If I had to describe myself, it would be in a word that has many meanings with a complexity which falls off the tongue.
A word made up of many elements, is deceptive in appearance, and creates an illusion from the imagination.
My word would be Phantasmagoric. ~Summer Ross

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Never Surrender Blogfest Entry

Elana Johnson is hosting the Never Surrender blogfest this week in light of her newest book  Surrender.

The Rules:
 All you have to do is blog about a time you didn't surrender. 

My entry:

At 14 years old, a sharp pain crushed my left side with an iron grip. By the time I was 18 years old, intercourse was the bane of my existence. Every doctor sent me home with something new.
 
At first they said I must have an STD. But nothing was found on any tests for them. 
Then they sent me home with the idea that the pain was in my head. 

By the time I was 26, I crawled back and forth on my hands and knees daily just to get from my bedroom to the bathroom or to the living room to feed my children.

 I had been sent home from doctors with indigestion, constipation, UTI, "all in your head," Irritable bowel, a self induced stomach ache, ulcer possibility, and "there is nothing wrong."

I didn't give up. I knew my body and there was something terribly wrong with it. I didn't have bowel movements for weeks at a time. I couldn't be intimate with my partner. I couldn't freaking walk!

 Something was very wrong and it wasn't in my head.

 At 27 years old, I found out my grandmother had a hysterectomy because of adhesions. Back then they had no idea what happened to her, only that they needed to remove what they could to help her. I told my regular doctor about my grandmother. 

All of a sudden, I was referred to another doctor and decidedly diagnosed with Endometriosis. A hysterectomy followed a few months later.

Today, I'm 30 years old. Though my insides aren't perfect, I didn't surrender despite what all the other doctors told me. I kept going back to them, I kept trying to show them, and I knew my own body well enough not to give up on myself. It took years, but it paid off in the end. 

I never surrendered.


13 comments:

Old Kitty said...

Oh Summer. I am so sorry to hear of your struggle to get properly diagnosed and taken seriously by the medical profession. It's so horrible to not be believed and to be made to feel as if it is all in your head! :-( Good for you for listening to your body! You were right, they were wrong! Well done you!

Take care
x

Stina said...

I'm glad you finally got the right diagnosis. If only you had found out about your grandmother sooner, but at least you didn't give up and believe there was no answer.

Michael Di Gesu said...

I hear you Summer. I am so glad that you finally got the help you needed to feel better.


it took me years to get my life back from crippling arthritis. SO I can relate...

Always keep that determination, Summer.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I've heard of it. Which means the doctors really should've known to test for it! Glad you persisted.

Kimberly Gabriel said...

Just stopping by from the blogfest...I have friends with Endometriosis and have heard how painful this is. I'm shocked that it took doctors so long to figure out that's what you had! I also love the name of your blog. ;) Thank you for sharing your story! *new follower*

Hart Johnson said...

Oh wow... I'm baffled your doctors didn't have a clue--seriously. I have several friends with it--I KNOW how painful it can be. I also had an aunt die from it because she DIDN'T get that hysterectomy and the scarring eventually blocked her intestines. So glad you eventually got it sorted!

Carolyn V said...

Wow! That sounds so painful! I'm glad you were able to find out what to do. You're so strong! ;)

Elana Johnson said...

Holy cow. I'm so glad you didn't give up and kept going to doctors to make sure that you got the treatment you needed.

Wendy Lu said...

Hi Summer, I found your blog through Elana. Thanks for sharing this personal story with us...I think the idea behind the Never Surrender Blogfest is just great. As a tracheotomy patient, I can really identify with the experience of having different doctors tell you different things about your situation. Misdiagnosis seems to be one of the most frustrating things about the health system. I think you are very admirable. Take care.

By the way, I'm hosting an awesome blogfest and critique giveaway at my blog from June 22-24 that you should totally come participate in if you're interested. :) Hope you have a great day.

~Wendy Lu

The Roarin' Twenties Poetry Blogfest + Chapter Critique Giveaway (hosted by The Red Angel)

Anonymous said...

Really hate when doctors kind of roll their eyes at what you're telling them. Glad you're getting better!

Tyrean Martinson said...

I'm glad to hear that feel better now, and that you finally got the docs to listen to you. I had the whole "stress must be causing this" thing too and it turned out I have trouble digesting about 30 different foods . . . and without them I'm IBS free, pain free, rash free, and headache free.

DL Hammons said...

Your story is a testament to your unbreakable will power...and the sad state of our health system! Glad to hear your on the right path now!! :)

Lynn(e) Schmidt said...

Wow. Sometimes I really dislike doctors. I can't imagine being in that much pain all the time. I'm glad you're better!

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