Laparotomy

A surgical procedure using large incisions to explore, ablate, and/or excise Endometriosis lesions or adhesions

Endometriosis & the Kidneys

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A doodle of a human kidney pointing at a diagram of the renal system

In the past, I’ve researched how Endometriosis can affect the renal system, specifically the bladder or ureters, and how that could even cause blockages that cause kidney issues and severe problems.

Today, I’m going to talk about Endometriosis and the actual kidney.

A study published in October of 2018 discussed a 45-year-old woman who had flank pain and blood in her urine.  Imaging studies found a mass on her left kidney.  A surgery was performed to remove the suspected renal mass and a portion of her kidney, and pathology confirmed it was an Endometriosis lesion.  It was removed from her “renal parenchyma,” which is the solid part of the kidney that filters blood and makes urine.

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Share Your Story: Kathryn

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Quote that reads "I will never give this despicable disease the satisfaction of beating me...ever...

Kathryn was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 30 years old.  Three years later, she found our blog and wanted to share her story with us.  It’s a heartbreaking and devastating tale, but one many of us can relate to.  And she will continue to hold her head high, undefeated.

Kathryn’s Journey:   I suffered a horrible car accident in July almost three years ago. The bruising from the seat belt was so bad it took months to heal. Then, in December six months after the accident, I collapsed at work in crippling pain and had to go to the hospital. There they found cysts on my right ovary and uterus. One week later, my gynie is telling me a protein in my blood that detects ovarian cancer which should be no higher than 2 was 171. The next three months I was in a horrible nightmare of doctors telling me I would need a hysterectomy and chemo and would be fighting for my life. I had to make the agonizing choice of pulling my organs out when it wasn’t really a choice at all… And I did it with peace and as much grace as I could. Another month later, I underwent surgery. When I was awake after the tumors on my ovary had been benign and what it had actually been was severe endometriosis. He cut it out, but refused to remove the pipes causing it. When the surgeon told me it would be back, I sobbed… I don’t know why… But I was devastated. Six months later the pain returned. I had been fully cut open from stem to stern the first time. The second time they did a laparoscopy. And discovered the ovary that had the tumor developed a blood cyst that had engulfed the entire ovary. Worse, my fallopian tube was now being twisted and pulled into the same ovary. My gynie did not realize what he was getting into as the sonogram didn’t show much… But he said my tube should be a twizzler and my ovary a walnut. Mine had become a churro and a softball… Two surgeries, six months apart, with no help or sympathy from my now ex-husband… And they still wouldn’t remove all of it… I wanted to have a child of my own but…. God had different plans for me… It still hurts… And now it’s back. I found Lisa’s blog and was overjoyed I was not alone… That the bitterness and hatred of this disease is shared by many sisters. But I can’t do this any more. I want my life back. My endo was so bad it made a blood test show insanely positive for cancer. And the real kicker is that when I was suing the bastard who hit me in that car accident… My insurance company told my lawyer that it sounded to her like a blessing in disguise… I may never have found out there was a problem if I hadn’t been STRUCK by a car. The cruelest part is her daughter was going through chemo for ovarian cancer herself…. I want the pain to stop. It hurts knowing I cannot have children… And I am devastated when I ask myself “why me!” I had been fine up until that car accident… And since then… I’ve had nothing but pain bitterness and rage… And yet, I march on… Because I will never give this Despicable disease the satisfaction of beating me… EVER.

Words of Advice:  Go to your gynie regularly and make them aware of your symptoms and pain level. Try to exclude as many triggers as possible… I am a migraine with aura sufferer and cannot have hormonal birth control which is one of the best defenses against endo… But do not give up and find a community like this one that offers support and love for all suffering and dealing with this devastating disease. Never let your doctor downplay your pain or your gut feeling. If they don’t help you then find someone who can. Don’t suffer alone… I thought I was alone… But this blog showed me that I really am no less a woman and no less beautiful even if my plumbing is yanked out. And remember… YOU ARE FABULOUS!

The Last Word: Please keep writing and updating your blog. I found it just by searching if alcohol affected endometriosis. You gave me more information about my health than my doctor ever did. Thank you… So much! And I love the blogs name.😊

If you would like to contact Kathryn, please feel free to e-mail her.

I want to send a special Thank You out to Kathryn for being brave enough to share her journey with us today!  You are NOT alone in this, and you never will be again.  You have my e-mail address…and I’ll forward you my phone number.  Please feel free to use both as often as you wish.  Much love.  And sending hugs and smooshes your way.   â¤ Yours, Lisa.

Paper with "tell your story" written on it

And if YOU would like to share your story, I would love to share it.  The best part about this disease is the strong network of love and support from our fellow EndoSisters, and our friends and family, too.

Yours, Lisa.

Endometriosis & the Appendix

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Diagram of the appendix

Here I go again, once more intrigued by Endometriosis growing in odd places inside the body.  Today I’m going to focus on the appendix.  I’ve read that many Warriors have their appendix removed because physicians may confuse Endometriosis pain for the symptoms of appendicitis.  But on Tuesday an article hit my email about Endometriosis growing on the appendix…and I became obsessed.

