Life with Endometriosis
Unless they have it, no one truly understands what it's like to live every day with unbearable pain. A day in the life of a person with endometriosis or any other type of painful chronic condition starts the same way: it hurts too much to get out of bed and the fatigue is enough to … Continue reading Does it ever go away?
I look seven months pregnant... Which is ironic considering it is physically impossible for me to conceive. I'm missing the parts. It's been three days since my total hysterectomy. The procedure took four and a half hours. My doctor spent 30 minutes removing my uterus and the remaining four excising the endo from my colon … Continue reading Bladder trouble
Lying awake in my bed with yawn tears streaming down my face, but I'm not ready to sleep. I probably couldn't if I tried. Instead I'll just go over all the things I know could possibly go wrong. Or meditate on the kindness people have showed. I've had some really nice comments, messages, tweets, emails … Continue reading Just call me anxious
I met with my surgeon and his team last Friday to go over what I should expect for my hysterectomy next week. The surgery, which is scheduled for next Thursday, is Dr. Guan's first case of the day and should start promptly at 7:30 a.m. I'm supposed to arrive by 5:30 a.m. Meeting with Dr. … Continue reading Surgery Pre-op & what I’m told to expect
Reshared from my Instagram: As many of you already know, I’m having a hysterectomy in 15 days. I’ve had nearly six months (and most of my life) to really reflect on this decision, one that will change my life forever. As Mother’s Day approaches, I’m reminded of what I cannot have and what I will … Continue reading Hysterectomy
I'm coming up on one year since I had my surgery. The surgery that was supposed to relieve my pain. One year ago, my back was on fire, I was wrapped up in fetal position, and I was exhausted and depressed. Today, I'm all those things minus the depression. Did the surgery help? I believe … Continue reading Excision surgery
In the months since my surgery, I've been "diagnosed" with two other chronic ailments. Adenomyosis, which I discussed in a previous post, and interstitial cystitis, a painful bladder condition that also increases my need to go number one. I use the quotes on diagnosed because both of these condition, much like endo, require some work … Continue reading Endometriosis is a full-body disease
For about seven weeks all I could think about was the pain. My abdomen had swelled to the size of a watermelon. I had to pee every five minutes. I couldn't stand for more than three hours every day. I could FEEL my uterus inside my body, burning and twisting, trying to claw its way … Continue reading Two months post op
But Sunday, I downed a slider, a handful of French fries and half a pickle mozzarella stick. Yum.
My belly also looks slightly less bloated. It still feels tender and if I let up on the vicodin, excruciating pain follows
My body has changed so much after the endometriosis surgery. I know it's still too early and that in a week it will look entirely different. I've never seen it this big before. Even after my recent appendectomy, my abdomen didn't swell or bruise this bad. Here's a before and after: In the before shot, … Continue reading Belly button