My journey began 17 years ago when I was just 17 and a junior in high school. It started with a twinge of pain here and there on the right side of my abdomen that got progressively worse with each passing day. I made my first trip to the ER for severe abdominal pain and my doctors thought it was an appendicitis (boy were they wrong) but that was quickly ruled out. The doctors ordered an ultrasound where a cyst was discovered on my right ovary. I was told that it would go away with my next cycle, given pain meds, and sent home. As the days went on my pain got worse. My docs began to suspect it was more than a cyst and that’s when my life as a medical guinea pig began. I missed almost my entire junior year because I was always at the doctors or in too much pain to go to school. For the next 4yrs I basically lived at the ER and my doctors office. In 2001, at the age of 21 I had my first diagnostic laparoscopy and was finally diagnosed with endometriosis. With each passing the day the pain got worse. From the ages of 24-32 I had to have 4 more surgeries to remove cysts and endo. My most recent surgery was July 11, 2014 to remove a polyp (mass) from my uterus.
The worst part about endo is that people thing you’re faking, or attention seeking. Doctors think your pill seeking. All I’m seeking is a pain free day and a little normalcy. Most weekends I’m too sick to get out of bed. I’m 35 years old and I can’t enjoy life thanks to endo. I can’t even remember what life was like before endo took over my life 17 years ago. We need to find a cure and raise awareness so no more women have to suffer like this.
Virginia HOPE 