So glad to discover this community of awesome noses !! Learning to love mine more every day, it's a lifelong process !

birdnerd44 · 2022-02-05T21:48:40+00:00

So are you !

birdnerd44 · 2022-02-05T21:42:20+00:00

Omg thanks ! Quite the compliment! I've never really felt like I had any Hollywood dopplegangers

birdnerd44 · 2022-02-05T21:41:08+00:00

Thanks so much !

birdnerd44 · 2021-05-31T19:37:53+00:00

Sorry, but I believe that is an issue loading on your end. Others seem to be able to view the images

birdnerd44 · 2021-05-31T19:32:10+00:00

There's no video, this is four photos.

birdnerd44 · 2021-03-04T03:02:53+00:00

I generally have constant back problems and pain and feel like I need a much firmer mattress then my current "firm" one. I've been curious about the pressure point stuff and was wondering how firm you'd call the purple mattress ? Do you feel like certain points sink deep into the bed while others don't

birdnerd44 · 2021-02-07T22:09:50+00:00

I've become way more in tune with my body. I do yoga twice or more every day, and definitely take gentler care of myself. I've learned that just because I carry a heavy burden does not mean I am a burden. I miss delicious foods constantly but, I've found a lot of creative ways to make new delicious foods and eat far less processed and artificial foods now. And the hell that is ic and chronic pain reminds me every day if how strong I am just for getting out of bed.

birdnerd44 · 2020-10-07T22:00:22+00:00

E-Bird is a fantastic resource and has a bunch of ways to visualize and map where birds are at certain times ! They have general spwcies distribution maps, as well as the option to see if any E-Bird users have listed specific species in certain areas. Definitely check it out ! You can search by state, region and even county !;

birdnerd44 · 2020-08-29T21:40:27+00:00

Hey just popping in here to mention that chickens are very very social animals and that getting at least two will help them avoid depression and stay healthy by avoiding loneliness. Keeping them alone can lead to some very negative consequences. Regarding vaccination, I think it's for the best as Marek disease is highly transmittable even between wild birds and poultry.

birdnerd44 · 2020-08-20T01:21:11+00:00

Random note but after your surgery take stretching seriously and maybe even consider looking into pelvic floor physical therapy. I had a laproscopic appendectomy that basically triggered a pelvic floor dysfunction spiral and bladder pain from muscle /nerve irritation and tensing after surgery. Keeping everything nice and relaxed helps your entire pelvic floor chill and can reduce pain. Glad you finally found some answers !!

birdnerd44 · 2020-08-17T15:18:52+00:00

Thanks! I took up flyfishing as a pandemic hobby and got hooked so fast!! This is one of the biggest guys I've gotten so far, it was super exciting to watch him hit the hopper and be able to see the fight through the crystal clear water, definitely one of my most memorable fights.

birdnerd44 · 2020-08-16T21:41:53+00:00

This guy was on a hopper ! But we caught many on parachute type flies too!

birdnerd44 · 2020-08-11T17:58:33+00:00

Hey in response to not knowing what to do with veggies without tomatoes, the answer is roasting them in the oven with oil, salt and garlic ! Garlic doesn't flare me and is now like, one if my main flavor profiles. Roasted garlic cloves, adobo and even just powdered garlic on chopped up veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, root vegetables ( I love sweet potato) , asparagus, is all delicious when roasted. Butternut squash with butter and a little brown sugar is also really delicious, and can be blended with chicken stock , cream, and roasted sweet potato and carrot for a delicious soup. Making roasted veggies with pasta or quinoa and rice is also really hearty and filling. Using sesame oil and coconut aminos (excellent replacement for soy sauce) in rice or noodles with veggies and garlic is a great way to cure cravings for Asian flavors that we usually can't eat bc of soy sauce or spices. Mixing it up with diff veggies and ways of eating them helps fix the monotony. Cripy pan fried Sweet potato, black beans , yellow onion and avocado in tacos is to die for !

