Start of another month

Start of another month.  Not feeling well at all.  So many things going on and running through my head.  Really don't know where to start with explaining how I feel.  I'm truly upset with the way things are going.  I've had many test ran on me for an upcoming trial study that I'm apart of.  Truly not feeling the vibe of the whole trial thing and I'm starting to reconsider my decision to be apart of it.  For starters its not what was discussed in my last meeting and now I'm told that I have no choice but to get my system shut down for 6 months to a year either through Lupron shots every month or taking a pill every month that I've never heard of and I dont know how this pill will affect my body so with that alone I'm highly afraid and starting to question things that I was told.  This is not an easy blog for me this is not an easy blog for me this month because aside from the pain my emotions are all over the placec and I'm doing the best I can to keep calm and not lose it.  I've gotta get some strength asap before I break from frustration.  God I need your help with this one.  Guide me through this process and help me to make the right decision for my body.

Every Moment Captured!!!!

Today has been a very trying day for me.  Early this am I went to work and did my duties but then suddenly took sick due to my endo pain striking me out of nowhere. I later had to get a biopsy and because I was already in pain that extra pressure didn't feel so well I cried like a baby.  But what is helping me to get through this day is that fact that I know God and I have to keep reminding myself that he will put no more on me than I can bear.  I am going to get through this trial with Elagolix and beat this pain and go on to be a great mother one day.  God is truly my resting place, my rock, my lord all my fears erased in him I find security and healing for my body.  I believe in his word and know that by his hand I am healed of this pain.  This has a purpose beyond my understanding but I know when I get through this I will be able to reach back and help someone else.  Life is all about reaching back and lending a helping hand to others and by helping others you in turn are healed. So I know that this is not just about me but other women and young girls who fighting this condition. I'm dedicating myself to document every part of my journey whether I want to or not.  My blog will show my good days, my bad days and everything in between because this is a real battle and just talking about it is nothing.  I will capture every moment this journey brings my way.  #TEAMFIGHTLIKEAGIRL#





biopsy done today..extremely painful.. I cried like a baby..sorry this was not a good day for me today but photos will be captured through my good & bad days..this is my Journey with Endometriosis

That Time of The Month..Ugh

Every month my cycle starts and for many women child bearing age that are ready to have children your praying that your cycle's late and you have some that pray it doesn't start so that they can avoid cramping and bloating to fit into those new jeans..lol. I on the other hand pray for endurance to last through the most difficult 5 days of my life. It does not matter if I start a week earlier with getting the medication in my system to ease the cramping "oh no, tried it and it doesn't seem to work." So the moment I see the first sight of light pink I hold on for dear life because I know exactly how this week in going to go. At one point I could lay down for a about an  hour and a half with my heating pad and wait but as soon as I get up to move around thinking it has ease. "Down Goes Frazier."  It feels like your insides are all being pulled and tugged at your entire abdomen hurts like HELL!!!  The part that gets to me the most beyond the cramps is the clotting. It's by far the worst part of my cycle. It stings and I cramp more when its on its way out. It makes you feel like your going to pass out and sends your entire body into shock.  Many days I just sat on the couch and shock from head to toe being in so much pain everything around you becomes invisible.  You can't think, talk, walk taking normal breaths becomes challenging. Some people would not believe this sometimes goes on throughout your entire cycle but it does for me and most women that I've met through twitter, facebook and other sites for women with my condition where we get together and share our stories and advice of just getting through the day itself.  But until we find a cure for this invisible illness I stick close to my permanent sidekicks that help get me through the week..my heating pad, my bed, my ritz crackers, my ginger ale and my ibuprofen/hydrocodone..

What is Endometriosis??? Signs, Symtoms and Treatment

Endometriosis

Consult a doctor if you have a medical concern.

Endometriosis is a female health disorder that occurs when cells from the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other areas of the body. This can lead to pain, irregular bleeding, and problems getting pregnant (infertility).

What is endometriosis (en-doh-mee-tree-OH-suhs)?

Endometriosis is a common health problem in women. It gets its name from the word, endometrium (en-doh-MEE-tree-um), the tissue that lines the uterus or womb. Endometriosis occurs when this tissue grows outside of the uterus on other organs or structures in the body.

Most often, endometriosis is found on the:

• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Tissues that hold the uterus in place
• Outer surface of the uterus
• Lining of the pelvic cavity

Other sites for growths can include the vagina, cervix, vulva, bowel, bladder, or rectum. In rare cases, endometriosis has been found in other parts of the body, such as the lungs, brain, and skin.

Symptoms of endometriosis can include:

• Very painful menstrual cramps; pain may get worse over time
• Chronic pain in the lower back and pelvis
• Pain during or after sex
• Intestinal pain
• Painful bowel movements or painful urination during menstrual periods
• Spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods
• Infertility or not being able to get pregnant
• Fatigue
• Diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods

How is endometriosis treated?

There is no cure for endometriosis, but there are many treatments for the pain and infertility that it causes. Talk with your doctor about what option is best for you. The treatment you choose will depend on your symptoms, age, and plans for getting pregnant.

Pain medication. For some women with mild symptoms, doctors may suggest taking over-the-counter medicines for pain. These include ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). When these medicines don't help, doctors may prescribe stronger pain relievers.

