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 Hello from California! 
First, a little bit about me! I have been married since 1992 to a wonderful and supportive man who has held my hand through years of medical issues. We have been blessed with two “miracle” boys and we live in a small town in Central California near my husband’s family. I enjoy traveling around the state with my family, participating in church activities, reading a good book, and creating projects on my computer. If you ask anyone who knows me, you will be told I also love to talk! 
I am the oldest of five girls and my father has always regretted not buying stock in one of the many “feminine hygiene” companies! He could have become quite rich by now since most of us had very heavy periods! Actually, we should have just started our own company and created our own brand of products!
I was a late bloomer and didn’t started my period until I was 14 years old. My cycle was not regular and my periods were always long and heavy (10-15 days), complete with clots and accidents. I can remember rushing to the restroom after each class, hoping I would make it before another flood. A few months before I married, I decided to try birth control pills to see if they would help with my cycles. My periods did shorten a bit (7-10 days) and weren’t quite as heavy as they had been, though I still have clots and accidents. The pill did keep me on a schedule which helped a lot and prevented extra periods I didn’t need!
In September of 1998 I started to bleed between my periods and I ended up bleeding almost daily for two years. My doctors tried a variety of birth control pills and I even stopping taking the pills altogether to see if that would help. A laparoscopy in September of 2000 finally gave us the cause for all the bleeding: stage IV endometriosis. The endo was extensive enough that my GYN informed me that the two children I had were miracle babies because I should have had fertility issues.
I did a lot of research regarding endometriosis and sat down and talked with both my family doctor and my GYN about all of my options. I also spoke with other knowledgeable medical professionals about their opinions and experiences with endometriosis patients. After asking all of my questions and consider the all of the options, it was determined that my only real option was a hysterectomy. So on November 14, 2000, at the age of 25, I had a laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH).
Unfortunately, my story is not one of the happily ever after ones. Because of complications, I had a very long recovery that affected not only me but my entire family. My health took a turn for the worse and it was years (and another surgery) before I started to feel like me again. Additionally, I started experiencing pelvic pain for the first time in my life. That pain steadily increased over the years until I finally found an endometriosis specialist who was able to help me.
In January of 2008, I had surgery with my endometriosis specialist. He excised endometriosis, removed adhesions, and diagnosed me with Interstitial Cystitis. My health finally started to improve!
My  goes out to women who are facing a hysterectomy at a young age and especially to those who are dealing with endometriosis and all that it entails! I understand many of the frustrations and confusion that goes along with this condition! Additionally, I have dealt with a variety of other health issues with which many women diagnosed with endometriosis seem to struggle: chronic pain, fibromyalgia,, migraines, allergies, adhesions, IBS, IC, and more. It can be very upsetting to live in pain every day of your life, especially when many around you do not understand what you are doing through.
My goal here at HysterSisters is to support women as they work through the process of deciding if a hysterectomy is right for them. I want members to learn more about their condition(s) and what options might be available for them. For those who have endometriosis, I want to help them be knowledgeable and informed so they can more carefully weigh the pros and cons for their specific situation since there is no cure for endometriosis. I want to help those dealing with chronic pain issues following their hysterectomy to know that they are not alone and there is hope!
If I can ever help, just let me know! I am happy to answer questions and share more details regarding my own personal experiences with endometriosis, chronic pain, and having a hysterectomy at such a young age.
Vincenzo Sabella, M.D.
7950 Floyd Curl Dr. Ste. 600
San Antonio TX 78229
210-615-8585 |
Terri B. Pustilnik, M.D.
501 Medical Center Blvd.
Deke Slayton Cancer Center
Clear Lake TX 77598
713-665-0404 |
Ivonne Reynolds, M.D.
2964 North State Rd 7 Suite 310
Parkland FL 33063
954-917-4997 |
Clifford Rogers, M.D.
The Everett Clinic, Dept. of Surgery and Gynecology
1330 Rockefeller Ave, Suite 120
Everett WA 98201
425 339 5424 |
Mayra J. Thompson, M.D.
5323 Harry Hines Blvd Dept OBGYN
Dallas TX 75290
214-645-3888 |
Robert Castle, M.D.
3650 Joseph Siewick Dr. #203
Fairfax VA 22033
703-391-1500 |
Ken Sinervo, M.D.
1140 Hammond Dr., Ste. F6220
Atlanta GA 30328
770-913-0001 |
Aileen Caceres, M.D.
Center for Specialized Gynecology/Florida Hospital
410 Celebration Place, Suite 302
Celebration FL 34747
407.303.4190 |
Lino Montilla, M.D.
3650 Joseph Siewick Dr. #203
Fairfax VA 22033
703-391-1500 |
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-- January NewsletterPost Hysterectomy Fitness and Health is the theme of our January, 2012 newsletter at HysterSisters.com. Visit this link [ More]...
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