Toxic Shock Syndrome Awareness
My name is Gavrielle and I am now 16 years old. On November 8, 2011, I came home from school feeling very sick. I had a bad headache, fever, nausea and a sore throat. My mom thought I had the flu or something that would run its course in the next 24-48 hrs. It got worse the second day. I was throwing up and started with diarrhea that night. I couldn't keep anything down. My mom was going to take me to the doctor after my brothers got on the bus the next morning … [Read more...]
My name is Julie and I am 17. On October 31st, when I was 15, I found my life was going to drastically change. It was Halloween and it was the day of hurricane Irene. My family and I were going to a friend's house because we didn't have power in our house. On our way to our friend's house I stopped the car 4 times to throw up. My mom thought it was just the flu and I would be fine. When we got to my friend's house I was shivering in my heavy winter coat. My mom gave me hers and I was wearing 2 … [Read more...]
A guest post by Christine: a full-time working, cloth diapering, baby-wearing, co-sleeping mother of one. She writes regularly on her own blog: Thoughts of Fluff. It's THAT time... Your "period", your "time of the month", "Aunt Flo", "crimson wave", "cycle", "girly time"…whatever you call it, I dreaded it. I started my cycle when I was 14 years old. My mother was a pad user, so, naturally, that's what I started with, too. I hated them. They were crinkly and made me feel like I was … [Read more...]
A guest post by Tara Bruley, founder of Be Prepared Period In contrast to the many Toxic Shock Syndrome stories on You ARE Loved's site, mine is not one of illness, loss or pain. I am a lucky one! Getting Started with Tampons I started my menstrual journey at 15 the way most girls do: using pads. I never got along with them, and hated the "diapery" feeling and the odor. My mom solely used tampons, so I was naturally curious about them. After only a few cycles of using … [Read more...]
Holly and Charisse are two moms committed to discussing real issues girls face while growing up. Check out their Life, Laugh, Latte site and their YouTube channel for topics including bullying, dating, eating disorders, and periods. Since they talk more about periods than any other topic, it is fitting that their latest video focuses on Toxic Shock Syndrome and refers viewers to You ARE Loved. Let their voices help start a discussion, then check out the resources here on our site that … [Read more...]
When I was a college student I decided to use tampons in conjunction with pantyliners. I had off and on issues with vaginal dryness but was too uncomfortable to talk about the issue with a physician. It was enough that I went to the gynecologist appointments. Only months later I had the scare of my life. It was like any day: running late for classes, heavy flow, and general craziness. I was hanging out with my sorority sisters and used the bathroom. I pulled the tampon out. It looked a … [Read more...]
Connect With You Are Loved