About three years ago as I uncomfortably existed in what I all my “new” body…the body that has pelvic organ prolapse, I would sit with my two and four-year old daughters and watch “So You Think You Can Dance.” A very long time ago I was a dancer and it seems my little girls are innately interested. Not only do they take dancing lessons but they love to watch the show. I must admit I do as well. The show speaks to my very personal dreams and aspirations. As a little girl my fantasy was to be a student at the National Ballet of Canada and I relished each June when our costumes arrived at my neighbourhood dance studio and I was closer to being on stage performing. I was by no means a “star” student destined for a future in dance, but I did have a natural rhythm and a love of dance.,
Four years ago as I sat at the computer in the wee hours if the morning trying to learn any information that I could about pelvic organ prolapse but there was not a lot to go on. I gathered some definitions from a few medical websites ad stumbled across a few graphic images that left me in tears and terrified about my future. When I came across Sherrie J. Palm and her book POP The Silent Epidemic I was so very thankful to find her. I felt compelled to reach out to her in my desperation to feel connected with another woman living with this condition. For much too long I had felt like I was the only one living with POP and that nobody understood. I continue to view Sherrie Palm as a Guru. Her advocacy, knowledge of POP, and vision have paved the way for women such as myself to garner the courage to share our stories.
My daughters, aged four and five, do not know yet that their Mommy lives with a health condition called pelvic organ prolapse or POP. Often referred to as “the silent epidemic” of women, pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the uterus, bladder, rectum, or vagina or a combination of these organs herniate into the vaginal canal. A woman who shares her symptoms with a physician, family member or friend must describe intimate physical details that relate to her anatomy, sexuality, and excretion habits. Not fun yet a devastating reality for millions of women worldwide in varying degrees.
Once upon a time I was an avid runner. I was very confident in my health. I felt strong and unstoppable. I waited a long time to have a baby. Life circumstances had put that dream on hold for a while. I later found my wonderful husband and we both decided we wanted to begin having a family. We were thirty-five at this time and we were excited to begin having children. I had a healthy pregnancy and was very blessed to give birth to a beautiful baby girl. My life was like a dream. I was amazed at my new baby and was excited to bounce back from my pregnancy. Even though my new role as a mother was all encompassing I remember planning my running comeback by placing a big star on the calendar six weeks after my daughters’ birth. My goal was to get back to running as soon as I could. |
Keira is a Certified Coach Practitioner. Her holistic approach to empowering women is focused on nurturing emotional well-being.
You can find her creatively exploring all things magical on The Gossamer Path and sharing pelvic floor knowledge on Sacral Healing. FIND OUT MORE Archives
October 2012
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