Don't give up hope

My life with endometriosis began when I started high school, though I didn't know it.  Some of my other friends had been having pain when they got their periods, so I had just thought that my pain was normal. What I hadn't realised was that mine was actually 10 times more severe than theirs.  After high school, my pain began to ease.  It wasn't until I was 28 that it returned with a vengeance. The pain was crippling. I would huddle up in bed for days unable to go to work. 

I was so annoyed and upset one day that I ended up going to my local GP who referred me to a Gynaecologist. She was wonderful. One scan and there it was. Endometriosis and fibroids. We arranged to have a laparoscopy to clean it all out.

After my operation my gynaecologist explained to me that with my condition there would be a 99 per cent chance that I could never have children.  I was devastated. I didn't have a partner at the time but the thought that I could never have children really hurt. Six months later I met the most wonderful man. I explained to him from the start that I may not be able to have children and he was wonderful about it. 

Within a year we were engaged and two months later I discovered I was pregnant. I was ecstatic - totally over the moon. I did everything to look after myself for fear of losing my baby. He was born healthy and beautiful and is now three and a half.

My endometriosis has now returned, just when we are trying for another baby. I have resigned myself to the fact that I may not fall pregnant again and do so treasure my son.  I would say to all women who are having fertility issues, try not to stress - you just never know what might happen!!!

Content Updated May 19, 2008