From Natural Suffering to Divine Healing: My Endometriosis Story

Nine years ago on a December night, I arrived at the emergency room suffering from severe abdominal pain. Prior to that night, I had suffered in silence for nearly 10 years with issues that affected my overall health and limited my ability to perform certain activities. From adolescence to adulthood, I experienced severe pain during my menstrual cycle. I felt like my body was working against me and that I had no control. The pain was unimaginable, and I felt like no one really understood what I was going through. Previous doctors dismissed the pain as bad menstrual cramps and told me to take pain relievers.

Arriving at the emergency room that night changed my life for the better. I was referred to a gynecologist that specialized in treating my illness, and he was truly a God send. I learned that I had an ovarian cyst and after weeks of waiting for the cyst to dissolve, the doctor scheduled me for a laparoscopy to remove the cyst. While I was in surgery, it was discovered that my condition was much more serious than expected. The simple laparoscopy turned into a more invasive procedure known as a laparotomy. My suffering finally had a name. Its name was endometriosis.

March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month, and during this time of year I reflect back on my journey, and I educate individuals about this debilitating disease. According to the Endometriosis Association, endometriosis is a painful disease that affects approximately 6.3 million women and girls in the United States. It is a disease where the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus is found outside of the uterus. Some of the places these implants can be found are on the ovaries and fallopian tubes. These implants can cause severe pain during a woman’s menstrual cycle, and they can cause infertility. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, 30% to 50% of infertile women have endometriosis. It is a very common medical problem that affects many women and girls, and many do not even know they have endometriosis until they try to conceive; therefore, awareness of the disease is crucial. Some of the symptoms of endometriosis include back pain, heavy bleeding during menstruation, urinary and bowel problems, and fatigue. Many women go undiagnosed for approximately 7 years before ever knowing they have the disease.

Endometriosis can be diagnosed by a procedure known as a laparoscopy. This is a surgical procedure where a tiny incision is made in the abdomen, and a laparoscope is inserted in order for the doctor to see the presence of the disease. There is currently no cure for endometriosis, but there are treatment options available such as Lupron and the birth control pill.  I have utilized both Lupron and the birth control pill in the past, but recently I have incorporated a more holistic form of treatment into my regimen known as wild yam. Not only has incorporating herbal treatments benefited my health, but I am also an active runner. I began running about 6 ½ years ago, and I have noticed my overall health has improved because of this activity. Running is essential because it helps to release toxins from the body. I have also incorporated foods high in fiber into my diet.

My journey with endometriosis has also inspired me to raise awareness to the public at large. My platform entitled Code Yellow: An Alert on Endometriosis educates and empowers women and girls so they can be proactive about their own health. I educate people via social media, health workshops, and in one on one conversation.

Honestly I could not have experienced total healing without my faith in God. I call myself a “Daughter of Faith” because I am reminded of the passage in the Bible about the woman with the issue of blood. One scripture in particular that resonates with me is Mark 5:34 which read He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” My story is similar to the woman with the issue of blood because I went from doctor to doctor for years with no definitive diagnosis. I felt unclean, and I was in severe pain. However, God had other plans for my health, and now I can say I am finally healed. My natural suffering transformed into divine healing.