to create an account with them. But don’t worry, this is run by long time bloggers who hate spam.
Fisher House Home Page
More about Fisher House
More About the Houses
And then follow along on July 25th! Maybe even spread the word AT BlogHer for me? You can pledge up to 48 hours after the event! And, maybe stop by? It’ll be mighty lonely around 4am on 7/26.
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