I’m Audrey. I love my husband, two little boys, two dogs, and two cats. My mom, dad and two brothers are pretty awesome too. Don’t even get me started on how much I love my Aussie family. My friends? Forget it, you can’t find better ones. Pink is my favorite. I shop too much. Chocolate and peach rings are my weaknesses. Give me a glass of moscato and a pair of pj pants and I’m in heaven. Total and complete introvert. Phone and facebook addict. A little insecure but very nice. Living a surreal life on the PGA Tour circuit with my amazing husband. Recovering from a near death experience with Toxic Shock Syndrome and Acute Respiratory Syndrome. If I can help one person and leave as much love in this world as possible then it will be a life well spent.
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#PSdontusetampons 
Hi, I was touched by your story on TV today so I googled your Begin Again Foundation. And here I am at your blog. I shared it on FB and I just wonder if I missed the info about why not to wear tampons. I don’t use anymore but my 18 yr old and sister and nieces and friends all do! Is wearing the tampons what caused your illness? Would you mind sending me info or a link to share, to help me give my loved ones more reference. Thank you and God bless you! Theresa Meller
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Hi Theresa! Here is a great link with plenty of information about TSS:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/toxic-shock-syndrome/basics/symptoms/con-20021326
There are different reasons why TSS is related to tampons. TSS can happen whenever there is a trauma to your body. Tampons can cause a microtrauma on insertion or removal. It is also a perfect breeding ground for bacteria when they are inserted and they do not have to be in for long. It has been shown that it can happen in two hours of wearing a tampon. The other issue is that commercial tampons are created with rayon which is a highly absorbant material. There is no known association with TSS when using 100% cotton tampons. Even when using the cotton tampons alternating between them and pads is essential. I hope this helps!
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Hey Audrey, I saw your story on PGA 2016’s Playing With a Purpose.
I am not a golf fan, but I am a firefighter. The guys at the station leave the T.V. on sometimes to what they want to watch and, I really don’t have a choice.
When they watch golf, it’s like relaxing classical music in the background for me. 😊 I do love golf for that and, watching athletes like your husband who are passionate & dedicated to what they do.
Watching the segment about your story, lead me to your blog. I read the jan. 2016 post, about alternatives during your cycle.
I also read today’s entry & back a few. You are not alone in your thoughts of everyday life, most defiantly not !
Reading your blog, has inspired me to try the cup again, it was funny…. My complaint was the messiness of it, and reading your comments about that, I realized the alternitive possible TSS.
So, I will happily deal w/ the mess. I will tell you, I have read the warning labeles many times on the tampon box about TSS, and though the same thing, it wouldn’t happen to me…. I also thought it was safe to wear a tampon to bed. I guess not !
As a Firefighter – Emergency Medical Technician, I respond to emergency medical calls. I have a running list in my head of medical problems, when I respond to female patients who, are experiencing the flu like symptoms you had.
Ex:Are they on there Cycle, are they Pregnant , & all the possibe problems w/ that ….. unknown pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, if not those… I would start right away down that flu road …. As you did. Now, I will add TSS to my list of things to rule out.
Thanks for sharing & I will defiantly follow your
blog. I am looking forward to being a mother in the next few years & I can tell that you are “real” about life as a Mother, Wife & Survivor ! I already feel better reading your blog, about feelings I have as a women !
Take Care, God Bless !
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I’m so happy to hear that you are going to give the cup another try! I’ve heard from so many women that it is truly life changing. Thank you for your service as an EMT. Spreading awarenss about TSS and Sepsis is so important to me and it means the world when the message reaches people working in the medical community.
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Bless you for sharing your story, Audrey. I’ve not had TSS, but in the last year I found out that what I really had in the last 30 years was Lyme disease and not everything else that was laid on me by the medical community. Now I’m over it and I am gladly left with an incredible energetic and faith filled life. The disease led me to eat clean and live in gratitude for every minute of every day as even the stuff that I may not want in the moment is there for a reason.
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I’m so glad you found your answers and are feeling better Pam!
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Audrey, as an American Golf fan I applaud your comments. The unfortunate thing is that I am too the point that the two Cup’s mean less and less to me due to the idiocy of some of the fans. The USGA spends millions on advertisements which try to grow the game and foster the proper ethics. The money would be better spent on cleaning up the Ryder Cup fan base. If that was done, then, the advertisements would not be needed.
I heard about your illness and am so glad to hear you are doing better. I some how contracted a rare blood disorder and spent 4 months in the Hospital this year. Am happy to report that the Hospital had the Golf Channel and that got me through the entire ordeal! My balance and leg strength are still way off, but, the Dr. told me to set a goal one year off – so, I plan to see you at the 2018 Tour Championship here in Atlanta.
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I’m so sorry to hear about your health scare and prolonged recovery. Please be patient and kind with yourself. It took me a very long time to feel better. Thank you for the support ❤️
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