Home / Power Stories / Tracy’s Story (Endometriosis)

Tracy’s Story (Endometriosis)

Tracy's Story (Endometriosis) My name is Tracy, and my story is a long one. I was a late bloomer, as they say. I did not start my period till mid-high school (2002). I was vomiting and in so much pain in the middle of  my classes. I dealt with this pain for years, till it became so debilitating on my body and mind that I would black out from the pain and exhaustion.

My doctors told me I was having stress migraines and prescribed me Zoloft. It was not working and I became extremely anemic. After a year (now 2008) of this pain and suffering, I was sent to a specialty OB/GYN. He was absolutely horrible but diagnosed me with severe endometriosis and set me up for emergency surgery. All of the sudden, I had less than a week to understand exactly what was happening to me. I had never even been sick or in a hospital for anything before. I was extremely scared. I had my first surgery in January 2008. I was in pain from the surgery for 3 months!!! I could barely get out of bed to use the restroom. I constantly needed help. During this time, my father left my mother and I decided to move back home because I could not afford rent and my mom needed me

The doctor I was seeing at the time put me on Depo-Provera shots every 6 weeks. I went from 118 lbs. (I’m 5’7”) to 165 lbs. within 3-4 months. I was diagnosed with a thyroid disease, severe anemia, and pre-diabetic; all from this simple little shot. I became so depressed that I took a leave of absence from my job, which I absolutely loved, for a very long 6 months. My body was completely screwed up and I didn’t even recognize myself. During those 6 months, I was able to gain control of my body again. I stopped the shots after three months, followed strict diets, and took the necessary medications. I lost all the weight, the thyroid disease and pre-diabetes disappeared.

I returned to work only to be assaulted while on the job, which physically disabled me. A few months after that (now in 2010), my new and completely awesome OB/GYN (the 5th one) said I needed another surgery for the endometriosis because it had spread to my intestines (doctors thought I had IBS,  and then Crohn’s). She insisted I see an oncologist, he was very eccentric and had suffered from throat cancer.  She recommended I see him before the surgery because she only performed surgeries with his help. After speaking with him, I got over the thought of a cancer doctor helping with my surgery, it made a lot of sense to me. Endometriosis is like a cancer; it spreads and spreads and causes intense pain.

The surgery was awesome! I had almost no pain, and was up and walking around 2-3 days after the surgery. They realized, while I was cut open, that the previous doctor had left my urethra out of place and that I had a tilted uterus. Despite the news, I felt great!!! It was great to know that I finally did not have to worry about my endometriosis, and I could deal with my workers compensation case from the assault.

I am now 28 years old, its 2012, and the pain is back. I fear daily that I will never be a mother. My boyfriend is not ready to have kids yet, even though he knows my situation. I have been battling endometriosis for almost ten years now. My greatest fear in life is that I will never experience pregnancy, child birth, or being a mother to my blood related child. I currently rely on Seasonique. I cannot stand the side effects of all the possible medication, and am not ready to lose by having a hysterectomy. I have taken so many pain medication between my endo and work comp injury, I was recently diagnosed with Gastroparesis (not a very fun disease at all). A normal stomach works at a minimum of 75% an hour, mine was only working about 18% an hour. So, not only do I refuse to take more pain pills, but my body cannot handle it.

I AM AN ENDO WARRIOR AND I WILL SURVIVE AND FIGHT TILL THE END BECAUSE I FIGHT LIKE A GIRL AND ALWAYS WILL!!!

Tracy T
California
Submitted 6-24-2012

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.

Check Also

arlene's story endometriosis

Arlene’s Story (Endometriosis)

Hi, I am a stage 4 endometriosis survivor. As a young lady, I always suffered …

3 comments

  1. Kelley

    Tracy can you please tell me where and what the pain was like. I have extreme pain in my right side, down my leg and around into my back. I have lost so much sleep from pain. A ob put me on the birth control pill and I ended up with a blood clot that went to both lungs. I am now on blood thinners for life and still in extreme pain. I believe I have endo but the 3 rd ob I have says she will not perform surgery on me because I’m high risk.im sick of the pain !!!!!! You are more then welcome to email me. Thanks Kelley

  2. Andrea

    Reading that makes me wonder if I ever had endometriosis. I am 37 with two daughters. A few months ago I found out that I had endometrial cancer and even though we wanted more children, I had a hysterectomy. I hate my hysterectomy. A few years ago I was sent to the hospital for horrible cramps and several doctors have said I either had Celiac disease, Crohn’s or IBS. I don’t know what to think. I just take a daily probiotic for whatever it is and still I have the stomach cramps, etc. I didn’t get my first period until I was 14 and I missed a lot of school after that. I would have cramps and migraine headaches. A few years ago I finally started taking pills for the migraines besides OTC stuff. I have also suffered through severe depression. I believe my past doctors to be negligent and incompetent. I was also on the bc pill for a number of years. They started me on it in middle school just because of my periods not because I was sexually active.

  3. Tiana

    Endometriosis is a crappy disease. I’ve been dealing with the pain of endometriosis since I was 12, but just got diagnosed a few years ago. (i’m 24}My main fear is not being able to have children as well. You are not alone and I hope you are able to have a happy and pain free life.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *