My name is Mandi Hood. As I sit and write this I am recovering from a hysterectomy on October 2, 2002. I am 32 and was diagnosed with Endometriosis at 21. I have had 12 surgeries in the last 11 years. I almost feel like an expert now. I had Endometriosis, polycystic ovaries, and fibrocystic tumors. I so wanted a child so when the doctors told me to have a hysterectomy at 21 I told them no that my God was bigger than them and they were not removing any of my body parts… thus begins my long journey.
After many fertility treatments, Lupron treatments, and many other treatments, I did eventually lose my left ovary and fallopian tube in January 2000 because of a cyst the size of an orange. Every surgery brought more bad news of scar tissue and Endometriosis. My uterus was always stuck to my endometrial wall as well as my ovaries. I also had Endometriosis on my colon and no doctor dared to touch that. Pain has been my constant companion for all of these years. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in August 1999. I had no idea the two were related until now.
In August 2000, after giving up hope I found out I was pregnant. My husband, Edward and I now have a beautiful 18 month old baby girl. She is my miracle. Last month I started my period and it was awful. I was bleeding so heavy and passing large clots(4inches in diameter). I had to wear adult diapers. After two weeks of bleeding like this we did another surgery. By the time I got to the hospital my blood count was down to 9. When they got inside they found horrendous scar tissue. My uterus and colon were completely fused together and once again I had fibroids in my uterus. I started bleeding and lost 900cc more blood. I had to have a transfusion. The first few days after surgery I was in so much pain that I swore that if I died and went to hell that Satan would used a hysterectomy as my eternal punishment. Now 9 days later I look at my little girl and thank God for her and for my life. I needed to share my story to let other with this condition know there is hope.
Copyright © 2002. Mandi Hood. All Rights Reserved.