Putting My Title Into Practice

oh boy. oh boy. oh boy. So I'm laying down resting on the couch with my heating pad, with the blanket over my feet. Nells is snuggled in and I'm pretty comfortable. But let me paint you a clearer picture. I am wearing a pelvic belt. TMI?

Info on my condition (non pregnancy)

And if the first one, the one I am wearing now doesn't work out, 
I'll be put in this one...it actually looks more comfortable that the black one :o

If you've been reading my blog for any length of time you probably know my history medically. If not, you can catch up here. Because of my instability issues from all the surgeries, wearing this belt is the only choice I have at this point to get any sort of normalcy back as far as activity goes in my life. My pelvis and hips are basically like a bobble head, and until and unless my pelvis can get stable, I will continue having issues with weakness, joints, ligaments and muscularly. The belt will keep my pelvis stable and in tact and weekly I will have it checked and eventually start a strengthening program, and as I gain strength and wear the belt, progress will come.

Without the belt I will only get so much better. I will only improve so much. Because I have so much weakness and instability that it is causing breaks, tears, and pain in many areas for me. My back, legs and hips being the worst. Aside from the chronic pain internally I have, these other things are newer issues, over time they have worsened and I was looking for answers and a solution. There are other women that I have been in contact with that have gone through something similar to me, but not as many surgeries, and it took them 5 years to get to "together". I'm on year 3 post op after 42 surgeries.

With time in the belt and strengthening, I won't be 100% or like I ever was, but I will be much better off! At least that is what we are hoping for!

I have to wear this sucker for 9 months! Talk about putting my blog title into practice. It's the first day and I'm practically depressed. It doesn't look bulky in the photo, but here's the deal.

I may look like a thin girl, and I'm not saying I'm not, but um, unlike the girl in that photo, I have a very very smooshy, soft tummy. So when they put the belt on me this morning (against my skin people), I had instant muffin major top!!! (And it's pretty bulking and digging into my skin.) I looked at my therapist and said, "Good thing I've been married for 10 years!" Geez.
Talk about embracing your face, remember those posts? Maybe I should start those again. LOL

I went ran to the mall right after and was going to go to the Gap to look for long tank tops, but I figured I needed a lot, so I went to H&M, (cheaper and who knew it was the season of LONG tanks?) here is my receipt:


The cashier asked me if my goal was to get one in every color. I'm thinkin, lady, if you ONLY knew.

The tanks will serve as a cover up, because you can TOTALLY see the belt through my pants. I won't be wearing jeans for a long time, and it's a good thing I am a dress girl and that summer is coming up. Because dresses and leggings with LONG TANKS and loose tanks, will be my friend for 9 months.

I need to by some briefs too, because, well never mind.

So, here I am, at 38, not wondering why my body has failed me, because to be honest, I've realized for a long time now that our bodies, people, and life are broken, and the sooner we accept that, the easier on all of us. But here I am at 38, wearing a pelvic belt in hopes to:

-hike
-bike
-organize and clean my laundry room
-garden
-rake
-shovel (ok, maybe I don't want to shovel no matter what)
-do yoga
-lift
-sit for long periods of times without issues
-dance!
-clean my whole house!

Isn't that the truth!?!

That is a good goal list, don'tcha think!? So as much as this belt is buggin already and it's only been on for 5 hours, I will do it. I will wear the belt because I have hope. Hope that I can get some good activity back into my life. Hope that I can decrease injury, decrease pain, increase stability and increase stamina. It isn't fun, and I wish I didn't have to do it, but we all have to do something we don't want to do, heck most of life we are doing things we don't want to do. But I will. I am. And I can look at this belt as a tool to something greater that is hopefully coming. A better quality of life. I keep saying "My 40's will be what my 20's and 30's should have been!"

I can see this belt as a blessing, not a burden, because it is giving my body a chance to heal more. I can find peace and comfort knowing what lies ahead if it does it's job. I can look for the beauty and the positive in something that could rob me of joy, contentment and peace. The other choice I have is just not cool with me, it's not an option, it's like being in chains, I'd rather be free, free to look for the possibilities instead of being defined in misery with this belt.

Oh the jokes I am sure I will come up with! Stay tuned while this belt keeps the next 9 months very interesting. I will keep you posted with my progress and I'm sure I'll be honest on the rough days and share the good days.


And thank you all so so much for your feedback and comments from my post last week about blogging for six months, I really appreciated that! I will also get my california (it's been a month, wow) photos up and my photos from march up too before the week is over. Lot's of photo sharing needs to take place.

Peace to you and yours and thanks for reading. You keep me going.

 I'm sure as usual, Nells and good coffee will help keep me going for these next 9 months.
 Winn Dixie anyone?

 I gave Madelynn this rose after school the other day for a "just because", and she put it in an old snapple bottle near the window with some water, I thought that was sweet, don't you?





Comments

Michelle said…
Oh Gina, you are such an inspiring woman! You've been through so much, and you're still going. God will absolutely use you to encourage you, you're such a model of strength and endurance.

