Mental Health Awareness Letters – 11th May 2018

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I had an idea to write a letter each day to a person, or group of people that have had an impact on my own personal health. The first portion of the month has been delayed, however I hope that I will catch up and there will be a daily post. Thank You for taking the time to read these and I appreciate any comments or support you can provide on each post.

Please remember that if you are struggling with your health, both physical or mental, there may be some triggers in these letters-please seek support if you find these letters trigger any distress. Look after yourself!!

Letter 11 – To my ovaries,

You have had a huge impact on my mental health. I always said I wanted kids young, at 14 when my youngest sister was born my broodiness ‘peaked’ but I knew I had to finish school first and be ‘sensible’ (I would like to point out that I do not judge those that have children young, I just wanted to be realistic in my situation). Looking back now I should have not been so sensible and just tried to conceive then.

I said I wanted to be having (at least) my second child by the time I was 25. I am now 27 and have no children. I did suffer a miscarriage several years ago very early into the pregnancy, but I am not a mother. My best friend has a child and most of my school friends have children.

I had my first surgery when I was 18 to remove two large cysts within my ovary. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome and unfortunately this has an impact on my whole body. My hair, my weight, metabolism, glucose tolerance and I need to get my BMI down to qualify for NHS support for IVF as I cannot afford to pay for it privately. Losing weight is difficult and I find myself constantly putting it on rather than losing it. (I would also like to point out I am not publicising weight loss but in my case it is medically compulsory to qualify for fertility treatment.)

My ovaries do not ovulate and the one thing I long for is children, obviously being in a same sex marriage completely stops the chance of getting pregnant when least expecting it and sperm donors are hard to come by. (Unless you can pay for access to sperm banks)

So, to my ovaries, I wish you would get your act together as you and me are not best friends!!

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Mental Health Awareness Letters – 9th May 2018

As May is Mental Health Awareness Month, I had an idea to write a letter each day to a person, or group of people that have had an impact on my own personal health. The first portion of the month has been delayed, however I hope that I will catch up and there will be a daily post. Thank You for taking the time to read these and I appreciate any comments or support you can provide on each post.

Please remember that if you are struggling with your health, both physical or mental, there may be some triggers in these letters-please seek support if you find these letters trigger any distress. Look after yourself!!

Letter 9 – To my dogs.

My little ‘Mexican Shits’ who like to go out and then come in and pee by the back door!!

You cuddle me and show affection. I talk to you and feel that you listen and understand. People may think I am crazy but if you have never owned a dog you wouldn’t understand (unless you do not like dogs, but you have an equally loving cat or another animal). Science proves that being near a pet can help your mental and physical health as well as helping the animals’ health.

I had dogs on and off growing up but for years I wanted a Chihuahua, they are small and cute and feisty little things, with their little tails and little ears and bubbly personality I loved them.

We got our first girl from Gumtree and whilst she had been with this family for a week or two she was still young, most probably too young to be away from her Mam, but I had to have her!! We now have another puppy, found on the internet from a breeder-they have a love hate relationship and love to wind each other up, but they do love each other and there is nothing I love more when I am having a bad day that cwtches from these two.

It may sound silly, but my dogs definitely have saved me!! I love them!!

People may call Chihuahuas ‘rats’ but they are one of the most loyal and loving breeds I have ever known.

Q & A Session

I must admit I did not think of this idea myself, I have seen a lot of Q & A sessions over the past two weeks and thought it was a great idea, especially as it gives readers a chance to get to know you, or in this case me 🙂

As Lady Gaga said,

“Here we go!”

1. What are you wearing? It is now past 11PM so I am wearing some very snuggle PJ’s. Very boring really.

 

2. Ever been in love? I am happily married.

3. Ever had a terrible breakup? Not as bad as some but I have truly had my heart-broken once.

4. How tall are you? 168cm.

5. How much do you weigh? I don’t want to put a number on it as I believe we can focus too much on numbers. I will admit that I am on the cuddly side and Doctors recommend weight loss.

6. Any tattoos? Oh yes!! 14 to be exact and several more planned.

7. Any piercings? I have both my ear lobes pierced, they also have healed second piercings that i could most likely put an earing through if I took the time. I also have both tragus’ pierced, my helix and forward helix on the one ear. I also have my belly button pierced.

8. OTP (One True Pairing)? Not really sure what this question means.

9. Favorite Show? I have a few shows that I watch over and over but my favourite show at the moment is The Big Bang Theory.

10. Favorite Bands:

11. Something you miss? Relatives that have passed.

12. Favorite Songs:

13. How old are you? 26

14. Zodiac Sign? Aquarius

15. Quality you look for in a partner? Honesty.

16. Favorite Quote? Face your fears, Live your dreams, Take the risk and feel the rush. Of course it is one of my tattoos – Done during my time in Norway.

Rib Tattoo

17. Favorite Actor & Actress? Favourite Actor = Daniel Radcliffe and the male TBBT actors / Favourite Actress = Emma Watson and the female TBBT actresses.

18. Favorite Color? Teal.

19. Loud or soft music? In the sense of type then soft but when it comes to listening, loud as my hearing is terrible.

20. Where do you go when you’re sad? Nowhere.

21. How long does it take for you to shower? Depends if I am washing/tinting my hair.

22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Anything from 15-60 Minutes.

23. Ever been in a physical fight? Yeah.

24. Turn on? Good Question….

25. Turn off: Clicking and chewing noises.

26. The reason you joined WordPress? Initially as an anonymous place to rant but now WordPress allows me to support and share my passion to help others.

27. Fears? I am not a huge fan of needles, but I am getting there. I fear death and fear itself.

28. Last thing that made you cry? Where shall I write the list!!

29. Last time you said you loved someone? To my Wife when she went to sleep.

30. Meaning behind your blog name? The first name was bywydpcoslife a mixture of Welsh and English and put my PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) at the centre of my problems. Now ‘I am still me no matter what’ portrays the message that mo matter the state of your physical, mental health or environmental factors – you are still you!!

31. The last book you read? An Open University Textbook.

32. The book you’re currently reading? Several Open University Textbooks.

33. Last Show You Watched? Grey’s Anatomy (Watching is in progress….)

34. Last person you talked to? My wife.

35. The relationship between the last person you texted? No relationship, I was texting to stop marketing messages.

36. Favorite Food? Indian Food.

37. Place you want to visit? Everywhere, but mainly Hawaii.

38. Last place you were? In bed.

39. Do you have a crush? My wife of course!!

40. Last time you kissed someone? Earlier.

41. Last time you were insulted? Well….the story would take far too long.

42. Favorite flavor of sweet? Milk Chocolate.

43. What instrument do you play? Piano- I have also taught myself or had some lessons in harp, guitar, violin, clarinet, saxophone, drums and keyboard.

44. Favorite Piece of Jewelry? My Trollbead Bracelet.

45. Last sport you played? Running.

46. Last song you sang? Naked – James Arthur.

47. Favorite Chat Up Line? I hate chat up lines.

48. Have you ever used it? See Above.

49. Last time you hung out with anyone? Today with the dogs.

50. Who should answer this question next? Anyone that wishes to 🙂

Stacie-Mai