Kathleen’s Story (Endometriosis)

I fight like a girl every day of my life. First, let me thank all my family, friends, and God, who fight this trying battle with me everyday. I would also like to thank those special endo sisters that I have met online and through support groups. My heart is overwhelmed with the love and support that we give each other.

I have had endometriois for over 15 years now. For me it was really hard to hear/get this diagnosis. I have been to so many doctors who poked and drugged me with unanswered questions. I had medications that made me sick to the point that I could not work some days. But one day I went to a doctor, an angel I believe in every sense of the word, because he took my cries seriously. He was worried, he listened, and he understood my pain. I told him about my years of suffering and bleeding threw the back and front. He mentioned the word endometriosis to me. I did not know one thing about it and did not even research it. He suggested a doctor and surgery. At this point I was willing and ready to do it. I wanted to feel better and finally be pain free.

After my first surgery I was excited because finally I thought it was going to be over. I remembered waking up from surgery and looking down at me belly, there was an awful bandage all over it. I was in too much pain to even move. Then the doctor came into the room when I was awake and said, “Kathleen, you have endometriosis. Everything in your belly was fused up. Your uterus and intestines fused together.” I was like hmm. I looked at the ceiling for hours in a trance. He said that I would need further treatment but at this point I still thought it’s all going to be over soon.

I took time recovering, and then started on a six month treatment on Zoladex. I had hot flashes, and I felt sick everyday. The treatment did not work for me. Pretty soon as I was back in surgery again, this time having to take out my left ovary and tube. The uterus fused again with my intestines. I also had surgery to the back mainly because of heavy bleeding. Endometriosis is a battle of a lifetime. It’s stronger than any medications I have ever used. I live at the doctors. I have gotten use to huge needles, and medications, and the medical center is my second home, and I have pain every day of my life.

Sometimes I am ashamed to tell people that I am not feeling well because of the fear that they won’t believe that someone could be sick so much. Sometimes you may look at me and say, “You look fine,” I get that a lot. I push and fight. I work even though I am in pain, I laugh when I feel I need to cry, I love kids, even though I may not be able to have any. But I can’t fight God’s will for me. I hope for a cure, but my biggest desire is for girls who may already have signs and symptoms to get an early diagnoses and find true love and support. Prayer is important, ask me, I went trough hell and back. I may not be able to tell you all of my experiences but I can tell you that the lord is great. He has his hands on us. Praise him and he will bless you with the strength and courage that you may need to fight life battles.

At present with my last check up I was told that the lining of my uterus is extremely thick and something else is growing, but further test are needed. Hopefully, I will have answers soon. I continue to pray and fight like a girl. We must stand together and fight for our cause. Our voices will be heard, it’s not in our head, we feel pain…

Kathleen
Trinidad
Submitted 6-23-2013

The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.

This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.