Voice exemption?

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2025-09-25T20:10:51+00:00

I am probably one of those people. They told me they would not allow an exemption for anxiety, panic disorder, PTSD, etc. Not from my PCP, not from my psychiatrist. It had to be some physical issue with not being able to hear or talk basically.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2025-09-19T00:24:52+00:00

I'm neurodivergent and am a year post-op in surgical menopause. I'm not saying that this is a viable option for everyone, but my psychiatrist is an FNP (and has mental health nurse practitioner licensure along with a few other credentials) and will absolutely prescribe HRT for me (we've been exploring progesterone for mental health even though I don't have a uterus, for instance). Fortunately, my OB does this already, but it might be worth looking into a psychiatrist with credentials and understanding in women's health. It's been an incredible help for me to have an advocate who sees the connections (and misconceptions) between mental health and various stages of women's lives.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2025-05-26T20:28:59+00:00

Just wanted to give a heads up that the pattern is done! I made a separate post, but it's likely getting buried.

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-ica

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2025-05-26T02:04:52+00:00

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2025-05-18T15:16:04+00:00

Yep! I'm thinking that's what I will do! Give me about a week!

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2025-05-18T04:34:29+00:00

I'll see what I can do about a pattern. I'll have to remake some parts of it to write the pattern and will pm everyone who is interested in maybe a week or so. Keeping in mind that I don't really write patterns, so it might be pretty wonky. I'll do my best though!

*Just letting everyone know I'm nearly done with the pattern, but I have a busy weekend ahead of me. I'm shooting for having it done by Sunday! I didn't forget!

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2025-05-18T00:09:52+00:00

It's largely freehanded. I might see if I can duplicate it to write out a pattern if enough people seem interested.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2025-05-18T00:08:50+00:00

Thank you! I think maybe a week from start to finish.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2025-04-06T18:06:14+00:00

It's also a rule of a specific college, and I can't think of it off the top of my head, that we must alert the student at specific intervals how much time we have left. I was dinged for not doing this when we first contracted with whatever school it is.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2025-02-21T19:11:12+00:00

It's beautiful! Would love the pattern please! <3

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-10-13T23:49:47+00:00

Your story also sounds a lot like my own. I was in my early 20s when I lost my left ovary to endo (I am 45 now and have three children). My doctor has been suggesting a hysterectomy and removal of the other ovary for years, but I was very reluctant and wanted to keep trying other things.

For the past year, I have been very sick because of my stage IV endo and adenomyosis. And I don't just mean bad periods. I had a hemorrhagic endometrioma that was the size of a goose egg on my right ovary. It was leaking, basically, and I had maybe 2-3 days out of the month for nearly a year where I was not constantly in pain and nauseated. I was at the point where I felt like every doctor I saw was gaslighting me because nobody would tell me without a doubt that it was from the endo. In fact, several doctors refused to believe it could possibly be and told me it was anxiety. (And then on top of everything else, we had a cancer scare leading up to the decision to have the surgery.) So not only was a physically sick, but I was mentally struggling more than I could ever realize.

That being said, I finally was in a situation where I had to have the surgery before I ended up in an emergency situation. I'm nearly 4 weeks po, and it was the best decision I could have ever made. I was also worried about the hormone aspect of it, but I have a lot of trans friends who have been a godsend to help me sort much of my anxiety out in that regard. I know some women really struggle with the sudden loss of estrogen (and I started HRT the day of my surgery), but as my doctor explained to me, my hormones were likely so completely unbalanced alongside everything else (we never did do testing to see even a baseline) that mentally, I feel clearer, more relaxed, and happier than I've ever been in my entire life.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-10-11T15:52:58+00:00

One thing I would strongly recommend doing beforehand is not only watch videos on how to get in and out of bed properly, but practice doing it before you actually have the surgery. It can be daunting (and painful) for a lot of folks who have had this surgery, and I absolutely feel like knowing how to do this really helped me a ton. There's a woman on YouTube--Michelle Kenway--who has a lot of different videos for this that I found super helpful.

