Friday, March 27, 2015

Worldwide Endometriosis March and Awareness

Since my domain expired for my personal blog, So a Blonde Walks Into a Blog, in the interest of keeping things simple, I'm merging my new personal blog posts to TheBlondeBlogger.com so that everything can be found in one spot. So you'll not only get my opinions on various brands, events, etc., you'll also get more of me ( you get to decide if that's a good or bad thing, lol!)

I've always been told my life could be a reality television show, and if you know me well, you know how true that is! So hang on tight because this could be a bumpy ride! ;)

The most important thing in my life right now, aside from my faith, husband, our children, family and friends, is my health.


This month is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is the disease that's brought me to my knees. I have been in and out of the hospital with two botched surgeries over the past year. My adrenal and heart are now being affected by the stress this disease has caused my body. I suffer from co-morbid conditions such as fibromyalgia, hypertension, adrenal fatigue and insufficiency, CFS/ME, Interstitial Cystitis and more. The chronic pain and fatigue are the toughest to deal with and I am in bed 90% of the time now.

You will see me write a lot about this disease, but let me assure you, it's not an attempt to gain sympathy. It's not an attempt to merely whine and complain.

My goal is to help spread awareness, and to show my fellow EndoWarriors they are not alone (which is critical for having the strength to fight this battle).


If you find it sad, annoying, depressing, etc., be thankful that you get to walk away from it while those who are fighting endo have no escape.

Between pain, crippling fatigue, brain fog, mistreatment at the hands of those who are supposed to heal us, losing our dignity in ER's that accuse us of "drug seeking" when our pain is spiraling out of control, suicides committed by women who couldn't keep fighting the battle, marriages that have fallen apart due to the pressures living with endo places on a family, guilt, anxiety, depression, fear, hopelessness, financial devastation from medical bills, job loss, and more, it is everything a woman with endo can do just to get through each day.


But there is also hope, determination, strength, courage, faith, support, love, compassion, understanding, endurance, etc.

And THAT is what the Worldwide Endometriosis March is all about! This Saturday, March 28, in cities across the world, EndoSisters and their caregivers, loved ones and supporters, will be marching to help fight for change, awareness and a cure! Most of all a cure. Oh my how we desperately need and deserve a cure!

My husband and I will be "marching" (I will most likely be in my wheelchair, though I will try my best to walk as much of it as I can) at the DC march. Check out the list of cities hosting a march this year here, and if there is one near you, please join us! It's completely free and easy to do!

There is solidarity in numbers, and seeing the sea of people marching for our lives means more than words could ever express! And if you have anything yellow (our awareness color), please wear it!


If you can't attend the march, you can sign up here to be a virtual marcher. And you can stay tuned to my blog to follow along here as I document my own personal endometriosis journey.

Other great, informative resources can be found at:

~Endomarch.org - The official webpage for the 2015 march.

~The Center for Endometriosis Care- Informative site with information on the disease, proper "gold standard" treatments and more.

~EndoCenter.org

~Endometriosis.org

~LunaGraceBoutique.etsy.com -This is the store I opened to try to generate income for my family while 90% bedridden and disabled. My store focuses on awareness for all chronic illness and 10% of proceeds go to awareness charities.


YouTube has many informative testimonies from women with endo, but let me say this. No two cases are alike and we must be VERY careful not to pigeonhole women into neat and orderly categories based on others' experiences.

I say this as I myself was guilty of thinking in my 20's and 30's that all endo patients must feel the way I did. Suffering, but functioning.

It wasn't until my forties that I learned how wrong that was. I now have a very rare, aggressive form of the disease (stage IV) that causes me pain daily. And as I stated before, it has brought on other conditions that greatly affect my quality of life.

There are rare days that I get out of bed and push through the pain. But most others are spent in bed hoping for strength just to shower.

My husband's sketch of me in the midst of an endo flare.

Despite what this disease tries to steal from me, I still feel incredibly blessed. I have kind and supportive friends and family. Amazing kids. And a very loving and patient husband who has stayed by my side and loves me through it all without complaint! He makes me focus on and celebrate what I can do rather than beat myself up over what I cannot do.

Most of all, I have a Father in Heaven that loves me beyond description and I have absolute faith and trust in His plans for my life and in His own timing. I completely surrender my life into His hands and let Him lead me. He is my strength, my hope and my everlasting rock.


Faith, love and support are better than any medicine in my opinion. And I know that I personally will be so uplifted seeing all of those who march on Saturday for every EndoSister across the world!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who helps us to fight for a cure, whether by marching on Saturday, or simply by speaking up for awareness.

Together, we WILL find a cure and END Endo, once and for all!
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Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Montaigne Template from PipDig Review

Disclosure: I received a discount on the Montaigne template from Pipdig.co to facilitate this review. As always, opinions expressed on TheBlondeBlogger.com are never influenced by discounts or comp/free products and/or services.

 

Hello, dear readers! It's here! It's here! Thanks to the very talented designer Phil at PipDig.co, TheBlondeBlogger.com has a brand new look! How many of you guessed that the template would be the elegant and feminine "Montaigne?" It was a hard choice as there are so many fabulous designs to choose from at Pipdig!

From designs like "Culture Shock:"



To "Style and Light," which I was very close to choosing!





You're sure to find one that fits your site's style and taste! Pipdig offers premade templates for both Blogger and Wordpress as well as custom and semi-custom designs for those who want an exclusive look.

The customer service at PipDig is superb as well. Phil was so great to work with, from installing the template for me, to helping me tweak little touches here and there until it was exactly how I wanted the site to look. If you're a blogger, I highly recommend checking out Pipdig! Ask for Phil, and tell him that The Blonde Blogger sent you! ;)


I wanted all of my fabulous readers to have a beautiful place to visit when coming here, so I hope I've opened the door into a charming and exquisite world for you! I have some really exciting and fun reviews and giveaways planned, so stay tuned!

In fact, a couple of my giveaways involve two celebrities...both in reality television. One has a love/hate relationship with the public and the other is brand new to the Real Housewives franchise. I can't wait to share both of their products that I have come to love with you!

Thanks again for being such loyal readers and friends! I truly adore each and every one of you!



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Tuesday, March 3, 2015

The Blonde Blogger Relaunch

Disclosure: I received a discount on a designer blog template from PipDig in order to facilitate an upcoming review. As with all of my posts, my opinions are never influenced by discounted or comp products and services. 

Due to ongoing health issues, I have had to take a respite from blogging but no matter how long I stay away, I can never leave for good. Writing is in my blood and I've been a blogger long before blogging was cool! ;) So I will always make a comeback, no matter what life throws at me!

I already have some fun reviews and giveaways planned for my awesome readers, so stay tuned! I truly appreciate your patience and for sticking by me and I plan to show it with amazing content for you!

And I don't know about you, but I'm kind of tired of looking at this old design. I think it's time for something new, don't you? What better way to celebrate a relaunch than with a new look?



I've enlisted the help of an amazing designer by the name of Phil at PipDig.co to help create a pretty place for you all to visit when you stop by here. Another way for me to thank you for your loyalty!

Phil will be installing the new look soon, but until then, stop on over at PipDig.co and see if you can guess which Blogger template I chose for TheBlondeBlogger.com! Hint: It's simple and minimalist with a touch of my personality thrown in.

See you back here with my brand new look very soon!
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