For quite some time, I've suffered with lower back pain. I've tried chiropractors, medication, and Pilates. I've had x.rays and massages. It was only getting worse. So, I finally went to an orthopedic doctor who picked up on the fact that it might have been OB related. I immediately made an appointment with my OB who examined me and did an ultrasound. The suspicion was endometriosis.
So last week, I went in for a laparoscopy and my doctor said that as soon as she put the scope in she was amazed at how much endometriosis there was. I was covered. She used a laser to remove as much as she could, but later told me that she couldn't set the temperature low enough to get it off of some major blood vessels without damaging them in the process. A hysterectomy is in my future.
It feels very strange to me to diagnosed with something that is serious, but not life-threatening. It's like it's a big deal, but it's not. The thing that I can't stop praising my God for is the timing. I keep thanking Him for allowing the endometriosis to not grow and implant until my late 30's when I've had my three daughters. I remember early on discussing birth control with my husband, saying that I was scared to take it in my own hands and say I wanted to choose to have kids later in our marriage. I even expressed to him my fear of "controlling" it and missing my window or messing my body up in the process leaving me unable to have children.
I know this disease is a huge blow to many women because of it stripping them of the opportunity to bear children. So, I accept this diagnosis with praises on my lips to a God who kept it at bay until this time.
