Be encouraged!
Hi Julianne,
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis and surgery! I first of all want to thank you for sharing your story. Endometriosis affects 10% (of what we know - it is believed that most cases aren't diagnosed) of women. For those suffering of endometriosis, it seems that not much is done in the way of research or help. With you courageously sharing your story, I hope that more attention will be brought to finding a cure to the disease.
I was diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis after having to go to the ER in extreme pain. I've since had two laparoscopies, was on Lupron for six months, and have been on multiple forms of birth control to try to curb the pain and growth of the disease. The information out there can be quite discouraging, especially if you hope to have children some day. I want to share with you my encouraging story - I was told by one doctor I had a 5% chance of ever having children. This past July my husband and I welcomed our new baby girl - Elizabeth Grace (her name means God's promise and blessing). Pregnancy is possible! I strongly believe her life was an answer to prayer, and I'm definitely going to be praying for you!!!!
After researching and trying EVERY solution under the sun, I found the best help from acupuncture and herbs. It was the last thing I tried, because I wasn't too sure about eastern medicine. But it has helped me more then any hormones, surgery, natural remedies, etc. I was on pain killers 2 - 3 weeks a month, and after three months of treatment from acupuncture and herbs, I only had to take pain killers one day a month - and then we got pregnant! The acupuncturist I see, Colleen Smith from Point of Origin, has a huge heart for women in pain with endometriosis. She is a Christian, was previously an RN and studied acupuncture in China. Her website is: http://www.spokaneacupuncture.com
Another thing I have learned is the importance of finding a knowledgeable doctor who is encouraging and sensitive to your pain. I had one really bad doctor, but now I have a great doctor who was recommended by the Endometriosis Association.
Keep postive, stay encouraged! Thank you again for sharing your story! You have always been my favorite dancer on DWTS and I always root for you! You will definitely be in my prayers!!!
"Nothing is imipossible with God." Luke 1:38
Heather
NoEndo - will be my new license plate
I love the fact that we women sooooo come together to love, care and support one another. It's great being a woman! Altho, I too suffered severely with Endo and I am 38yrs old. Luckily I had already had my three children and that put me in another category of "women who have endo after child bearing" which is not "common" so they say. There's so little known about endo so THANK YOU, THANK YOU for making it known on national tv. I actually went to Cedars Sinai earlier this year (Jan 2008) and their medication worked for a while but not for long. I also had my appendix taken out because of Endo and had many gastrointestinal issues as well. I am now PAIN FREE after 5 long years thanks to a wonderful doctor in Los Gatos, California, Dr. Andrew S. Cook/Vital Healthcare Institute (drcook.com) who performed my surgery in June 2008. I had researched his info when Cedars told me there was nothing else they could do for me (April 2008). I have excellent insurance so money was not the issue;lack of knowledge was. The president of the San Francisco chapter of the Endometriosis Association (endometriosisassn.org), Peggy Santa Maria is also affiliated with Dr.Cook's office (Vital Healthcare Institute) and she is an ANGEL. Her support and assistance was invaluable. If anyone reading this needs help with endo, please call Dr. Cook's office (Vital Healthcare Institute) at 408-358-2511 and tell them Kelli sent you! You can also contact Peggy Santamaria at (endonme@comcast.net). Dr. Cook specializes in ENDO and problems with ENDO only; he's not a general gynecologist, therefore he spends his days performing delicate surgeries, continuing research and has dedicated his life to helping women with this horrible disease. You can beat Endo with proper care from a great doctor and as most of us know, most of the doctors out there are horrible and not helpful. I am NOT on any pain medications or anything else. Dr. Cook's office is currently writing my story along with many other women's success stories so if you see it in your local magazine, pick it up, read it and keep it for another woman who may need it. If anyone would like to reach me for assistance, I can be reached at kellsbusiness@yahoo.com; please put "Endo Info" in the subject line for easy referencing. For those needing help with Endo, take down all the helpful info you can find cause as you will find out, its tough to go it alone. You're not alone Julianne and neither are any of you women with Endo. My prayers are with you and all who suffer with this disease. I saw a comment from Lori from Indianapolis offering assistance and I wanted to add to the "assistance" as well. May all of you be well and kick Endo butt!
10/30/2008 11:42 AM (GMT-08:00)