Well, it seems as though I've reached the inevitable point that my body has been approaching for the last five or six years. Okay, that's probably a little too dramatic. Let's try again. It's not normal to be in pain every day, so I've finally decided that it's the right time to have a laparoscopy done to visually confirm my diagnosis of endometriosis and to see just how severe it is. I have my pre-op appointment on the 18th, and then surgery on the morning of August 23rd.
I'm sure that most of you who might be reading are already familiar with these next few terms, thanks to my desensitization regarding the use of words like "ovary," "cycle," and "uterine tissue" in everyday conversation. I really do need to apologize to some of my male friends for that one.
For clarity's sake though, endometriosis is a disease in which deposits of endometrial tissue, such as that found lining the walls of the uterus, are found in other areas of the abdomen. These adhesions act and react to hormones within the body just as the tissue within the uterus does, causing cyclical internal bleeding and, consequently, varying amounts of pain and discomfort for those who have the disease, not to mention a high percentage of infertility. (Strangely enough, there has been no correlation found between the amount of pain experienced and the actual degree of severity of the endometriosis in patients.)
The laparoscopy is a procedure in which gas is used to distend the abdomen and an OB/GYN inserts a small fiberoptic microscope through an incision around the navel to observe the internal organs. If endometrial tissue is present, they can laser remove it and collect tissue samples for biopsy.
Sheesh. While I'm really glad that we'll finally get to know just how bad things are in there, I'm not looking forward to the few days that I won't be able to bend much or pick up heavy objects (22lb. baby, anyone?). Plus, because of the anesthesia and pain medications after the surgery, I won't be able to nurse Dinobaby for the first days of recovery. We'll see how all of that pans out. Thankfully, my parents will be able to come down to help us while my husband is at work. It's going to be a busy time. Monday, surgery. Wednesday, close on the house! What a week.
Please keep me in your prayers. :)
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I know what you mean with "NFP words" :) I mentioned the moon once and how it (is supposed to) correspond to ovulation and the girl I was talking to said "OMG, I had forgotten that ovulation was even a word." Silly non-TTC folks, right? ;)
ReplyDeletePrayers on the way for you! Glad your parents will be able to help. Hope the surgery goes smoothly. Blessings!
Thanks so much, Anne!
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to forget that stuff like that can weird people out. I told a seminarian friend about endometriosis once and just said that it was training for his pastoral counseling down the road!