Hormone treatment. When pain medicine is not enough, doctors often recommend hormone medicines to treat endometriosis. Only women who do not wish to become pregnant can use these drugs. Hormone treatment is best for women with small growths who do not have bad pain. Hormones come in many forms including pills, shots, and nasal sprays. Common hormones used for endometriosis include:

• Birth control pills to decrease the amount of menstrual flow and prevent overgrowth of tissue that lines the uterus. Most birth control pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin. Once a woman stops taking them, she can get pregnant again. Stopping these pills will cause the symptoms of endometriosis to return.
• GnRH agonists and antagonists greatly reduce the amount of estrogen in a woman's body, which stops the menstrual cycle. These drugs should not be used alone because they can cause side effects similar to those during menopause, such as hot flashes, bone loss, and vaginal dryness. Taking a low dose of progestin or estrogen along with these drugs can protect against these side effects. When a woman stops taking this medicine, monthly periods and the ability to get pregnant return. She also might stay free of the problems of endometriosis for months or years afterward.
• Progestins. The hormone progestin can shrink spots of endometriosis by working against the effects of estrogen on the tissue. It will stop a woman’s menstrual periods, but can cause irregular vaginal bleeding. Medroxyprogesterone (muh-DROKS-ee-proh-JESS-tur-ohn) (Depo-Provera) is a common progestin taken as a shot. Side effects of progestin can include weight gain, depressed mood, and decreased bone growth.
• Danazol (DAY-nuh-zawl) is a weak male hormone that lowers the levels of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body. This stops a woman's period or makes it come less often. It is not often the first choice for treatment due to its side effects, such as oily skin, weight gain, tiredness, smaller breasts, and facial hair growth. It does not prevent pregnancy and can harm a baby growing in the uterus. It also cannot be used with other hormones, such as birth control pills.

Surgery. Surgery is usually the best choice for women with severe endometriosis — many growths, a great deal of pain, or fertility problems. There are both minor and more complex surgeries that can help. Your doctor might suggest one of the following:

• Laparoscopy can be used to diagnose and treat endometriosis. During this surgery, doctors remove growths and scar tissue or burn them away. The goal is to treat the endometriosis without harming the healthy tissue around it. Women recover from laparoscopy much faster than from major abdominal surgery.
• Laparotomy (lap-ar-AW-tuh-mee) or major abdominal surgery that involves a much larger cut in the abdomen than with laparoscopy. This allows the doctor to reach and remove growths of endometriosis in the pelvis or abdomen.
• Hysterectomy (his-tur-EK-toh-mee) is a surgery in which the doctor removes the uterus. Removing the ovaries as well can help ensure that endometriosis will not return. This is done when the endometriosis has severely damaged these organs. A woman cannot get pregnant after this surgery, so it should only be considered as a last resort.

My Daily Journey Living With Endometriosis...

Sometimes its so hard for me to even get out of bed due to the pain of endometriosis. Its by far the worst pain I've ever felt in my life.  Sometimes I feel as though I just want to rip out my uterus just to stop the pain.  Its truly affects every part of your  have life it basically controls you in a way.  Many people say that they have control over their condition and that their condition doesn't have control over them but the way I see it if you have to cancel appointments and stay in bed or take medication just to get through the day it truly has control over you.  Sometimes my pain is so bad it hurts to breathe.  I sometimes find myself gasping for air and crying uncontrollably to the point I have anxiety attacks back to back. There are days I can get up and get dress and walk out the door perfectly fine but that one wrong move for me getting in my car my day takes a sudden shift. There where many days I prayed for death just for the pain to stop.  I cried and cried and pleaded with God to take the pain away I couldn't take it another day living like this not knowing how or when it would strike up.  I felt like a helpless child balled up on the bathroom floor doing all I could to fight through the pain.  My mom and my brother and sister where my only source of some type of sanity. They sat with me throughout the night and help me every way they could never leaving my side for more than a few minutes.  I felt really bad many days that they had to take care of me because of my pain. Sometimes it would get so bad and unbearable I could control my body.  There have been many days that I urinated on myself from the pain and many vomiting sessions. Many nights and mornings I army crawled to the bathroom because I couldn't walk at all it becomes crippling many of days but with much prayer and inner strength I push through  it and do my best to put the best on the outside even though I want to give up on the inside.  I've missed out on so much due to my condition and even my job has become hard for me because my condition has put a strain on not only my body but my emotional state.  But everyday I wake up and I pray for strength just to make it through the day and whether in pain or just emotionally drained my God gets my praise in all things because I know that he will put no more on me than I can bear because the Joy of the Lord is my STRENGTH!!!!!!

My Life With Stage IV Endometriosis

Hello Everyone and Welcome to my blog on living with Endometriosis
This has truly been an exhausting and trying journey for me.  I was diagnosed two years ago and  I had no clue on how to deal with such news nor did I have a clue of what my condition was until after my first lap. surgery. For many years I battle with this condition but I always thought it was just my cycle and just to pop a few pain pills here and there I would be just fine.  But one summer I started having pains like my cycle every other day and I knew something was not normal about this pain. It would happen at any given time and whatever I was doing at the time had to come to a complete stop. This went on for years I went to Dr after Dr trying to figure out what was going on with me. I was back and forth to the hospital and only sent home with more pain pills.  It wasn't until my mom took me to her Gynecologist that I had to under go a pap and ultrasound and he found that I had cysts on my ovaries on the size of a tangerine and he decided to go in and perform exploratory surgery.  Since then it has been a none stop roller coaster in my life and my bed and heating pad have become my best friends.  I started this blog to share my story and to help no only myself cope with this condition but to give a listening ear and helping hand to other women and young girls like me who have no outlet or no one to turn to. Endometriosis is not a condition to be taken lightly it has been over looked for years but it needs to be brought to the forefront to raise awareness and help us find a cure. So throughout this journey I will blog each day on my health and how I fight through endo and facts and awareness to help my endo sisters all over the world...

#TEAMFIGHTLIKEAGIRL#ENDOMETRIOSIS#TEAMYELLOW4ENDO#