It Sucks Being A Girl....Sometimes!

Ahhhhh, the joys of womanhood!  Menstrual cycles, well woman exams, poking, prodding, probing, it's all fun and games until you have to face the dreaded day of meeting with your gyno!  Yup, I feel like I've been poked and prodded more than I can stand in these last few weeks.  Although I got the green light on all my test results, I still had the ultimate nightmare at the gyno today.  If childbirth is anything like this...I don't know if I'm ready for it!  LOL!!!  I was a little bit of a wussy, but I still took it all in like a champ.

I went to my followup appointment about my uterine fibroid condition.  My doctor wanted to give me a saline ultrasound to accurately locate the fibroids, check the size of them, and determine the next plan of action as to remove them or not.  I really didn't go in with any expectations.  I read that the procedure was simple and I'll experience a little discomfort, but nothing too bad.  Discomfort is an UNDERSTATEMENT!  I usually have a high tolerance for pain.  I got two tattoos:  one my back and my wrist!  But this was not cool!

Basically, I undressed from the waist down.  Put my feet in the stirrups (yea, that's sexy) and the doctor placed a speculum inside my vajayjay to open up my cervix and uterus.  Then she inserted a catheter into my uterus, which really wasn't too bad.  I felt a little cramping, but nothing I couldn't handle.  The discomfort came when she poured saline into my uterus.  The saline liquid was supposed to open up my uterus or make it contract for a better view of the fibroids.  The contractions felt like mild to moderate menstrual cramps.  I just closed my eyes and took long deep breaths through it.  Unfortunately, the saline kept leaking out of my uterus so she had to reposition the catheter a couple times to get it right -- which led to more cramping!  Ugh!!!!  It was horrible!  When it was over, I sitting in the biggest wet spot of saline and bodily fluids.  I know!  Gross, huh? But hey, it what it is.  But that wasn't the worst part of it.

Next up, biopsy!  She needed to do a endometrial biopsy to check the cells for any traces of cancer or other abnormalities.  Again, I didn't know what to expect with it, but she said it would feel similar to the catheter, but just a few pinches.  I would feel some discomfort.  So she inserts the speculum, swabs, all that jazz, and she tells the nurse "biopsy"!  Mind you, I'm nervous and EXTRA tense!  She kept telling me to relax my legs and open up, but I just couldn't get it together.  I don't know what kinda tool she used, because I knew she was trying to get it over with.  It just looked like a large metal thingy.  Hell, I can't tell you what it looked like!  Cool, calm and collected, I'm lying there feeling this pressure and then this massive cramping, and all of a sudden I must've jumped out of my skin for the mere 10 seconds she was probing my uterus!  It was like a 10 quick shots to my insides and when I tell you that sh*t hurt like HELL!!!  Imagine, for those of you with tattoos, the artist poking your uterus for 10 seconds with a tattoo needle!  Yea, that's how that felt!  OMG!!!!  It was longest countdown of my mutha-loving life!  I keel over just thinking about it.  Next thing I know, it was over.

Afterwards, all I could do was lie there, holding my belly, unable to move for about 10 minutes.  I never felt anything like it.  It  felt like severe cramps or labor contractions.  The kind that have you bent over ready to throw up or lying on the bathroom floor in the fetal position sobbing like a baby! Suprisingly, I didn't cry or cuss out my doctor through the procedure.  I was very tense, but I stayed calm thru it all, wincing in pain.  I pray this will be the first and last time I ever have to go through this.  The whole procedure took about 20 -25 minutes.  If you ever have to go through an endometrial biopsy, make sure you take an ibuprofen BEFORE your procedure.  I made the mistake of not taking anything until afterwards.  Within about an hour of taking some pain reliever, I felt better.  The cramps dissipated and I was back to normal.  You'll want to take the rest of your day to relax.  Also, expect spotting or bleeding a few days after your biospy.  It's perfectly normal to bleed for about a week.  However, if you notice anything unusual, such as, heavier than normal bleeding, odor, or abdominal pain contact your doctor immediately. 

There you have it!  FunkyHairChic's Misadventures At The Gyno!  I had to share this, because I'm sure someone is either facing or has faced this before.  I just wanted to give you my take on it.  Never again, Lord!  Never again!  I pray all comes back clean as a whistle!  Lord knows, something good has to come out of all of that!  LOL!  Whew....

