Endometriosis

Endometriosis Update

The Fight Continues...

Hello there! All of 3 years have passed since I first shared about my experience with this disease. It was just a few weeks ago I realized that I found out I had this disease during Endometriosis Awareness Month, ironic, don't you think?  Now here we are exactly 3 years later! Wow! This is an awesome reminder that brighter days are always ahead, our temporary uncomfortable and seemingly overwhelming situations are NOT permanent!  Thank you Jesus!

March 22, 2018 proved how limited and one sided our prayers and attitude to life can be. I prayed several prayers about what my limited mind knew and felt about my then condition. That day I had surgery to removed what I presumed was my biggest hindrance - Fibroids. I never once thought for a moment that I could have had another condition. Looking back now, it was a huge eye opener and a disappointing time in my life. I trusted my doctors and their initial diagnosis and it left me feeling upset, frustrated and depressed. We've heard it being said many times - this too shall pass - and my friend, it certainly did. While this new found disease brought more questions than answers, my mind was and is still being renewed to approach my concerns differently and this my friend is why we are having this conversation today.

A brief history before diagnosis:

As far back as I can remember, I always had terrible cramps. I missed days in primary school because of the pain. Panadol and over the counter pain medications did little to help and my mother and those around sometimes responded to my "extraness" as intentional. This continued into my high school years with the pain increasing, unable to eat while menstruating and frequent vomiting episodes. I thought it was normal and women are just unfortunate beings - Thanks Eve!  Fast forward a few years after, one day I started bleeding spontaneously one week after menstruating and I went to the hospital. I did the usual ultrasound and a physical where the doctor told me she could 'feel' my fibroids. An ultrasound later confirmed her suspicion. I was advised to have a child and consider removing them in the next 2 -3 years. Weeeelllll lol my body decided otherwise because within 8 months my fibroids grew 3 times the size they were and started shifting organs and protruded my tummy among countless discomfort. I was scheduled for surgery on March 22, 2018 - one of the happiest days of my life to date or so I thought. I don't think many understood the demand on my body and mind from all the frequent hospital visits, countless injections to manage my pain and overall discomfort while having to show up at work and perform. I wanted my life back and if this surgery meant that then I am readddyyy. Again lol my body decided otherwise. I woke up from my 3 1/2 hours surgery feeling satisfied and contented until my doctor informed me that after removing 8 fibroids, they have now found the real source of my challenges - Endometriosis. 

How has my life been since:

I can safely say that I am in the best place of my life mentally and emotionally. I have tried countless things to help with my pain management over the years which are not limited to: countless pain relievers, Depo Injection, contraceptive pills, morphine injection, CBD oil and changing my diet. I started treating endo like an enemy. An enemy whose intention is to rob me of my peace, ability to conceive and enjoying moments in my life. I just wasn't ready to be controlled by this disease, as a result I planned strategies to help my body to move my legs when all I wanted to do was stay in bed and cried out of frustration and pain. It started with a shift in mindset and then later progressed with an attitude to fight. I fight to maintain my joy, to listen to my body and not complain that I am being lazy when I am immobilized by pain, to laugh more, to look for opportunities to make others laugh more, to share all the information I know about this awful to disease and help others fight on their journey. I currently managed my symptoms with a change of diet and pain relievers. My pain is now limited to my menstrual cycle. Some days I am not in pain but the walls of my uterus feels badly bruised and my back feels like someone is beating a drum using hot iron rods coupled with excessive bloating.

I am cognizant that I might have to do another surgery soon as my pain has become worse but controlled and fibroids are back.

I believe and know that God can do all things but fail. Let us hold unswervingly to him because he who promised is faithful. There are so many things that has happened along this journey that leaves me baffled but I know more than ever that I am blessed in my joys and blessed in my sorrows. 

My HOPE moving forward:

• I hope a cure will be found for this disease. 
• I hope that by the grace of God I can and will have my child. 
• I hope to encounter a love in my future spouse that makes the painful days null in comparison.
• I hope that every woman will realize that her ability to carry a child does not define her worth as a woman. 
• I hope that each woman who has extend her faith to believe God for the seemingly impossible will soon hear, "...and God remembered 'inserts your name here"
• I hope women will find caring doctors who will walk with them on their journey.
• I hope that God will grant peace to every anxious heart that has just found out they have this disease.