And in my honest opinion, there is nothing better in this world than skirts and tank tops and dresses :) You will be beautiful!
Sunny said…
I love that you are embracing it (no pun intended) instead of fighting it. I had no idea about your health problems and I'm so glad you shared. Yay for the belt.
Elisha said…
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. :)
Jean said…
Gina, love that you don't let anything get in your way <3 you are a beautiful person! <3
Mary said…
love you!
i'll be praying for your healing as the days go by...
God will use this thorn in your flesh for good...i KNOW it.
xoxo
HopeUnbroken said…
well. i'm not sure whether to laugh or cry along with you. so, just consider both done :-) these physical vessels. . . oh, how they humble us, do they not??? but i say, if anyone can pull it off, it shall be you! can you feel the love??? :-)
look to the future--filled with possibility. i swear that's the only thing that's gotten me this far. my 40's are chuggin' along pretty well so far (only a couple of years in). i'm guessing you're setting yourself up to thoroughly enjoy them.
love to you,
steph
Desiree said…
even with a pelvic belt, you are one of the most beautiful women ever. <3

will be praying that you are able to complete all your goals soon, very soon!
Oh you are so gorgeous inside and out and that belt will do nothing to diminish that :-) I really feel for you with the pain issue. I cannot imagine living with that for so long. I twisted my pelvis last December and could barely move for a month without extreme pain. I wasn't supposed to sit, I could not lift my child or do any of the hundreds of things a healthy person takes for granted. I will pray that you get relief and better mobility. You are so full of life and you should be able to enjoy it pain-free.
fiddlehead said…
I love how you focus on the hope, the freedoms this belt will be able to give you. In time you will hike, dance, do yoga! yes, yes, yes....and so much more. Giving yourself this time to heal. hugs!
Darby & Sheri said…
Gina you are beautiful inside and out belt or no belt. I had my fair share of experience with a contraption similar to that one and it really did help support my hips and pelvis so I hope and pray that you will notice a difference soon. Hugs dear and if I lived anywhere near you I would totally come share some coffee and cleaning duties with you! xoxo
Hailsyeah said…
you are incredible. may you find peace and comfort in times of rest during this difficult process~ thank you for sharing!!
Hailsyeah said…
you are incredible. may you find peace and comfort in times of rest during this difficult process~ thank you for sharing!!
Unknown said…
Oh darling, sorry you have to wear this belt but look at you all so positive! what a blessing it is to have God on your side. Time will fly!
The picture of your docket cracked me up :P haha xx
Sarah said…
i'm considering getting a pelvic belt, but probably once we are towards the end of having kids. I hear they work pretty well especially if you use them right after having a baby with your bones are still soft and moving back in place. I'm afraid it will work TOO well and then next time I have a kid I'll have a c section or something lol.

- Sarah
agirlintransit.blogspot.com
momto8 said…
good for you! attitudes are more important than facts.
liz said…
Thank you so much for the comment! That is so exciting and such an amazing opportunity to minister! When are you going there? That is just so amazing!
Liza said…
Gina I'll be praying that this belt will start helping you with the healing process!

I'm in such awe of your positive spirit!

You're beautiful and dresses/skirts look wonderful on you. So I don't think you have to worry about anyone noticing your belt!

God Bless!
memory said…
I've never heard of one of those... hang in there, sweetness! We're here for you. :)

Haha, yes ma'am... purposely at home is my very own sweet sister - Marli. :) Thanks for your comment!

SoUtHeRnPiNkY.bLoGsPoT.cOm
erika said…
You are gorgeous. Every time you post a picture, I honestly think, "Wow, she's beautiful." Whether it's a belt or anything else, know that it won't take away from your beauty, inside and out.
Meredith Sledge said…
Good to know about that belt! Does it help back issues? My mom has back problems really badly and just needs her spine to be alined. If you know anything, would you email me at meredithsledge@yahoo.com. That would be fantastic!
Sarah B. said…
Oh Gina, darling. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. I just read your other post to catch up on your Endo condition. I can't imagine what it's like to go through, but please know your health and comfort will be in my prayers. You're such a strong lady not to let this stop you or slow you down. I admire you for that.

As difficult and painful as it must still be, just know that it is a test from God... And you will pass, because you have Him on your side. He's continuously shaping you into who He wants you to be. (Bobble-head hips and all.) Stay strong, lady! I'm rooting for you! <3
Blogs said…
you were given a gift and that's to inspire other women to be beautiful, encouraging, courageous, loving and more......you shine pretty lady! this will only make you stronger! keep us posted on the progress and how your days are going! xoxo

ps: and keep taking pretty pictures:)
Denise said…
your attitude and approach is sooo beautiful that no belt can ever detract from that... i can't believe how strong and positive you always are, despite everything you've gone through... the thing about you gina is that you are a living and daily testimony of how God uses our afflictions for our good and his glory.

and long tops and dresses! that sounds like a mighty fine wardrobe to me... post lots of pictures yeah? xx
Denise said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
I don't know if this will work, but several of my friends who are pregnant have these bands that go from mid-stomach to below their zippers for expansion.

I think you are having a great attitude about everything and it's a great thing tunics are so popular right now :)
Unknown said…
Hi Gina! Since I am very new to your blog I can only comment on this post, although I plan to investigate further:) I can tell you have had difficulties, yet you write with such humour and are so candid - I love it and can't wait to get to 'know' you better! I also wish you well . . .
You are such an inspiration. Your story truly fills me with hope and admiration!
Julie Marie said…
you truly inspire me... seriously, i know you did a blog post about your belt, but its the beauty and the optimism you find in the midst of "LIFE" that i love about you..thank you sweet Gina for being who God made you to be =) is there any other way??

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