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How Endometriosis Changed My Life
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About Me . . . .
My name is Kelly Tucker and I have spent the last fourteen years of my life suffering from Endometriosis. I am 38 years old and have lost one of the most important things in my life, the ability to conceive naturally, and for that reason I am dedicating myself to educating and helping other women with this condition.
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What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic disease medically defined as: Endometrium including both endometrial glands and stroma in an ectopic location. Lay persons definition: tissue similar to the lining of the uterus that is found living outside the uterus, usually in the female pelvis.
Endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterus), whether it is inside or outside the uterus, responds to the rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone produced by the ovaries during the reproductive cycle. Under the influence of the hormones, the misplaced tissue swells; and when hormonal levels drop, the tissue may bleed. Unlike the normally situated endometrium, which is shed from the body as menstrual discharge, this blood and tissue have no outlet. It remains to irritate the surrounding tissue and may produce "web-like" growths of scar tissue called adhesions. The scar tissue can bind the pelvic organs and even cover them entirely. Bands of scar tissue may bind the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and nearby intestines together. Therein creating pain and infertility.
Endometriosis is a disease affecting one in four women. Although it attacks the reproductive system, it can spread throughout the body including the lungs, liver, diaphragm and even the brain. Early, proper diagnosis may help prevent the spread.
There is no known cure for endometriosis. There are no definitive answers as to why some women develop it and some women don't. Too many women are suffering now and that's reality. My objective is to educate both the lay and medical communities by opening the door to PUBLIC AWARENESS to this horrific disease. Endometriosis has been a well kept secret for too long.
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My Personal Story
I was diagnosed with Stage IV Endometriosis in 1992. This is my story.
Although I was first diagnosed in 1992, my symptoms prior to diagnosis lead to the belief Endometriosis had been in my body for quite some time. I have had six Exploratory Laparoscopies consisting of adhesiolysis, ureterolysis, excision and adhesiectomy, chromotubation and an unsuccessful pre-sacral neurectomy. I have had two ectopic pregnancies and have been told the damage to my tubes is too severe for any chance of natural conception. I do not want pity nor sympathy, just answers.
I was married just one week when I was diagnosed with endo. Prior to my diagnosis, I suffered from severe cramps and pain, before, during and after menses, and my periods were always long and heavy. My symptoms began to worsen shortly after the death of my mother in July, 1992. This was a very traumatic time for me and I was in a state of depression several months following her death. I had met my husband a few months before my mother died and we had a very sexual relationship and I had never experienced any sort of pain. Within a few weeks after the funeral, I began having excruiating pain during sex and was dumbfounded as to what was going on. When the pain continued, I immediately contacted my physician and was scheduled for my first laparoscopy. This resulted in my endo diagnosis. I was married less than one week prior to this lap and was told when I was diagnosed, "the only cure is to get pregnant".
Since that time in 1992, the emotional and physical stress turned into anger and self-insecurity. My husband had an affair the first year after my diagnosis and I was so confused and hurt. I was suffering from a disease I knew nothing about, so I decided | |||||||||||