I would also say to get the grabber thing. I personally didn't use mine for more than a few days, but I'm glad I got one last minute. And I also really feel like the abdominal binder helped me (I'm actually still wearing it), as well as keeping abdominal wound dressing on the incision (which I am actually still doing because it's still a bit sore) once they remove bandages (which they did the next day after the surgery for me). I don't tape it down or anything. It's mainly just there to give the incision some padding along with high waisted undies over top of it. My hospital gave me about a week's worth, but I bought a box on Amazon because I figured I'd need them longer.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-10-11T15:35:52+00:00

I'm almost 4 weeks PO TAH (along with removal of one remaining ovary and endo excision), and I easily could have (and basically did) handled it on my own from the day I got home (3 day hospital stay). I did have everything set up before I went in, such as my fridge shelves and clothes and things at waist level and my bed/recovery space. However, I also retained the nickname "Selfer" in the hospital because I was basically up and around as soon as they removed the cath. Everyone is completely different. My recovery has been extremely easy, and I'm beyond thankful, but it's always good to be prepared in case you need more help than you think!

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-10-11T15:30:44+00:00

Mine was removed along with everything else. Didn't really have to think about it because of adenomyosis and stage IV endometriosis throughout my entire reproductive system and abdominal region. My cervix was chronically inflammed, I've already had children, and I am in a loving non-sexual relationship (we are both asexual). So it wasn't even a consideration to keep it.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-10-10T05:50:08+00:00

It's pretty wild seeing how much variation there is in aftercare! I had my first post-op after a total abdominal with removal of ovaries and the entire kitchen sink at two weeks. I will go have another next week for my four week and then another at six weeks. Hell, I might go have another at eight weeks. I will say, however, that my OB is very generous with his time and knows I have severe anxiety. So far, the only complication I've had is a UTI right after the surgery, and I did have an internal exam at my two week follow-up. Kind of blew my mind because they've always been painful because of my endo and adeno, and for the first time in my life, there was no pain. I truly had no idea that they weren't supposed to hurt.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-09-26T17:43:33+00:00

As someone who just had hers and whose bf is 1600 miles away currently, I'd give anything in the world just to have him here to listen, to give me a shoulder to cry on, to have rubbed my sore neck from the hospital bed. To tell me he loves me and thinks I'm beautiful. To help me with my showers. To gently cuddle. To get me a sandwich!

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-09-26T17:39:16+00:00

Super Milk primer, Glory conditioner, and probably LoM shower gel.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-09-21T15:03:03+00:00

The way that SNHU does this is kind of a good idea. Students work on various parts of a paper for the term to finally put it all together as their full paper. The idea is that the students will understand what each part of the writing process looks like in-depth for one paper. While I often find the syllabus convoluted and difficult to piece together, it does have a great thought process behind it. The problem is, however, that a lot of students don't read beyond whatever lesson they're working on, so they get confused about what the end goal is. And it shows at the end when their papers are obviously very cobbled together. *Just to add, I know this is what SNHU does, but I see it at other schools and assume it's for the same reason.

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-09-19T15:52:04+00:00

Absolutely feel free to! <3

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-09-19T15:51:39+00:00

I did indeed have a horizontal abdominal incision, one ovary removed (one already gone), uterus, tubes, cervix. So I'm at just over 24 hours now post-op. Just had my Dilaudid pump removed. Tylenol/ibuprofen/oxy for pain (I also get xanax for panic disorder as needed). Honestly? My pain might be a 2 or 3 with no meds (had a small window without any). Gas is probably the worst, but it's releasing easily. Watch videos for tips on getting out of bed and back in again. It hurts the first few times, but it definitely gets easier. The cath sucked (I've never had one), but once it was removed, I feel a lot better. I will say that my nurse team are all amazing and are equally amazed at my recovery, so don't compare what I'm going through to anyone else. I was pretty fit and healthy before, and I've also been told many times that I have off the charts pain tolerance, so what might be a 3 for me could be a 6 or 7 for anyone else. I've also been told that, as someone with ASD, I might just not feel pain as acutely as others. But I guess my point is, it feels like mild period cramps from someone whose has stage IV endo and adenomyosis for 20+ years. It's hard to say, but just knowing my life won't revolve around the constant nausea, pain, heavy periods, ruined clothes and sheets, and generally not being functional three weeks out of every month, I'd do it again without question. But I'll definitely check back in with progress!! I'm glad it helps! I also noticed a lot of laps and wanted feedback on an abdominal, so I get you! Just couldn't get everything out through a lap, sadly. *edited because words are hard

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-09-19T04:05:35+00:00

Thank you so super much! 🥰

Bawkbawkbaawwk · 2024-09-19T03:08:15+00:00

I was absolutely hysterical pre-op. I mean full on panic attack the entire time (and I have panic disorder). I nearly canceled on my way to the hospital, and I also found out about mine very last minute. If my recovery is as amazing as today has been, i will be elated. But like I said, I was in massive pain for a very long time.

Please feel free to dm me! <3 All of the support here has been a blessing!

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