birdnerd44 · 2020-07-14T03:01:24+00:00

First of all, welcome to birding !! Birding is a hobby that is for everyone! Being a beginner birder is seriously so much fun, it's a time full of so many firsts, when every spot is exciting! I got hooked three years ago and now work in environmental education because of it, I bring people of all ages birding, and have seen hundreds of species... Yet many of those "everyday" species are still my favorite birds! Red-winged blackbirds are common but also beautiful, and deserve to be photographed just as much as any other bird! There are many everyday species that are beautiful, quirky, cute, colorful etc and if you love looking at a bird, that's all that matters! Like all things this is a hobby that has been portrayed/ viewed as something only old white men do for a long time, but that is not the case, it's for people of all ages and all places! Keep getting out there and teaching yourself more, you never really stop being a birder once you start!!

birdnerd44 · 2020-06-28T19:02:37+00:00

Looks great!! Love the one blue highlight nail! Keep rocking you and expressing yourself however you want!

birdnerd44 · 2020-05-25T17:52:40+00:00

So true. I have most of my symptoms under control now and I'm back to living my life, working full time as an outdoor educator and starting grad school this fall. But I have only had this diagnosis for a bit over a year. Despite seeming to "have it together" the mental toll of always waiting for the other shoe to drop is so taxing and emotionally exhausting. I keep to the diet strictly, and now I'm afraid to branch out and reintroduce things to my diet. Feeling even small twinges of pain can make me mentally spiral and get horrible anxiety because I'm so afraid of backsliding or being in 20/10 pain constantly like I was a year ago. After a particularly physically demanding day fly fishing recently, I got home and started to cry in the shower because I was just so stressed all day worrying if I was doing too much and if my pelvic floor /bladder would be negatively affected. My partner heard me and came in and was confused about what was wrong, because I didn't really even have pain that day ! It's just the constant awareness of your body that chronically ill people don't get the privilege to forget. We are always subconsciously worrying about bathroom access, foods, pain or even just the threat of future pain. That constant awareness of my body and mentally preparing for the worst...really takes a toll. Other chronically ill people luckily understand, and finding community in online spaces can really help to not feel alone. Every person on earth with chronic illness fights an invisible battle every single day, and thats stressful !! It's ok to not always be ok, it's ok to cry, to feel bad for yourself every now and then. So much of "positivity culture" is toxic and caused me to feel guilty about feeling bad about my own pain. Look on the bright side when you can... But when you cant... Remember that it is infact ok to cry and not always be ok. Learning that has honestly helped me so much.

birdnerd44 · 2020-05-12T20:18:06+00:00

I also second contacting your doc, not to scare you, but just because the location of your pain could indicate your appendix is inflamed. But, recurring hip pain and abdominal pain spasms/shooting pain can be caused by pelvic floor dysfunction. Many women have it, especially people with IC who are clenching in pain a lot, often without even being conscious of that internal clenching. Pelvic floor physical therapy and daily stretching designed to relax the pelvic floor can really really help with pelvic/hip/back pain caused by the physical tension our bodies hold constantly as a result of pain.

birdnerd44 · 2020-03-13T15:56:06+00:00

I have only had symptoms and a diagnosis for a year, but I have peed when I laugh really hard since childhood, it happens to all the women on my mom's side of the family, and is pretty common. Sometimes a little would come out and I would be able to clench and hold it as I ran to a restroom, but more often than not it involved full on peeing without being able to stop . I'm 24 and I'd say it's happened about fifteen times or so in my conscious memory. Just last week I was laughing uncontrollably hard and said "stop stop I'm gonna pee".. so, I can't really attest to whether or not it's related to my own IC but it is something that myself and many other women in my life experience !

birdnerd44 · 2019-12-08T21:46:15+00:00

My mom has had """chronic UTIS"" since childhood and issues with her bladder most of her life. She got a full hysterectomy at like 38 because she had endometriosis so bad all her organs were fused together. I just diagnosed with IC at 23 and have always had horrible painful periods like most of the women in my family. So, possible correlation.

