Wrap up of the saga of the hemorrhoids

I gave in and got a prescription. It was the best thing I did in regards to the 'roids. Within 3 days, the hemorrhoid has been blasted to almost oblivion. Combined with the "cushion bum sore mummy," as Emily calls it, I'm feeling almost 100% aside from the fatigue fog I'm walking around in lately due to Emily having a cold and therefore waking up in the night usually right after I finish a 45 minute breastfeeding session with Hope (she's a bit of a gourmand when it comes to enjoying her meals). I think the roid cream and the cold may be related as the walk-in clinic is the only place I can think of where I may have picked up any germs. I seem to be a carrier though rather than having the cold myself, thankfully.

The potty training is still humming along. I actually feel like we're on the road to being diaper-free with Emily. Yesterday she wore "big girl underwear" to the library and back with no accidents. In fact she wore the underwear a lot yesterday with no accidents. Sweet. Hopefully there will be no backward steps now regarding the toilet.

I have some pictures to post of Hope but not until tomorrow because there is a tortiere that needs making for supper. Mmm-mmm, good.

Apparently I'm an invalid

Bought a card reader so now the camera situation is fixed for the time being. So, here was the post I wanted to put up earlier.

Bought a cushion today to help with the 'roids (and it does by the way). Here is the tag that was on it:

A little discouraged

Dr. Guo did not say: "it will get worse before it gets better." However, it has gotten worse overnight. The 'roids have never bothered me in the middle of the night but last night and through this morning they were really bad. What's up with that? I'll go once more and see what he says but if it's going to get worse like this, I think I'll just go for the prescription from my doctor cuz this sucks.... ass.

Update on the 'roids

This is for Beth to pass on to Marlene. I finally saw an acupuncturist today. His name is Dr. Guo. He is, clearly, Chinese and practised in China for 30 years. His clinic was full which is probably a good sign. His clinic is in this slightly cracktown area in the side of his house. Suspicious at first, but then when I went in, it all seemed fine and on the up and up. Anyway, he stuck me full of pins, first on my back and one actually in my butt - well just at the top of the crack, but still - and then I had to flip over and he stuck two in my stomach area, and a bunch in my legs and feet.

Okay, so true, the pins don't hurt at all. But there is definitely radiating discomfort due to the pressure points. This to me means that it is doing something. The top-of-my-butt one sent shooting pain into my left cheek. Weird. And the ones in my feet made my arches hurt and ache. So cool. He also told me to put cold water on the roid twice a day. Granted I haven't done that yet. I'll start either before bed or tomorrow morning.

He told me to come every day for a bit. Yah, right. Not practical when a person is looking after two kids and the hours are very limited. Can you imagine a two year old and a 6 week old hanging out for an hour in a clinic full of pins while their mother is being stuck and prodded? So, instead I'll be going Saturday and then Monday and see what I can swing after that. It just means that my pain will be extended a little longer.

Oh, by the way, he has a money-back guarantee! He said that he guarantees that he'll fix the roids or my money back. I can't lose!

What no one else will tell you....

that hemorrhoids are possibly as bad as the labour, birth and delivery all put together. I thought I had avoided the worst of it, being that it is now three weeks later. I was suffering a bit but able to manage it with a daily routine of Preparation H. But then, today happened... welcome, constipation. Welcome, a marble-sized (we're talking the large guys, not the cat's eyes) hemorrhoid that is requiring me to walk like there is a piece of lumber between my cheeks and to ensure that I always take a pillow to the car with me. The thing about it that is different than labour etc is that there is no obvious end in sight. My midwife gave me a list of some herbal remedies to try that are supposed to cure even the most chronic case of the roids but could I get them at my local natural food store? Of course not. Instead, according to them, I need to call a Shaman (yes, you read that right) or an herbalist. I'll be on that first thing tomorrow because the idea of pooping right now has me completely and utterly terrified which isn't exactly helping the problem. Beth, does Marlene have any quick fixes beyond the piece of witch hazel-soaked toilet paper that is currently wedged in my bum?