After 7 surgeries regarding this issue, I have found specialists in Atlanta, GA that is confident that I can be free of this pain once and for all. Endometriosis grows continuously even though I've had a full hysterectomy. My case is unique in that I have an endometrioma, or endometrial tumor, that is attached to my abdominal wall and has infiltrated into my abdominal muscles. The last measurement via MRI almost a year ago marked it at 3cm. General surgeons due to inexperience either will not or can not successfully remove the entire tumor as made evident by the 3 surgeries I had within 1 year recently. As with all of the best medical professionals, this set of doctors will only operate with self-pay. I was quoted $7,000-$11,000 for the doctors' fees alone. (Hospital, anesthesiology, and pathology will be covered at least partially with our insurance.)

The pain is cyclical in that it will get better or worse depending on the day. I have learned how to manage my pain with heating pads, ibuprofen, muscle relaxants, and simply not moving when it's bad. I've had many days where I've remained on the couch or in bed, but mostly grimace through whatever it is I need to do. The worst experience was when an exceptionally terrible wave of pain came over me while I was driving my 4 children. It almost caused an accident as I swerved into the next lane. It was at that moment that I decided to not ignore it any longer. I made appointments with very good doctors here in Florida. The following surgeries successfully removed most of the endometriosis I was suffering from ligaments, bladder, ureters, and my abdominal wall. However, as stated before, this endometrioma requires extraordinary care. The Center for Endometriosis in Atlanta, GA is the one place in the world that knows how to handle this problem.

Asking for money is exceptionally difficult for me. In fact, if there were a way for me to earn this in the timeframe necessary where it didn't take away from our ever-rising list of obligations to family and home, I would do it in a heartbeat. Anyone need a kidney? ;)