Please remember: I don’t write this to scare you, or freak you out, or say that all of your right-sided abdominal pain is from Appendix Endo.  Take a deep breath – I like to document these things in case anyone would like to discuss it further with their healthcare providers so they may be aware during surgery.  Appendiceal Endometriosis is considered extremely rare and it is suspected that only 1-3% of all cases of Endometriosis involve the appendix.  But…knowledge is power.

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Excision vs Ablation

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Graphic depicting excision vs ablation
Detail,”The Endo-Graphic” by Sarah Soward.

So, you may be reading this because you have a surgery pending, or you’ve had surgery and want to know if it was the “right” one.  Well, when it comes to Endometriosis, there are typically two ways of dealing with the lesions that I’ve read of. If there’s more, share with me, please!  Whichever way your surgeon opens you up : laparotomy or laparoscopy, robotic-assisted or not – your surgeon will still need to decide how best to handle the lesions he or she finds within your body.

  1.  Excision – removing the entire lesion by cutting a margin of healthy flesh around the lesion – see the graphic above, scooping the healthy soil around the flower to get the roots, and then some.
  2. Ablation – destroying the lesion by burning the surface away.  Like freezing off a mole or wart, but burning away the Endo.  The graphic above with the flamethrower may leave the roots of the lesion, and unhealthy Endometriosis tissue, behind…
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Share Your Story: Lakia

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African American woman smiling poolside, wearing a white wrap, holding a glass of ice water, and a stuffed giraffe toy

Lakia was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 29 years old, after suffering with symptoms since the Sixth Grade.  Now she’s 30, living in San Diego, and she’s found our little support group.  I met Lakia just a few weeks after her diagnositic surgery and she’s recently undergone a difficult decision for her second surgery! Lakia has proven to be an amazing and incredibly strong woman, and someone I am proud to call friend.  Her story follows…

Lakia’s Journey: I always thought in my mind that my reality was normal. But what is normal? My first period was in sixth grade. I remember being so excited because I finally felt like a woman! I stuffed my bra everyday, secretly shaved my legs, and wore tinted lipgloss. But that first period felt like a rite of passage. All of the boys will like me now! Little did I know what was ahead…

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Endometriosis & Leg Pain/Sciatica

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Woman soaking in a bathtub. All we see are her legs.
Photo by Elizaveta Dushechkina on Pexels.com

I have heard from several EndoWarriors that they suffer from leg pain; whether it be their hips, upper thighs, or radiating pain down their leg(s).  Today we delve a bit deeper into leg pain complaints and Endo.  Have upper leg pain? Lower back pain? Tailbone pain?  So do a lot of people…but so do a LOT of women with Endometriosis.  A 2011 study surveyed 94 people with Endometriosis.  Of them, 51% complained of leg pain.  Cysts may also be contributing to leg and lower back pain. And although you may have some of these symptoms and think you have sciatic Endometriosis…please be aware that it is considered incredibly rare. And it may just be that your symptoms are a result of pelvic floor muscles being too tight (pelvic floor therapy may help) OR that adhesions and/or Endometriosis has pulled your anatomy out of whack. But, please, do read on:

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Endometriosis & The Bowel

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Diagram of human bowels

As you may know, Endometriosis is not limited to just your reproductive bits & pieces.  It can implant, grow, and fester in many places; the bowel included.  But what does that mean? How do you know if it’s on your bowel?  Today’s blog will go into that…Read on, dear Reader…read on.  Word of warning : I will be using words like fart and poop! Why dance around the subject with flowery words when I feel like I’m a giggly 12-year-old girl?

It is estimated that between 5-15% (and some even doctors guess it’s actually between 3-34%) of women with Endometriosis suffer from Endo on their bowels.  Bowel Endometriosis may affect the colon, the rectum, the large intestine, the small intestine, the colon, or the sigmoid colon.  The implants may be physically located on the bowels, or even just located adjacent to them in areas like the Pouch of Douglas, uterosacral ligaments, or rectovaginal septum. The close proximity of the inflamed and irritated lesions may be enough to induce bowel Endometriosis symptoms.  And these symptoms may also be caused by adhesions pulling or twisting the bowels.

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Share Your Story : Marixsa

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EndoWarrior logo

Marixsa is a fellow blogger and Endo advocate.  She was diagnosed when she was 28 years old.  Now 33, her story is a heartbreaking, yet encouraging, one.  Almost two decades of suffering without a diagnosis, being told she was exaggerating, living in fear of intimacy, missed diagnoses (not misdiagnosis…but literally doctors not seeing her Endometriosis while in surgery), followed by a myriad of additional surgeries, emotional rollercoasters, fertility treatments, and miscarriage.  Although scarred, Marixsa is truly a strong and beautiful Warrior, rich in faith and determination.  She continues to fight, for herself and for other EndoSisters.    And I hold her among my heroes.

Marixsa’s Journey: Like so many women, endometriosis affected me years before I was diagnosed. It’s been quite a journey, which is why this section is so long. Here’s where this road has taken me:

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