Weekend Challenges
My belly still swells but I've been taking less ibuprofen for it. I read a report about a study that found that long-term use of ibuprofen causes stomach and intestinal damage and I'm a little worried about that. So I've scaled back my use.
So, maybe every other day I have two in the evening.
The belly is big, but I fit into my regular clothes. In the evening after work I do often change into sweats, but mostly because I've always found them more comfortable.
This weekend my husband and I went out for a little beach bluff hiking. Deep, soft sand is a bit of a challenge and I'll admit that my belly hurt towards the evening. But I don't mind at all because it was a fabulous afternoon and I really wanted to go out to the beach.
Also, here's a little bit about sex.
First of all, I was always the kind of woman who was very wet when excited. I've never had a problem with enough lubrication in my life. And here's what's weird. In the first few months of recovery I didn't have a problem either. But slowly my personal moisture has gotten less and less.
Part of me is rather pleased with this. Let's face it, a little necking with the hubby in the kitchen or on the couch and I'd need fresh panties. That's not an issue any longer. I still get excited, but the reaction there is no longer an over-reaction.
Of course I'm worried that this means that I'm drying up completely. I don't think it's hormones, because my hormones are working in every other sense. I get all the symptoms I used to get for my cycles except for the heavy bleeding part.
Ovulation: heightened sense of smell, cervical mucous, general increase in energy and good skin tone.
PMS: cystic acne behind the ears, breakouts on the chin and neck, tender breasts, chocolate cravings.
Period: spotting/bleeding, lower back ache, stiff fingers (arthritis?).
I've been charting it all and it's just as it was before the hysterectomy so I can't imagine that it's a hormonal thing. My guess is more that it's a blood supply thing or maybe a nerve damage thing.
Mind you, I don't by any means call this a sexual dysfunction. I'm guessing this may also be a natural progression, part of getting older. Also, I was treated for a vaginal infection (bacterial and yeast) and since that coincides with my decrease in vaginal moisture, I wonder if that has anything to do with it. My orgasms are virtually identical to what they were like before surgery. I no longer have uterine contractions, and I no longer have that bulging feeling of the fibroids as the uterus contracted and pushed it all into my bladder.
Posted by Elizabeth M. on January 24, 2005 11:01 AM
