I recall one fateful night, being forcefully awakened by severe pain in my abdomen and lower back. Try as I might, I just could not go back to sleep; as I couldn’t escape the severity of that continued sharp pain. This would go on for months, the pain was blinding and crippling, often leaving me bedridden for days. It seemed to me my life was a constant battle to live (not exist) and be happy in life. My battle was against my own body and mind. Yet, I was determined to win.
“I do?” I asked my Doctor. I barely recognized my voice, it was weak with pain and disappointments. My Doctor nodded his head. “Yes, you do. You have had to be one of my most difficult cases treated. I've removed an incredible amount of Endometriosis from inside of you. Remember you also have it on your lung. These tissues may have escaped to other areas of your body. Doing more surgery runs the risk of causing more damage than good.” Those were not the words I wanted to hear. I wanted to be fixed, to be made whole again. I left My Doctor’s office burden with despair. I was silent and reflective during my ride home. The world seemed a different place to me. In the matter of minutes I had been changed inside forever.
There was a gamut of emotions swamping me. Anger was in the lead, I am not perfect by any means, but, I’ve always been mindful of my deeds and actions. I respected myself and others. I believed in God and attended church faithfully. Yet, I was living a life of daily chronic pain. There was no cure for me. Those words became a song in my head, it played on repeat. “There’s no cure for me.” I looked up at noticed the Sun was still shining, and almost became angry. I looked around and the world was still going on, oblivious to my struggle. How dare the world still move forward, and my world had just been turned upside down!
I made a decision that day. I decided I would not let this situation defeat me. I was too young to carry this cross for the rest of my life. I went home and began to research what Endometriosis was. I was Trojan; I studied and applied what I learned to my daily living. Sometimes it can take up to 10-12 years for a patient to be diagnosed with Endometriosis.
Approximately 176 million women and girls worldwide suffer from Endometriosis; 8.5 million in North America. I’d also learned how to eat all over again. I had to cut out red meats, I’ve gotten rid of dairy products, and I’d removed wheat products out of my diet as well. I started eating healthily, one of the best decisions I've ever made. I removed myself as best as I could from stressful situations, as this could exacerbate pain levels. I began to do meditations. I began to come to grip with the fact that, I could live in spite of my situation. I just had to readjust. I also made it an issue to not remain silent anymore. Respectively, talking about something as private as your cycle can be quite awkward, but this slight discomfort is all worth it; if I can inform and enlighten people about Endometriosis. I don’t want anyone to suffer needlessly for years, because of the lack of information. So, I continue to lift my voice, sharing my testimony, enlightening people about Endometriosis -and I continue to keep the faith, because Endometriosis doesn’t have me.
About the Author
Vanessa Richardson is an author, poet, and playwright. She has written several stage productions and have been blessed to perform them at various venues. Her stage productions include: Someone To Love Me, Why Do Bad Things Happens To Good People? Lord, I Don't Understand, and The Fullness Of Time.Vanessa wrote her freshman Nonfiction inspirational novel titled, The Certain Ones. A spiritual impacting novel that inspires her readers to know that not everyone are called into greatness. Fact: Many can not handle the process that goes along with becoming great. Only the certain ones, who endures; can obtain destined greatness.
Vanessa also host the blogtalkradio show The Certain Ones. In addition, she has created a magazine that it full of purpose. Vanessa is currently working on her fiction novel titled, Love Lifted Me.
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