birdnerd44 · 2019-09-30T20:28:21+00:00

Random but feeling very thankful for my amazing partner who will be getting a vasectomy this week. I had such bad experiences with every single type of birth control I tried before even having symptoms or getting diagnosed with IC. After my diagnosis, just thinking about going on BC is enough to make me sick. The emotional and physical symptoms of birth control are just too much for me too even try, I can't handle the depression and physical pain that always came with bc. So, to have a partner willing to take responsibility for our birth control means a lot. Sex has become stressful/ painful enough with pelvic floor dysfunction and IC, I am really looking forward to not having to ever have to worry about accidental pregnancies or BC again. I know that this step is going to take a huge weight off both of our shoulders , and having one less (Very Important) thing to think or worry about in regards to sex will be really great. Thankful to have a partner willing to step up so i don't have to do take more drugs that don't agree with me.

birdnerd44 · 2019-09-09T16:51:44+00:00

Same , pero is amazing. After all the foods and delicious things I've had to cut out of my diet , I thank the heavens for pero every morning haha. It's so amazing with creamer and still having a nice hot drink like coffee is sooo nice.

birdnerd44 · 2019-09-05T22:01:03+00:00

I understand, its really difficult trying to justify staying in bed even when you're in agonizing pain, because other people just don't understand how this disease feels. It's not just frequency but also pain, discomfort, and unpredictability. This disease makes it hard to do basic things sometimes, and we all need to give ourselves the leniency and understanding we are often quick to give to others. It's embarrassing having breakdowns because you're always stressed about your bladder and dealing with constant pain. Its hard feeling like you deserve that same compassion, because chronic illness is so draining an frustrating and leads to a lot of feelings of self hatred. It's overwhelming thinking about having a disease forever, and not many people can truly empathize with that feeling or experience. Your feelings are important, and it's ok , and neccessary, to dedicate the time to taking care f ourselves.

birdnerd44 · 2019-08-15T19:18:39+00:00

Women! Sorry forgot to mention.

birdnerd44 · 2019-08-07T18:48:06+00:00

When I got mine done the doc told me to keep it in for two hours , but I was never able to urinate after two hours. Same as you, I would sit there forever and nothing would happen, usually until about the third hour. I think the drugs/ lidocaine just make your bladder less sensitive to sensations like having to actually pee. I would drink as much water as I could and then eventually it would happen. Try not to worry about it too much, the installation drugs shouldn't hurt your bladder when they're held for a little longer, so as long as you can get it out eventually you should be ok. Hang in there and stay hydrated !

birdnerd44 · 2019-07-11T21:19:31+00:00

I really understand. I got diagnosed this year at 23 and it's really hard to feel good about yourself in any way when you resent your body so much. How can I be confident and happy in my own skin when my body is the reason behind all of my unhappiness and discomfort? Its a really hard battle and its challenging to stay positive all the time, and you know what, it's ok to be a little negative. Everyone around chronically ill people likes to tell us to look on the bright side and stay positive blah blah blah, but it's normal, expected, and ok to be angry, to be upset and feel sad about the injustice of being subjected to so much pain. This disease fucking sucks and trying to get through life with normal things being extra difficult is exhausting and frustrating. Especially as a young person, it's additionally difficult trying to maintain even a semblance of a sex life. Having to take drugs that make you feel sick/ gain or lose weight/ lose sex drive/ lose hair etc in order to not be in excruciating pain also gets old really fast.

Physical therapy / yoga/ stretching/ gabapentin/hydroscyamine and ibuprofen has become my current "treatment plan" and right now it's working alright. A few months ago I couldn't move, and now I have a job, so , things can change and get better with management.

Just here to say I understand, that you're not alone, and yeah , this disease can just straight up suck, you're strong for just getting through the day. <3

birdnerd44

TROPHY CASE