It's been a while since I sat down and shared what was really going on behind the screen. So here's what's been going on in my life lately, along with an Autumnal outfit post;
SHOP MY AUTUMNAL OUTFIT POST
NEXT LEOPARD PRINT COAT
PRIMARK SNAKE PRINT BACKPACK
OLD NAVY LEGGINGS
DAISY LONDON x ESTEE LALONDE GODDESS MEDALLION SIGNET RING*
Sigmoidoscopy
Despite having both a colonscopy and endoscopy a few years back, I had another procedure last month known as a sigmoidoscopy. Seriously, I feel like I should have went into medicine, that's how much I've learnt because of my own body.
The whole day was pretty traumatic, to say the least. From having to administer an at home enema (yup, that happened!), to deciding not to be sedated for the procedure as it made me so drowsy last time, to then leaving the hospital doubled over in pain and crying, was not my ideal Sunday afternoon to be honest.
Basically and I'm about to get a bit TMI here, I was passing blood at least once a week when having a bowel movement. And whilst my gastroentorolgist was almost certain that nothing sinister was going on, he referred me for this test. I want to be as open as I can be when it comes to my health and IBS struggles. And if you ever experience anything you're not sure about, please let someone know. You're not wasting your doctor's time or being a nuisance. Sometimes just talking about what you're experiencing with someone else can make you feel a whole lot better.
The procedure itself
The procedure itself was more uncomfortable than painful and lasted less than ten minutes. This time, as I was fully conscious, I watched the camera whizz through my bowel. This was whilst experiencing more of what is without a doubt the worst symptom of my IBS; trapped wind. And what I mean by that is bubbling pockets of wind that trap themselves beneath your ribcage, all up one side or in an area that mimics the worst period cramps imaginable. I know people who've given birth naturally who would rather repeat that than have trapped wind.
The results came back totally normal which was both frustrating and a relief. It's bizarre to wish that they would find something to explain what's going on but thankfully it's nothing serious. I guess that's how IBS is, sadly.
Do you or anyone you know suffer from IBS or other gastro issues?
Hair loss
*featuring my beautiful new Daisy London ring*
For the past few years I've had boughts of significant hair loss. And whilst you might not notice it when you see me, sometimes it's all I can focus on. I've also noticed a lot of thinning around my hairline, which I definitely feel self conscious about.
It's a bit of a vicious cycle because if stress is causing it, seeing handfuls of hair come out in the shower or cover your floor in strands, only makes you worry more.
After another trip to the hospital this time to the dermatologist, she thinks it may have been stress induced combined with seborrheic dermatitis. I was given a medicated shampoo and been instructed to wait at least a full hair cycle, six months, before I go back again. I decided to be somewhat proactive, in my mind anyway and got my hair cut shorter last week. That way, hopefully I won't see as many long strands everywhere. It may have been a stressor or shock to my system six months ago that is causing this bought of it so we will see how that goes in the coming months.
Do you know any tips for preventing hair loss?
Freelance fretting
Now despite saying that I'm not really stressed, working freelance isn't the easiest. If you don't already know, I do freelance writing on the side, as well as my blog and some months can be great, work-wise. Whereas others, I make little to nothing. There's no guarantee how much I'll make each month and that can do a number on my mental health. Both when it comes to how I feel about myself and how I feel like I'm not doing enough.
It's got me thinking about my career aspirations more generally. I only really fell into blogging and writing after being signed off of work at my part time office job because my health was at rock bottom then. My dream would be to get a part time job doing something that I'm interested in, to guarantee a set amount of income each month. And then to blog and freelance on the side.
I just don't know what I really want to do. Other than writing, I feel like I need a new focus but what that is, I still don't know.
So there's what has been going on in my life lately, as well as an Autumnal outfit post.
Does anyone else feel like that? Or do you have any advice?
How have you been recently? And would you like to see more life updates or personal blog posts going forward?
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