The Results

Read Thelma's earlier article, “A Mass”

Oh, that was the pain

I opened my eyes and Dr. C was sitting on the bed beside me. “What happened?”, I begged. He began explaining that the grapefruit-sized mass was endometriosis. It was too large to remove via laparoscopy, so they transitioned into laparotomy surgery. The tiny telescope was no longer tiny. With both procedures, my abdomen now resembled a happy face, that wasn’t so happy. During the 3 hour procedure, endometriosis was removed from several organs. The mass had engulfed my ovary and fallopian tube connecting my uterus to the side of my abdomen wall- That was the sharp pain.

Dr. C. said it was a tangled mess. After he removed the initial mass, which included my ovary and tube, he cleaned it all and puzzled the pieces back together. He suspended my uterus and then knew he had to check the other ovary and fallopian tube. He was not optimistic due to the extensiveness of the original side. He checked the tube for blockage; it was clear. He looked for any sign of endometriosis on that side and found nothing. The second side was surprisingly clear. He was shocked!

Was there a chance?

Could I still get pregnant after all of that? Could I really have a child? Endometriosis had almost robbed me of a family and now it might actually come true? One side was mangled and the other side totally free and clear.  It didn’t make sense to Dr. C. It didn’t make sense at all. I then remembered the scripture Dr. C quoted to me at my pre-op appointment, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow...Now if God so clothes the grass of the field...will He not much more clothe you...? Therefore, do not worry...”. It was a miracle; the odds were not in my favor but, at this point, I knew God had this. He’s bigger than all of this. I realized that whatever happened, God would carry me through it. He already was carrying me.

The future

Dr. C prescribed Danocrine, a male hormone, for 3 months so that I wouldn’t have a period. That part sounded pretty good. Medically speaking, he said, this would ensure that any sign of endometriosis would die away. He cautioned me that my voice might drop and facial hair may grow. You’ve got to be kidding! Teaching middle school was challenging on its own without the addition of unbalanced hormones and a freshly sprouted mustache. Oh dear! Thankfully, I was spared the mustache and deepened voice – though I’m certain my hormones were all over the place.  t that point, I would be able to see if I could get pregnant. The thought was daunting but also full of hope. I might be able to have a family after all!