I am 35 years old, living with stage IV Endometriosis, possibly adenomyosis and struggled with infertility for almost 4 years. I also struggled with PPD and now struggle with PMDD. I am a mother to a son that was born at 18 weeks and too precious for this earth; and now a mother to a son born in August 2011. By journaling here, I hope to benefit both for myself and for others that are dealing with this disease and fertility struggles. Thanks for visiting!





Sunday, June 21, 2009

ICLW time again!

Welcome ICLWers! Just a quick snippet of my blog:

I'm 29 and I have stage IV endometriosis.

It was an interesting battle to get diagnosed, but, I had my first laparoscopy in Feb 2008. After a course of Lu.pron for treatment, I was back to square 1 by Dec of the same year.

I had my 2nd lap for my endo in Mar 2009, and a hysteroscopy in Apr 2009 to remove polyps.

We've been TTC since Apr 2007. We went through our first cycle of IVF in April/May 2009. My right ovary wasn't much help (it didn't produce any viable eggs)-my endometrioma came back 6 weeks post-op. Fortunately it was relatively easy to drain during my egg retrieval, and, it hasn't grown much since then. But, it's lurking; we are racing against time to get pregnant before it causes another surgery.

Our first round unfortunately ended in a miscarriage. Our 2nd round of IVF is coming up, beginning the supression meds July 8th, and, hopefully with a very successful and sustaining BFP around August 10th. We are VERY eager to get started!!!!

Thanks for visiting and I look forward to reading your blogs!!!

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(Just in case you're not familiar)
What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease. It occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus (tissue called the endometrium) is found outside the uterus -- usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus; the area between the vagina and rectum; the outer surface of the uterus; and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Other sites for these endometrial growths may include the bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix, vulva, and in abdominal surgical scars. Less commonly they are found in the lung, arm, thigh, and other locations.

This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does: each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina, but the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation -- and can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems.

Diagnosis is considered uncertain until proven by laparoscopy, a minor surgical procedure done under anesthesia. A laparoscopy usually shows the location, size, and extent of the growths. This helps the doctor and patient make better treatment choices. The average time to diagnosis is about 8-10 years!!!!

17 comments:

Dawn said...

Hi. Endometriosis is such a misunderstood diagnosis. The Creating a Family show this week, June 24, will be on endometiosis and I mentioned to someone at church that I was immersed in research about endometiosis in preparation for the show. She said that she had it and it was easy to cure and didn't affect her fertility! It was kind of like, what's the big deal?!? We'll have one of the leading researchers in this field as our guest, so feel free to email me any questions either you have or comments that you can make to help others with this disease. You can mail your questions to dawn @creatingafamily.com (delete the space). I wish you success soon!!!

..al said...

Hey there..thanks for the intro and I hope you get that August BFP!

Good Luck!

ICLW

Anonymous said...

Hey! Thanks for visiting my blog. I am also an endo chick. I'm sorry for your loss and I really hope that August brings success.

EEMiles said...

Good luck!!! We have our consult/results meeting on the 8th...Hopefully it's a good day for everyone!!!
*iclw*

K said...

Hi, I also have endo and had laparoscpy and hysteroscopy when trying to get pregnant a number of years ago... after all that we ended up seeing a naturopath who specialises is fertility who was very careful to make sure both my husband and I were in very good health before we conceived so we spent lots of time and money on herbs and vitamins and stopped drinking and smoking and had regular exercise... after a year we were very frustrated by the lack of pregnancy and went to see an IVF doctor... but ended up not needing his services as I was actually pregnant!! I now have three kids and had no trouble at all conceiving the second two so hopefully once your body knows what it's doing you'll be OK. The reason I found your site is that I seem to have cyclical pain under my left ribcage and was wondering if that might be endo related....

My Endo Journey said...

K-
Although I did not have any visable endo that they could tell from their perspective during my 2nd lap, I believe it's an inflammation process cause by my endo. I had the same familiar pains right after my miscarriage when I had fluid building up around my right ovary. They are definitely related, IN MY OPINION, in my case...but, to what extent I'm just not sure. Good luck, and, thanks for sharing your story!

Thanks Erin-best of luck to you as well!!! :)

Alex said...

I'm still praying for you girlie!!! I SO hope this next round is it for you guys!!! I'm so glad that your insurance will take care of another round, thats gotta be a huge relief! Keep us updated, I'm so hopeful for you!!! :)

ICLW:)

Beautiful Mess said...

I didn't know all of that about endometriosis! Thank you for the info. I've never had that before, I've had endometritis, but that's not even a little bit the same. Good luck with your cycle in August! Sending you lots of good JUJU!
*HUGS/ICLW*

Melissa G said...

Wow you've been through so much! I really hope this cycle is a success for you.

I look forward to your updates!

iclw

Anonymous said...

I'm very hopeful that you will get your BFP in August! Keeping you in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to drop by and say hi :).

Hope you're doing okay and not going nuts passing the time 'til August.

devon said...

Wow...I am so glad I came across your blog tonight... I just found out last week after my laparoscopy to unblock my tubes, that I have stage 4 endo. I was shocked, disappointed, and scared. My doctor has reccommended a 6 mth round of Lupron. I've been researching it and I'm scared to death of it!!! Was it as bad as I've read/heard???

Unknown said...

Look forward to seeing you get preggers!

Alana said...

Great intro.

Good luck with a BFP! :)

*ICLW*

Mrs. Gamgee said...

Thanks for the clear description of endo... I kinda knew what it was before, but now I understand it better. I hope and pray that this next round of IVF is THE one for you!

~ICLW

Fat Chick said...

Good luck on the IVF! Are you on cyclesisters? I love that blog.

ICLW

Maggie May said...

I just posted about my own problems and healing with endometriosis and find it really interesting to read your own experience. I hope you get pregnant, I am trying for my third, so It can be done!