A bit about me, as it's Endometriosis awareness month. I thought I would share my story. Not quite book related. As such. But suffering from this from such a young age, I guess really contributed to my love of books. When you suffer from a debilitating illness, and spend many a day in bed or in hospital, or at home recovering from yet more surgery, then books played a big part in my recovery process. I was diagnosed in 1994 with Endometriosis. I went on to have numerous surgeries to help control it. I had laparoscopies, laser surgery. I endured horrible fertility treatment including 2 failed attempts at IVF. We were told many years ago we would never have children So we learnt to live our life the best we could around my illness. in 2008 due to more complications I had to have one of my tubes and ovary removed. So any minuscule chance of children I had (because not matter what dr's told me, while i still had half my bits there was always that little hope in the back of my mind) was now halved. But after that surgery i felt a slight improvement, the pain wasn't as bad for quite a while, and again we just plodded along with life. In 2009 16 years of trying for this baby I would never concieve. I found out I was pregnant. I still don't know to this day what made me do a test that day, but something made me do one. I sat down and cried, laughed, shouted screamed. I telephoned my consultant, who I think by this stage just thought I had lost the plot. He asked me to go see him, there and then. And carried out blood tests and scans, and yes I was pregnant. My little mirracle was born January 2010. 3 week prem weighing just 3lb 15oz. She was so tiny but so perfect. I had been told for many years that the only thing for me was a full hysteretomy. I am so glad that I always refused this. However in 2013 I finally gave in and had a full Hyst. And I have not looked back since. i have become a mummy, but a mummy that is no longer lay in bed constantly suffering. i am finally able to live life, and live it with a precious little girl. She is now 5 years old. And the best thing that ever happened to me. What is endometriosis? Endometriosis (pronounced end - oh – mee – tree – oh – sis) is a condition where the endometrial cells lining the womb migrate to other parts of the body. Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape. It is a chronic and debilitating condition that causes painful or heavy periods. It may also lead to infertility, fatigue and bowel and bladder problems. Around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with the condition. Endometriosis can affect all women and girls of a childbearing age, regardless of race or ethnicity. Every month a woman’s body goes through hormonal changes. Hormones are naturally released which cause the lining of the womb to increase in preparation for a fertilized egg. If pregnancy does not occur, this lining will break down and bleed – this is then released from the body as a period. In endometriosis, cells like the ones in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body. These cells react to the menstrual cycle each month and also bleed. However, there is no way for this blood to leave the body. This can cause inflammation, pain and the formation of scar tissue. Endometriosis can have a significant impact on a woman’s life in a number of ways, including:
It’s important to remember that:
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