Stop Shaving...It's Movember

Today is November 1st, and that means Movember is here! Every year the company I work for puts a team of people together who want to raise awareness for men's health by raising money and not shaving. I'm on the team this year...and no, that doesn't mean I'm growing a beard...just supporting the men in my life and my team.

Movember is touching very close to home this year. A few weeks ago I found out that a very close family friend has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This is his second time battling this disease. Last time they removed his prostate and did radiation...so now this time there is really nothing they can do. A few things to slow the progression of his cancer, but that is it. It's really upsetting, and I don't want to see any other men have to go through this.

Here are some facts on men's health: 

• Did you know that 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime?
• Around  8,820 cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in 2014. 
• 1 in 4 adults in the United States will experience a mental health problem this year. 

Please help me and my team raise money!!! Any and all donations would make a huge difference in out fight. And if you can't donate, please repost and tell your friends and family about this Mo Sista's commitment to Movember. Spreading the word is so important!

HAPPY MOVEMBER!

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Many Thanks!!!

I just wanted to say THANKS SO VERY MUCH from the bottom of my heart to everyone that donated, the fashion bloggers (Jen, Lar, Cath, and Maegan) that took part in this, the readers that reposted this fundraiser, all the kind comments that were left, and to everyone that took the time to write me wonderful emails. Everyone's support really means the world to me! I'm happy to announce that we were able to raise: $191.48. This money will be sent directly to the Endometiosis Foundation of America where it will go towards education, awareness, and research for endometriosis.

I hope to do another fundraiser for endo awareness in the future where we can raise even more money!!!

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Fashionista Fundraiser for Endometriosis Awareness

So I was all set to do an outfit post but then my dog Rocko started pesting me so I would let him in on the photos for this last Fashionista Fundraiser for Endometriosis Awareness post. So, I decided to save my outfit for another day, and post some cute pictures of Rocko in his scarf posing with my endo sign. He's cuter than I am anyway!!!

Again, we are doing this fundraiser because there is no known cure for endometriosis. There are plenty of ways to control it or prolong surgery. But I want a cure. I need a cure! I think it is so fantastic that other illnesses have such strong support systems, awareness education, and huge fundraisers. Endometriosis really does not. Go ahead, ask ten women that you know what endometriosis is. I guarantee you not all ten can explain. The scary thing is, one in ten women will get this condition. Education about endo is so important. How can you know the symptoms if you don't even know what endometriosis is?!?!

A huge thank-you goes out to all of my friends, family, and readers...as well as fellow bloggers that have been a part of this, and those of you that have reposted this fundraiser. Your support means more than anything. When your health has you feeling isolated and alone, it really means a lot to have all the kind emails, comments, and donations being made.

Please make a donation today! All donations will go directly to the Endometriosis Foundation of America. I ask that you make your donation via our secure PayPal link. Please take note that we are raising money through this Friday, October 5th. So get your donations in today!!!

Fashionista Fundraiser for Endometriosis Awareness

Let me start out by saying thanks so much for all the kind comments and emails I received after putting up the initial Fashionista Fundraiser for Endometriosis post on Monday. When I was first diagnosed with this condition I felt like very much alone. Even though I had the support of my husband, family, and friends...I still didn't think many people understood what I was going through. It really means a lot to me hearing from all of you. Getting my story out there is almost a form of therapy and makes me feel less ashamed about it all. It is what it is...and getting out information and fundraising for a cure/education about endometriosis is super important to me. I would be so happy if everyone could donate a little to the cause. Please click here to make a donation through PayPal. All donations will be going to the Endometriosis Foundation of America. 

Endo hurts. Badly. Before I knew I even had endometriosis I felt fine. I felt like my normal self. Everything changed when my doctor checked my ovaries during a routine check-up. I felt like I was being stabbed on my left side. When my doctor noticed that I have endo in my family he suggested that I go through some testing to be sure. Endometriosis??? I was shocked. He asked if my periods were painful...and of course I said yes. But I thought monthly pain was normal...for everyone. You always hear people complain, and I didn't know anything different. When I thought of endo I thought of the people I know that have it who literally can't get out of bed due to the pain. That wasn't me. I told my doctor this and he stated that I could just have a very high pain tolerance.

