Blessed

Hi, I'm new here...I'm in my 2nd day of recovery from a Laporoscopy/D&C. My Dr. went in thinking (hoping) to be able to burn off any Endo there may have been, though he wasn't sure exactly where or if I had it. He only knew that i did have the symptoms and a cyst. Turns out he couldn't do any burning because in his words it was "severe,severe endometriosis". I was still somewhat groggy when he told me this but knew from our other talks that if it was anywhere near my bowel he would not even attempt it. In the past I have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Interstitial Cystitis (I also suffer from Fibromyalgia and all of it's complications), now I wonder if some of my problems could be related more to the endo than the other diagnoses. He said we needed to talk more, but wasn't even sure if a total hysterectomy and drug therapy would cure it all. He didn't seem to think it would. His goal right now is to try to keep it at bay for at least 15 yrs (if possible). Since I am lucky to have one beautiful 4 1/2 yr old boy, and I am 35, I don't feel like I'd be missing out on having another child (my plan is to eventually become a foster mom and help kids who need it the most). Since I am now a single mom (with a stalker who happens to be my soon-to-be ex-husband) I doubt I would have had the chance to even concieve again. Especially if the endo is as bad as he said. I had difficculty getting pregnant the first time and he wasn't even planned. My fear is recovery time, and how will all of this affect me physically, sexually? I am finally happy with those parts of myself, and don't equate my uterus or ovaries with my sexuality, but how do I know I won't when this all happens? I'm babbling, but I guess I just wonder how far spread it is for him to not want to burn any of it? How far can it spread? It's scary to have your Dr. not even want to look you in the eye when he tells you it's so severe. Any advice or answeres would be appreciated

Dear Blessed,
At least you know more now!
Congratulations on your 4.5 year old son, and you sound like a great mom!
Do you plan on being able to talk more with your doctor? Do you trust your doctor?
I am not a doctor but you remind me in some ways of myself (I too have fibro, and IC, endometriosis, and a lot of pain. Sometimes its a bit overwhelming!!! Thank God you know your blessed, sometimes I think I'm in hell, and all the angels and God want nothing to do with me!!! (except to think of another place to poke and burn some pain)!!!
Is it possible to get back to your original Dr. that delivered your son?
That is what I did, and this is one smart OB/GYN. Instead of five more internal utrasounds....she did one, said there are not patches or pills that will correct my problem. She offered the option of T.A.V.H, the insurance approved, and I'm getting everything that she says needs to be removed, removed. P.s. you sound like a wonderful survivor and mother...not a babbler!..we care.

SisterM.

Thank you for replying...I would never trust my original Dr. who delivered my son. Long story. But I do absolutely trust my new OB/GYN, he has been not only very open and honest with me, but kept his word about not doing more damage. I'm hoping the surgery and meds will help ease some of the other problems, or at least allow me to start my walking regimen of 3 hrs a day. That seemed to be the only thing that worked and made me happy. Besides waking up to the fantasy I was living in regards to my ex. I believe in fate and karma, whether we make it ourselves or there are other forces at work (I think it's a little of both) and am very hopeful the next 35 yrs of my life will be the best yet, as I seem to be getting rid of a lot painful situations by changing me. As long as I can look at myself in the mirror, and as along as my son can look at me with all that love in his eyes...nothing else matters.

It is wonderful that you have a great doctor whom you trust. Just a thought - you may want to see if you can find a Reproductive Endocrinologist who specializes in Endo treatment. Endo surgery can be very tricky and often an RE will have specialized training in surgical techniques that will allow him/her to do successful surgery where other surgeons could not. I am blessed to have found such a doctor in my area.

Whatever you do, I hope things work out well for you and this procedure and meds improve your quality of life.

thanks for your reply, I feel like this is a stupid question but isn't a reproductive endocrinologist who I consulted after my first live birth, so that I could try to have more kids?
I know I'm not having anymore children, other than all the beautiful kids that our daughter has become friends with....and their brothers and sisters.