Giving out flowers

Before I get too far along, I wanted to post a dedication.


To my sister - I know siblings are supposed to love and look out for each other, but what is "supposed" to be does not always occur.  I knew my sister loved me; however, I don't think I really knew her love and compassion (beyond what is supposed to be) for me, until I went through my health crisis.


My sister, the great researcher!  She explored the Internet and talked to her friends regarding a doctor that could help me.  She looked for what other options I had to having surgery.  Believe it or not, it seems many of the doctors that I consulted didn't seem sure that they could get ALL the endo or either told me I would have to have a hysterectomy.  My sister was the one who came across the doctor who ultimately performed my last surgery for the endo.


Sis unselfishly departed from her own family and traveled with me to Oregon to have the surgery.  That experience in and of itself was very surreal. (I'll speak on this more in a later post)  Since that time, I've watched her and noticed how she extends that giving and compassionate spirit towards her family and those she comes into contact with and all of this makes me smile and feel blessed.  Thank you. 


I dedicate this post to my parents, who have always been there. They saw the tears and heard the screams.  I can't imagine what it must have been like for them to see me going through that debilitating type of pain.  After I had the surgery, they took care of me for the weeks of recovery that followed.  My Mom said to me, "You'll always be our child no matter what your age."  They've always done what they had to do to make sure I was okay.  They are all of the things that parents should be and more than I could ever hope for.  Thank you.


I dedicate this post to my friends.  I had friends who left work with me when I was in excruciating pain and took the train with me home to make sure I got there okay; friends who stayed with me over the weekend in case I needed to get to the emergency room; friends who prayed with me over the phone; friends who took me to doctor's appointments, friends who called me to check in on me, and friends who did whatever I just might happen to have needed.  I think when you don't have your immediate family close by, friends step into that "gap" and become not "like" family, but family. Grateful.  Thank you.

Last but certainly not least, I want to thank some of the doctors and medical staff I've come in contact with.  I thank my gyn for not recommending and giving in to my initial desire to have a hysterectomy.  I thank the wonderful and kind emergency room doctors, nurses and staff for their compassionate care.  I thank the doctor who had the courage to state that she didn't know or didn't have enough experience and didn't let ego get in the way of me getting the treatment I needed.  Lastly, I thank the doctor who performed my surgery and has focused his practice soley on the treatment of endometriosis.

I have stated before that when we are going through something that seems unbearable, we are somehow extended a portion of grace that helps us get through that tough time.  I experienced this "portion of grace," God's grace, through these relationships and knowing that I was never alone in my struggle.


Thank you and much love!