Sandpaper & Glass

Space and Grace.

By: sandpaperandglass November 1, 2018June 17, 2019

Uncategorizedanxiety, depression, Pelvic Pain, Therapy, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

I’ve just returned to this blog from a 6-ish-month hiatus. I left without a warning, stopped responding to the blog e-mails, etc. And I am sorry for that. I hope each person who needed help was able to find it while I was away. I am going to be vulnerable in this post. Not with…

My Story. Part 5. Healing through PT.

By: sandpaperandglass October 11, 2018June 17, 2019

My Story, Uncategorizedanxiety, incontinence, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Pain, vaginal pain, vaginal tightness, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

This is one of those posts that has taken me FOR.EVER. to want to write. I did a lot of soul searching and realized why. This is me currently. This isn’t my medical history… which is easily summarized… this is the active, messy journey that I’m on. I have anxiety about being criticized, being wrong,…

My Story. Part 4. Aquagenic Pruritus and Systemic Nickel Allergy Syndrome

By: sandpaperandglass April 23, 2018June 17, 2019

My Story, UncategorizedAquagenic Pruritus, itchy skin, Nickel Allergy, Systemic Nickel Allergy, vaginal pain, vulvodynia, water allergyLeave a Comment

I just exercised. Ran for 20 minutes and did a strength workout. I got sweaty and stinky (my kids will attest to that, they like to sniff around and say “ew, you stinky mama!”). It was 8pm, my kids were awake, I knew I wanted to get them to bed… but I also wanted to…

Humans of Vulvodynia Society

By: sandpaperandglass April 23, 2018June 17, 2019

Uncategorizedanxiety, marriage, Nickel Allergy, painful intercourse, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Pain, Systemic Nickel Allergy, vaginal pain, vestibulectomy, vulvodynia1 Comment

I recently submitted my story to a new “Humans of Vulvodynia Society” survey from ME + MY V. This blog has some wonderful information, and I am especially interested in reading about other perspectives about vulvodynia. If you have vulvodynia, I encourage you to share your story (you can do so anonymously if you wish). The…

My Story. Part 3. Trial and Error.

By: sandpaperandglass January 29, 2018June 17, 2019

My Story, Uncategorizedpainful intercourse, Pelvic Pain, vaginal pain, vaginal surgery, vaginal tightness, vestibulectomy, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

Lidocaine jelly. That’s the first thing I tried. I was told to lather it all over my vulva and vagina and wait 15-30 minutes before intercourse for everything to go numb. It seemed so simple. I was shocked that I hadn’t thought of something like that before. The way my vulvodynia was described to me…

A Double Edged Sword.

By: sandpaperandglass January 16, 2018June 17, 2019

Uncategorizedanxiety, depression, marriage, Pelvic Pain, vestibulodynia, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

A double edged sword. That’s what it is. Being a virgin prior to entering into a monogamous marriage as a woman with vulvodynia is a double edged sword. On one hand, I hold fast to my religious tenants about sexuality and how intimacy is between me and my husband and us only. It brings me…

My Story. Part 2. Recognizing Something was Wrong and the Diagnosis

By: sandpaperandglass December 12, 2017June 17, 2019

My Story, Uncategorizedanxiety, painful intercourse, Pelvic Pain, vaginal pain, vaginal tightness, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

Hey there. It’s me again. Ready to write some more. I feel hesitant already, knowing that this will surface some deep emotions I try so hard to forget. But, I know I need to do this. Here goes nothing. Intercourse was painful for me. So, very painful. Like crying-in-the-fetal-position-for-hours-after kind of painful. We discovered this…

Medical Journey: Elevator Pitch

By: sandpaperandglass December 12, 2017June 17, 2019

My Story, Start Here., Uncategorizedanxiety, painful intercourse, pelvic floor physical therapy, Pelvic Pain, vaginal pain, vaginal surgery, vaginal tightness, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

I wanted to do a QUICK elevator pitch of my medical journey with vulvodynia, so that there is context when you read the other posts about what has helped/what hasn’t. I will keep updating this post throughout the course of this blog. Thanks! … I was diagnosed in 2015 (after I had my kids) when…

Sorry, Not Sorry.

By: sandpaperandglass November 20, 2017June 17, 2019

Uncategorizedconfidence, vulvodyniaLeave a Comment

Is my insecurity showing? Yes, yes it is. Sorry if I share too many details. I am not trying to be insensitive, rather the opposite. I have learned through speaking with many women who have vulvodynia, that the more honest I can be about my experiences, the better I am able to help others. I’ve…

My story. Part 1. The Early Years.