February 18, 2008

This is a message to all Endometriosis Patients:

I would like to share my experience with this disease with you and encourage you to do something about it.

I might have had it for many years but it was only diagnosed when i experienced extremely severe pelvic pain due to a twisted cyst in one of my ovaries and only after the third gynecologist had a closer look at it. This doctor suggested me to wait and put me on the pill. When the pain got worse he suggested to operate and to take the cyst out. He did that by producing a 12 cm scar as he considered laparoscopic surgery too risky. After that he put me for one year on hormones to suppress my period and diagnosed me as completely cured.

More than a year after the surgery I was in NY for two weeks for my job. I just gave it a try and googled Endometriosis and NY and came to Dr. Kanayama's website. I called, described my situation and got an appointment the next day. Within few minutes Dr. Kanayama could find out that I was not cured as he could easily feel the endometriosis nodules.

I told him that I was planning to get pregnant soon and he suggested having a surgery to excise all the endometriosis nodules. The fact that endometriosis increases the risk of miscarriage up to 70% quickly convinced me. I got an appointment for the surgery within two weeks and went there all by my own as all that happened during my business trip to NY. Dr. Kanayama and his team at the hospital were extremely caring and explained every step to me. I woke up after nearly five hours of surgery and found out that I had stage IV endometriosis However, the surgery went fine and the pain was not too bad.

Two weeks later I was able to fly back to Asia where I am working and recovered very well. Only two months later, or in other words, one period after the surgery I got pregnant and I am now over the critical first three months. I am extremely grateful to Dr. Kanayama and, in particular, to Sabrina who helped me so much with my insurance and gave me hope and confidence throughout the process.

At the same time I am angry wit the gynecologist who gave me completely wrong advices, medication and diagnosis and thereby cause so much suffering to women. I recommend every woman with endometriosis to consult a trusted specialist in that area. Even though it might be cumbersome and expensive to travel for such a surgery I think it is absolutely worth it. I cannot express my happiness and relief to be pregnant after so many negative reports I read on the internet, so many sleepless nights, tears and worries.

This is a positive message for all endometriosis patients. Find a true specialist like Dr. Kanayama whom I can recommend wholeheartedly and get rid of your endometriosis. I am also not a fan of surgery and tried alternative medicine like homeopathies and traditional Chinese medicine. I all did not stop the endometriosis from spreading. After all I also think that endometriosis patients should think about there lifestyle and take better care of their needs and in particular listen to their bodies. Dr. Kanayama and his team understand the broader context of endometriosis and how much suffering it can cause and they support a holistic healing process.

I wish you all the best for your individual healing process and don't lose your confidence and hope.

Birgit W.