The next step was to have a pelvic ultrasound done. I'm not going to lie...this hurt. A lot. Probably due to the vast amount of endo that I had in my body. The result from this test was that I had an endometrioma cyst (AKA chocolate cyst) growing in and on my ovary that was the size of an egg. My doctor wanted to wait six weeks to see if it would grow or change. So I had to have another pelvic ultrasound done (ugh!). After the second one was done they told me that it grew to the size of a lemon. Now the pain really started to kick in because it was really starting to stretch my ovary. The pain was so terrible! I would come home from work and just go to bed, take my pain medicine (that typically didn't really work), and cry. I knew deep down that surgery really was my only option.

As you can see from the photo above, I am now all smiles. You would be too if the worst pain of your life suddenly stopped. Surgery might not be the answer for everyone with endometriosis, but it worked for me. What makes me not smile is the fact that endo will most likely return to my life one day. I had so much in me that the doctor took out as much as he could...but there was no way he could take it all out. So until the pain returns I'm going to keep this smile on my face and try not to think about my endo future...because that just gives me serious anxiety.

dress- Bebe

jacket- H&M

shoes- Fearne Cotton c/o Very.com

vintage fascinator- gift from my parents when they were in Ireland

I would love it if all of my readers could make a donation to this fundraiser. We started to get a few donations in this week...but definitely not as many as the optimist in me was hoping for! Even if all you can donate is a few dollars, it will help!!! All you have to do to donate is click this secure PayPal link.

If you cannot afford to make a donation, I would love it if you could please pass this post along to your friends to help get the word out there.

I thank-you all again for your support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It means the world to me.

Also, be sure to check out Asian Cajun's latest post for endo awareness!

Fashionista Fundraiser for Endometriosis Awareness

You may remember me telling you all how I had to have surgery last month for endometriosis. When I talked with people about my condition I got one of three reactions: 1) I never heard of endometriosis. What is that?, 2) I know someone with endometriosis, or 3) I have endometriosis too. Most people that I spoke with about this didn't even know what endometriosis was unless they had it or knew someone that...and that was just crazy to me. Since this condition affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide (over 5 million in the United States alone), I would hope that endometriosis would get more attention as far as women's health is concerned...and I am determined to do just that.

It is unbelievable to me that just over a month ago I was in so much pain that I could barely move, was on serious pain killers, and would cry myself to sleep every night. The pain was so bad that I literally begged my doctor to move my surgery date sooner (and he was awesome enough to move his schedule around to make it happen). Just over a month since my surgery and I'm feeling amazing. As you can see, I can now go out and walk my dog (isn't Rocko the cutest???)...all with a smile on my face. Surgery worked for me...but the thing about pesky endometriosis is that it will more than likely come back. There is no real cure for endo, which I find so upsetting.

After my experience with endo I wanted to do something to get the word out about this condition. Putting a fundraiser together with some of my favorite fashion bloggers that were sweet enough to donate their time (and blogs) to getting the word out there seemed only natural.

For the next two weeks the Fashionista Fundraiser for Endometriosis Awareness that I organized will accepting donations. All donations will be sent to the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA). I'm hoping that with all of our blogs working together we can raise a large donation for them.

Please click to DONATE via PayPal to the Endometriosis Foundation of America. Every little bit helps!!! I ask that you use the donation link above to donate so that we can keep track on just how much we all have raised...and in turn I will keep everyone up to date on the success of this fundraiser.

denim jacket- Highway Jeans c/o Body Central

maxi dress- Derek Heart

scarf- a favor from my friend's wedding

sandals- Urban Outfitters

earrings- gift

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!

Also, be sure to check out posts from some of my fellow fashionistas: Asian Cajuns, Jennif Hsieh, and ...love Maegan. Your help means the world to me!!!