November 6, 2009

Ever since I can remember, I have always suffered with pains during my period. I just thought that was a normal part of a woman's cycle, and dealt with it as best I could. As I got older and pain became worse, it started to interfere with daily activities and my way of life. When this began to happen, I knew it was more that "just a period" and struggled to find answers.

May 2008 was my brother's wedding. It was a beautiful night, and I will never forget it. The following morning, however, something was not right. I woke up from pain, but this was a different kind of pain, I was now experiencing severe spasms. I got home and was completely bedridden for one week straight. I had sharp spasms shooting through my rectum and pelvic area. The spasms came every few minutes, almost like contractions. The pain was debilitating and walking was an obstacle. The pressure I felt in my pelvic area was that intense. I was in pain for about a week.

I made an appointment with a gynaecologist that was highly recommended by a friend. The doctor told me it sounded like I might have endometriosis, but never confirmed it. He did an ultrasound, but picked up nothing. Confused, I asked about my options. He told me I could take birth control, get depo shots, or go on lupron (which would put me into menopause for 6 mos.). I was only 24 years old at the time, I could not even imagine going into menopause. I was also told that I could continuously take the pill and never allow myself to get my period. I asked how that could be healthy for a female and his answer was that a woman only needs to get her period 4times a year. He said that suppressing ovulation and getting rid of a period meant suppressing pain. Upset by these options, but given no other alternatives, I decided to give birth control a try. I was frustrated because I was never given an answer and wanted to get to the bottom of this issue. I took the pill for two years, but the pain was still there. Losing hope, I stopped the pill and just dealt with the pains every month.

As each month passed, the pain became increasingly worse, and I was now experiencing this before, during, and after my period. After my period was the absolute worst. I experienced spasms that lasted for 4 to 5 days at a time. This forced me onto a heating pad every month. No medication could help me. I began to revolve my plans and events around this pain because it consumed my life that much. Only one week out of each month I was pain free. The anxiety accompanying these pains put so much stress on me mentally and physically.

This led me to another doctor in June 2008. I explained to her my symptoms and she too said the same things as the previous doctor (it sounded like endo, but was not sure). She also did an ultrasound, and picked up nothing. She mentioned a laparoscopy and treating it with a laser, but advised me the tissue would grow back if I did not treat myself with lupron soon after. I could not even imagine the side effects of forcing someone into menopause. This went against my beliefs and did not sit well with me. I did not feel at ease leaving the office, and once again left with no answers.

June 200P, I decided to give one more gynaecologist in my area a try. He too was highly recommended, only this time by one of my relative's doctors. I was told by this doctor that I had "Mittleschmertz" which meant pain during ovulation. He said he did not think I had endometriosis because I experienced a majority of my pain after my period. He explained that someone with endo typically has pain during their period and its baffling that I have it afterwards. He did not do an ultrasound; instead he highly recommended depo while telling me the same thing as the other two doctors. I came home with another prescription for birth control that day because, I felt that was my only option. However, something inside me told me there had to be an answer and a better way to solve this problem. I got home and threw the perception in the trash. This time, instead of giving up, I told myself that this was the last time I was going to leave a doctor's office with no answers.

I came home and did my own research. At that moment, everything changed for me because that was, when I found Dr. Kanayama. I called the office and Sabrina was so nice in getting me an appointment right away. I was nervous upon my first visit, but felt at ease at the same time. I just knew I was in the right place. During my consultation, Dr. Kanayama wrote down my information as I described everything I was feeling. Upon examination, he was the first and only doctor to confirm my endometriosis during an ultrasound. Through this, he was also able to tell me that it looked like Stage III and that I had this well over ten years. I was also diagnosed with adenomyosis. He told me I needed to be treated, which meant surgery. I became emotional, but knew I was in good hands.

The surgery was at Greenwich Hospital in CT. The hospital was amazing and the staff was extremely caring and considerate. One nurse tried to help calm my nerves up until I entered the operating room. After the procedure, Dr. Kanayama informed my parents and boyfriend that I had Stage III endometriosis and he was able to get all of it.

The road to recovery was an easy one. The day following the procedure, I felt better than expected. I did not have to take pain medication. I was a little sore, but it was nothing intolerable. My first period following the surgery was not like the others at all. The cramping was minimal, and once again, I did not have to take medicine. I could not believe it.

Dr. Kanayama is inspired by these words upon entering the John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD: "Come unto Me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden. And I will give you Rest." (Matthew1 11 :3) This quote undoubtedly describes everything you have done and all that you continue to do. You have truly been blessed with a special gift to heal. I often wondered and prayed that I would one day find an answer and be given proper treatment. I found you. Thank you for restoring my health. I will always be eternally grateful to you and all that you have done for me.

Josephine Prinziyalli