Senator McCain:
My name is Heather Pickens and I reside in Phoenix, AZ. I am 27 years old and am writing regarding my illness, Endometriosis and spreading awareness.
On August 26, 2014, I will go in for my first excision to (hopefully) fully treat my disease. I am not writing this out of sympathy, those that truly know me understand that I am a strong woman. As an emotionally strong person, it is very difficult to speak of my weakness. However, being silent has not made any advancement in the treatment and cure of endometriosis. I am sharing my story for awareness.
Endometriosis is a serious gynecological disorder that causes severe pain, bladder and bowel issues, painful intercourse and infertility. The only way to diagnose and treat the disease of endometriosis is by a surgical procedure. It is also a progressive disease.
My name is Heather Pickens and I reside in Phoenix, AZ. I am 27 years old and am writing regarding my illness, Endometriosis and spreading awareness.
On August 26, 2014, I will go in for my first excision to (hopefully) fully treat my disease. I am not writing this out of sympathy, those that truly know me understand that I am a strong woman. As an emotionally strong person, it is very difficult to speak of my weakness. However, being silent has not made any advancement in the treatment and cure of endometriosis. I am sharing my story for awareness.
Endometriosis is a serious gynecological disorder that causes severe pain, bladder and bowel issues, painful intercourse and infertility. The only way to diagnose and treat the disease of endometriosis is by a surgical procedure. It is also a progressive disease.
Since the age of 13, I have had symptoms of endometriosis. I ignored and pushed through my symptoms until I was 25 and hit a road
block. I was bed ridden from the pain and almost lost my job due to the fact
that I was off work for six months.
During those six months, I could not function. Showering resulted in me returning to bed with damp hair. I couldn’t keep up with my house work properly and took a huge hit financially. My husband helplessly watched over me during one of the darkest periods of my life.
Since my diagnosis via laparoscopic surgery on November 7,
2012 I have had several painful treatments, physical therapy, four surgeries (one of which resulted in an overnight hospital stay, and another resulted in being sent
home with a catheter). Although I was able to become pregnant, I had a very traumatic labor that resulted in a cesarean. Four
surgeries in less than two years, and my excision on August 26, 2014 will be my
fifth surgery. This is unacceptable.
Young girls, teens, and women are suffering. It is time to break the silence.
Young girls, teens, and women are suffering. It is time to break the silence.
My story is not uncommon, and is definitely not the most
tragic. Many women are ignored, made to feel like drug seekers and are left
infertile. Others have lost their babies after pre-mature labor due to the
disease. It is the women that have suffered the most due to this God-awful
disease that I will use the voice and experiences that God gave me to speak of
this disease. I will never stop talking and raising awareness because I never,
and I mean NEVER want my daughter to experience a single moment of physical or
emotional pain that endometriosis can cause.
Please support the women of Arizona and the 176 million women worldwide who suffer from endometriosis in declaring March as Endometriosis Awareness Month.
Please support the women of Arizona and the 176 million women worldwide who suffer from endometriosis in declaring March as Endometriosis Awareness Month.
