The following Endo Journey is Lynn Nelson's personal struggle with endometriosis. I am happy to share Lynn's story and hope that you also find it inspiring:
Over the years, I had always had trouble with my cramps and
periods. Never thought much of it, until I was with my long term
boyfriend and intercourse became extremely painful. It wasn't enjoyable
anymore. So I went to the doctor to get an ultrasound. I got the call
back, and I went into the office assuming the worst.
I was informed that
I had an ovarian cyst on my left ovary. He informed me that it wasn't a
major concern and sent me to a Gyno. The Gyno did the regular check up
and said it would eventually rupture and I could move on with my life.
Well, it didn't get better. It actually got worse.
So a few months
later, I went to another doctor and requested an ultrasound. I got the
call back informing me that they referred me to another Gyno and that
there weren't any concerns, again. I wasn't even in the doctors office 5
minuets when he informed me I would need surgery, to remove the cyst.
It had begun to pull on my ovary and was clearly causing lots of pain.
It was also growing in size. We booked surgery to happen a few months
later.
He informed me that he wanted to take photos, so I
could see the cause of the pain. After waking up from surgery, I was a
mess. I was so nauseous and I felt like crap. I went to leave, and I was
informed that he only prescribed me T3's, after pumping me full of the
good stuff. So the nurse on duty, gave me something to cope with the
pain. I wasn't due for my after surgery check up for 4 weeks.
In those 4
weeks, I was a mess.
Always in pain, bloated and cranky. Once those 4
weeks were up, my boyfriend and I went into the office with light
spirits, but left with heavy hearts. See, the photos I was given, I
assumed were of my cyst and then the one with the cyst removed. We were
totally wrong.
The doctor informed me that sometime before
surgery, my cyst had ruptured. And in fact, I have Stage 2
Endometriosis, teetering on Stage 3. Because I was so use to the pain,
the cyst rupturing felt like nothing. He explained that the scar
tissuing was causing all the pain and that when I bled, it bled. It
explained it all. The pain, the random cramps. He went on to tell us
that fertility could be effected by it, but it wasn't a for sure. I was
only 19, I was devastated. To know that I WILL have to endure more
surgeries in my future and that I may not be able to conceive a child of
my own, really hit hard.
I was blessed with a boyfriend that got it
all. He would get me heating pads, pain meds and do whatever he could do
to help me during those rough times.
Unfortunately, we aren't together
anymore. And to be with new people, intimately is tough. I don't know
how to tell them that sex may hurt me and we will have to stop. None the
less, I'm stuck with the rest of my life and in due time I will figure
out how to tell others.
I feel like everyday is a battle with
my body. I'm currently on the Depo shot, which helps out a ton. I'm
blessed enough to not get my period on it, but if I'm late in updating
it, I get the worse periods. They can paralyze me and make me incapable
of doing anything. On the outside, I look like a care free young adult.
On the inside, I'm slowing deteriorating from pain.
It's life as I know it though.
Thank you for sharing your story, Lynn. You are a very strong woman. It isn't fair that we have to suffer for so long before getting the answers we deserve.
Despite having a difficult time with doctors, Lynn continued to fight to get answers for her pain. Her story is very encouraging. She is an amazing example of the courage and strength!
If you would like to share your personal Endo Journey, please leave a comment below or e-mail helloendoblog@gmail.com
xo Heather
