"Birds make great sky-circles
of their freedom.
How do they learn it?
They fall, and falling,
they are given wings."

-Rumi (translated by Coleman Barks)

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

When you believe

Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains long
Before we knew we could

There can be miracles, when you believe
Though hope is frail, it's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe.

I have never felt this hopeful or happy in three years. I finally can tell how far I have come and how much progress I have made. It hasn't been easy and I know my journey isn't over yet, but I can finally envision an end to all of this. I went into NY today for therapy and haven't gone in over a month now because of travel. It was the easiest appointment I have ever had. My muscles have become much more relaxed and the sharp pain is now localized to the very small bottom of the vulva. I think this will be corrected when I see Dr. Kellogg in two weeks and we start using estrogen and other creams to build up the tissue. But I cannot rant enough how painless this visit was!!!! My body is finally feeling the way it should.

Walking back to the train station, I could not stop grinning. In my head I was skipping, doing cartwheels, shouting, exploding with happiness. It really does just take time. I have been to PT with Stacey for a year and a half now and have gone through major hip surgery. We have been on quite the physical and emotional journey, but our efforts are working due to perseverance, dedication, and strength. I can do things now I wouldn't dream of a few years ago, even a few months ago. I can sit for longer than an hour without pain. I can be intimate. I can climb mountains. I am getting myself back. So I'm telling those of you who are not having a good day or are on the more difficult part of your path to keep going. Two years ago I was having a break down on my bathroom floor, bawling from emotional and physical weight. I could not even imagine that a day like this would come. But it can. Do not give up. Keep climbing.

5 comments:

Alex said...

Hi Tamra,

Thank you for such a thoughtful and uplifting post! I, personally, am having a hard day. I think I'm getting sick (everywhere) and it is causing major pain downtown. I was doing so, so well too!

But reading your post made me feel so much better. As much as I enjoy wallowing in my own self-pity on days like today, I need posts like yours to kick me in the butt and remind me that a) it could be worse and b) it will get better (I've been going at PT for not nearly as long as you and I already see major improvements!). Wallowing is good and all but it can only take you so far.

So thanks again. And congrats about getting to where you are.

Love,

Alex
http://www.vulvarvestibulitisrelief.com

Anonymous said...

Thank you,Tamra,for this post. I always love to hear stories of improvement (lots of stuff on the internet about vulvar conditions is frightening, to say the least). I've had chronic candida, vulvar atrophy, and pudendal nerve irritation for three years now (though I received the "vulvodynia" diagnosis, anyway). I'm often miserable, but I need to remember that others have recovered.

I hope you continue to improve. Did you ever have 24/7 pain, or was it only on touch?

Anon

Anonymous said...

Tamra,
I am so happy to hear about your improved state! I too feel sooooo much better than I did when I first developed vulvodynia several years ago. I've gone from pain/burning 24/7 to tenderness with touch. During those really dark early years, I never imagined I could feel this good again. Thanks for the uplifting post.

Anonymous said...

Im really happy for u, that rocks!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Tamra!

You did not post in a while - and I am hoping that means you're perfectly OK!

What's up?

Mindy