So 2yrs on from diagnosis I was back to Square 1, consistant pain on a day to day basis, nausea, fatigue, fighting to get through each day.
Finally after 12 months if waiting surgery day was here. I was more anxious about what they would find rather than the actual surgery.
Here I am booked in and waiting for my slot on the operating table, to sliced, diced and burnt to get rid of the gremlins inside causing me days of endoproblems.
I finally head down to the operating theatre at 11.30am, laid in the pre op room getting hooked up to needles and wires, the team did everything possible to keep me calm and positive which worked, even the newbie trying to stick a needle in my hand, after the 4th attempt it was in. Next thing I know they put a mask over my face a couple if deep breaths and I was gone.
Two and half hours later I slowly wake up in recovery, and the one thing and only thing I asked was to check that I didn’t have a stomach pump. Thank God. An hour later I was back on the ward, still drowsy but very little pain which was heaven. Few hours later I was awake and feeling a little uncomfortable, I was visited by one of the consultant’s team to feedback on what they had found and done.
As luck would have it the 1st incision he went in the left side rather than through my belly button due to previous surgery scar. As he went in my bowel was attached to my belly button and everything, womb, overy, bladder was all stuck together to my bowel.
Five incisions later, 3cysts drained and removed, everything unstuck and back into their original place and endo burnt off. Surprisingly I didn’t have much pain, sore and uncomfortable for a couple of weeks. The main discomfort was from the incisions, especially a couple of them
Unfortunately a couple of incisions became infected and dissolving stitches weren’t dissolving but once they were out I felt really good.
2months on I am in very minimal pain, however I am yet to experience good old AF, so in a few weeks we will see if surgery has made a difference in that area to.
I just want to thank everyone who has got me to where I am now. I know I wad not the easiest person to be around so thank you.
It has been the longest 3 months of my life so far. In 9 days time I get time meet with my surgeon to discuss when I will have surgery, even thou its only an appointment and no doubt I will have to wait so many months before actually having surgery its a step closer.
Let me start from the beginning. In June 2011 I was admitted into hospital due to an endo flare up that I was unable to get under control, this is where I found out that the cyst on my left pelvic wall had grown to about 5cm within 3 months and a 2nd cyst had appeared behind my uterus which was also about 5cms. The consultant who is the only one who has truly supported me on this journey came to see me and explained what was going on and recommended urgent surgery. As I am under a specialist already she faxed over to the consultant to inform of this which she gave me a copy for my records. I was discharged feeling somewhat deflated as a year after an oopherectomy I felt I was in a worse situation with my endo than I was a year ago.
Between June and August I had an appointment with my consultant who had me referred for a scan and MRI along with blood tests as my CA125 levels were high which is common with Endo but also is a marker for cancer. Great I thought just chuck something else into the pot to worry about. In September I went back for all my results to find that the 2 cysts I already had had grown significantly, my left tube was blocked, another cyst (6cm) had developed on my right ovary along with my bowel, bladder and uterus stuck together. Out of all this this the one good piece of news was that the MDT did not feel it was cancer. It was agreed that I would be referred to and Endometriosis surgeon consultant, finally I step closer to having this all removed again and back to feeling somewhat normal. But boy I was wrong………..
In October 2012 I finally met with my surgeon and for the 1st time since being diagnosed someone sat down and talked through my condition. I found out that I have 3 out of 4 types of endometriosis, 1. endometriosis of the stomach lining, 2. Ovarian endometriosis 3. Nodule endometriosis (adhesion’s of the organs). He also explained to me the types of surgery he can do to help alleviate the pain I am experiencing. I was put on treatment for 3 months and sent away to think about my options. At this point my heart sunk, another 3 months of pain, another 3 months of fatigue, another 3 months for endo to grow and I have seen how quickly it has grown in under 2 months.
Anyhow here I am 9 days left and cannot wait to get to my appointment, It has been very difficult coping with the pain and the emotions that this has brought with it. In November 2011 I even ended up back in hospital due to endo flare up but fingers crossed this was my last admission and I have somehow managed to work through each day and survive.
I never though I would get to a point that I am eager for surgery, but my god I need it, I do not know how much longer I can go on fighting each day as I am tired and struggling each day to smile to the world.
Endometriosis ~ My Journey 