Finding My Styling Niche!

I don't know about most of you, but I feel like I'm the most style challenged when it comes to creativity with protective styling.  I watch tons of YT videos, and those ladies make everything look like a piece of cake.  Meanwhile, I struggle with the most easy to follow styles.  So I just kinda tweak it towards my own liking, but the original creator's always looks so much better than mine!  LOL!  It can get frustrating, but I'm sure they also experienced some frustrations as they were practicing or perfecting their styles.  It all comes down to the old adage, "Practice Makes Perfect!"

Anywho, I'm trying to narrow my styling down to one per week, and I'm trying to get away from bunning my hair so much.

Today, I wanted something simple and no fuss that wasn't a bun.  I went with Grecian Twists!

I parted my hair straight down the middle and did two large flat twists down each section.  My hair was not stretched enough, so it was a struggle trying to gather all my hair into one twist.  Then I pinned the two flat twists in the back and tucked my ends under.  It's not the cleanest twist, but it's looks aight!

Not bad, huh?  I guess I'll perfect it with more stretched hair.  My hair is so dense.  Pardon the crooked part.  Like I said it was rushed!  LOL!

Protect Ya Ends: Week 2

Hey Dolls!

Week 2 and so far so good.  Week one, I was a little indecisive with how to style my hair so I had quite a few change ups.  I finally settled on the easy no fuss bun to get me through my week and weekend.  Today, I'm sporting another textured bun.  I know that bunning can't be my end all be all to protective styling, because too much of a good thing is not always good.  My edges may take a beating if done too frequently, so I'll be easing up on the bunning starting week 3.  I'll be going back to the tried and true twisted pinups.  By the end of the month, I'll be getting a more long term style (baby twists) to hold me over for about six weeks.  This will help me get through the first quarter of this challenge.  Stay tuned for that.

On another note, I did a length check this weekend.  The first one I've done since late August.  After 4 months, my hair grew a little.  I'm now about 1.5" from the top of my bra strap in the back.  I'm sooooo close!  My hair was more stretched in my August pic.  The January pic is not stretched at all.  I use my tattoo as my guide.  I'm sure by the end of this first quarter I'll be grazing my bra strap indefinitely!  *crossing fingers* Just when I thought my hair wasn't growing...it surprises me, yet again!  Check out my length comparison from August to now!  This is more motivation to see this challenge through even more!  My next length check will be in April.  Here's to another 3" of growth! Here's hoping!

Protect, protect, protect is the theme for 2012!  BSL: Mission in progress!

Today's Hair!

I'll be posting some of a favorite hairstyles here.  Since I'm protective styling, I'm not that creative with my hair.  I typically stick with twisted pinups, tuck and rolls, or buns.  But sometimes, I'll be so proud of a style that seems so simple and want to post it.  So here is today's bun!

This is a textured bun.  Sorry the lighting isn't that great, but I love how this came out.  My ends were rolled and tucked under and pinned down.  I just overlapped each piece to add more texture and fullness and VOILA!  This is an elegant, casual or formal style for any occasion.  It's also ideal for sweating out at the gym.  This is definitely a go to style when you want simplicity. :)

Get It Right, Get It Tight!

 Source:  Sweet Pototo Pie

I've been starting off 2012 hitting the ground running with my "Healthier Me"  challenge.  I've been seriously on the path to more fit life and so far, it's going great!  I joined this awesome network of fitness pals to help keep me motivated as we embrace a healthier lifestyle.  I must say, it feels good not to be in this thing alone.  My social circle keeps me encouraged, driven, and positive.  I love that, because we feed off each other's energies. You should check out MyFitnessPal and get hooked up with a network of people to cheer you on as you get fit.  There is an app for iPhone and Android or simply go to MyFitnessPal and get signed up!  It's an awesome tool!

I've set a few goals for myself for the next six months to improve health wise.  Like I stated in an earlier post, action is required to see desired results.  I need results. First thing I did was get a gym membership.  I didn't join just any gym, though.  I joined a small, family owned gym that is about 5000 square feet with every possible machine at my disposal.  I have the luxury of working out any time of the day or night and being the only one at the gym.  No waiting for a machine, or packed peak hours.  Ahhh, bliss!!!  I visit the gym 3x per week for an hour each visit.  I plan my workouts ahead, but cardio is always included in some way.  I love to run.  I'll jog for .75 miles straight, but I'm pushing myself to run a mile non-stop.  I'm not there yet, but I will by the end of January!  Watch me wuuuurkkk!

Here are is my 6-month Plan:

• Run a non-stop mile (30 days)
• Run a non-stop 5k by March or April (90 days)
• Lose about 2-3" in my waistline
• Tone, define and sculpt my arms, legs, abs and posterior 
• Lower and control my BP
• Lose about 5-8 lbs

Right now, I'm skating on 152 lbs.  I'm 5'4" with a very athletic/muscular build.  My bottom half is pretty solid.  My most problematic area is my belly.  I want to get that under control.  My current measurements are:
Bust: 34"
Waist:  29"
Hips/Butt:  40.5"

The average person would look at my stats and thing I'm crazy for wanting to lose weight or lose inches, but I know what works for me and the results I want to see. I'm not unhealthy, but there is definitely room for improvement.  I've been tracking my progess with a food diary on MyFitnessPal to monitor what I'm eating, calorie intake and calories burned from rigorous activity.  It's been helpful to watch my progress.  I haven't lost any weight yet, but I know if I stay consistent and make fitness a habit, I'll be well on my way.  Wish me luck!

Do You Have Any Fitness Goals? If so, dish!

Protect Ya Ends Challenge

End so it begins!  On January 1st, I made a commitment to wear protective styles for the next 90 days.  My curlfriends at Black Girl Long Hair forum have started posting their starting pics and measurements and we are hitting the ground running!  I plan to keep you updated on the challenge here by posting my regimen, styling options, pics, etc.  I hope my updates can serve as a resource for someone as theirs may serve as one for me.

As stated in a previous post, 2012 Natural Hair Challenge, my goal is retain up to 3" of growth every 3 months or an inch a month.  It's a pretty ambitious goal, but I believe it can be achieved through a strict hair and diet regimen.  My current regimen is simple.  Every other week or every 10 days I:

• Apply Greek yogurt recipe (Naptural85) prior to shampooing (rinse out); finger detangle in the shower
• Shampoo with Kinky Curly Come Clean or Mizani True Textures
• Condition with Suave Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner (rinse out); awesome slip and consistency!
• Final rinse with ACV (depends on how I feel)
• Apply leave-in -- Qhemet Cocoa Detangling Ghee; Coconut Oil to seal, and SM Deep Treatment Masque as styler
• Set my hair in flat twists, twists, braids, etc.

My hair has done very well with this regimen.  My hair remains moisturized for up 3-4 days without reapplying any product.  When PS, I normally take down the style at night and moisturize my ends and then restyle in the morning, if necessary.

It is now day 3 and I've been taking it one day at a time.  I have been in the gym a lot lately, so protective styling certainly is a plus for my sweaty hair.  Here are my styles so far:

Day 1:  Roll and Tuck

Day 2:
Twisted Updo:  I don't have a good photo from yesterday, but here is how they always look.

Day 3:  Cinnabun:   I'll likely be sticking to this for the next few days.  I don't like to pull my edges too much, but this is definitely the most convenient PS for me.

Three months is a long time, especially for a girl who looooves big, wild hair.  I'm just gonna have to get creative to keep from boredom.  In a couple of weeks, I'll be getting some baby twists put in to hold me down for another six weeks.  In the meantime, I'll be taking it one day, one PS at a time until then. :)  How are you ladies holding up?

Happy New Year!!!!

Hey Dolls!

We made it!  We made it to see another year and all I can say is THANK YOU, BABY JESUS!!!  I'm so happy to leave 2011 behind and move forward!  It's going to be an amazing year and I pray it as equally amazing for you all!  May this year bring you joy, peace, prosperity, and love!  Make this the year you set your goals into motion and go for GREATER!  Stop talking and start DOING!  Change those shoulda, coulda, wouldas, to I WILL, I CAN,  I MUST!  Change starts with you.  Get out there and make it happen, guys!