Endometriosis and Pelvic Infections and Abscesses: Why I Decided to Have TAHBSO

I had my TAHBSO (Total Abdominal Hysterectomy with Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy) last December 2019, and, before my surgery, a few of my friends and colleagues were asking if it was really necessary to undergo TAHBSO. The most common reasons they gave to convince me not to undergo TAHBSO were I was still young and I still had a chance of bearing a child; and TAHBSO has several side effects that will surely cause the deterioration of my health. These are valid reasons but in my case, I reached a "point of no return". It was a point in my life when my Ob-Gyn said that there was no other choice but to have TAHBSO. 

It happened in October 2019, my birth month. I cannot even remember what happened that week.  All I can remember is that I suffered from a high fever on October 25, Friday. I had fever several times before but it was the first time that I felt that there was really something wrong with me. Usually, I would suffer from a fever from too much stress but then, I knew I would just get well the next morning. but the fever that I felt that day was different. 

I went to my Ob-Gyn the following day, October 26, Saturday. I had my CBC and ultrasound in different clinics. Since it was a Saturday, most clinics only have a half-day schedule. I got my results at around 3:00PM and my Ob-Gyn's clinic was already closed. Worse, there was a system interruption with our telecom service, and I could not contact my doctor. I decided to just go home and wait for Monday. 

When I went back to my Ob-Gyn that Monday, October 28, she was shocked to see that my WBC was 16,000 or 16 thousand/mm³. Normal WBC ranges from 4.5 to 10 thousand/mm³. My Ob-Gyn decided to have me admitted to the hospital right away. Unsurprisingly, I did have an infection in my fallopian tube which was already suffering from hematosalpinx. I already talked about my hematosalpinx in my previous blog "Endometriosis and its Complications"

I needed to have dextrose and antibiotics. Other than my Ob-Gyn, I was also co-managed by a doctor who specializes in infections. I stayed in the hospital for 4 days and even celebrated my 40th birthday there. 

And then, the bad news came. My Ob-Gyn said that I could not wait for another year or two to have my TAHBSO. It was a necessity. I had to have it scheduled that year (2019). I had no other option.  My Ob-Gyn explained to me that once pelvic infections occur, it will keep on recurring, getting more severe each time. I knew that having TAHBSO was inevitable but I always thought that it will happen in the future. And at that time, that "future" was "now".

The occurrence of endometriosis progressing into infections and abscesses is rare but it does happen. In fact, endometriosis can result to another condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). You can check the references below to know more about PID. 

Is TAHBSO dangerous? Will it cure endometriosis? What are its side effects? I will answer these and other questions on my next posts. 

References:

Elizur, S., et.al. (2014, February 20). Pelvic inflammatory disease in women with endometriosis is more severe than in those without. Wiley Online Library: Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Retrieved from https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ajo.12189

Illinois Department of Public Health. (2020). "Endometrial Cancer" Retrieved from http://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/diseases-a-z-list/endometrial-cancer

The Institute for Study of Urologic Diseases. (n.d.) Laboratory Testing Normal Values. Retrieved from http://www.imop.gr/en/urotools-normal-values

Endometriosis and its Complications

 In this post, I will discuss the complications that I experienced due to endometriosis.

The first complication that I experienced was difficulty in conceiving. I was ovulating but cysts, scarring, blockage, and adhesion caused by endometriosis made conception very challenging. I discussed this at length in my previous post "Endometriosis: Married with No Kids".

Another complication I experienced was cysts and myomas. I had two previous surgeries to remove the cysts but because of the endometriosis, they kept on recurring. After my second surgery in November 2010, I also started having myomas. The difference between cysts and myomas is that cysts form inside or outside the ovaries and are filled with fluid; while myomas form in tissues around the ovaries (usually the uterus) and are actually composed of muscle cells and dense tissues. In my case, only the cysts caused so much pain and heavy bleeding, but my myomas were "harmless". 

I also experienced bowel problems. I had difficulties with my bowel movement. I had to have yoghurt at least once a day in order for me to move every day.  It was only during my third surgery in 2019 that I and my doctors discovered that I had extreme intestinal adhesions due to endometriosis. 

Around 2012 or 2013, I found out that I also had hematosalpinx after having my bi-annual pelvic ultrasound. Hematosalpinx occurs when menstrual flow gets clogged up in the fallopian tubes instead of completely being excreted by the body. This causes the fallopian tube to inflame. I think the biggest size of my hematosalpinx before medication was 12cm. 

Another complication that I had was adenomyosis, which was only discovered when I had my TAHBSO (Total Abdominal Hysterectomy and Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy) in December 2019.  It never came up in all my pelvic ultrasounds, and I was surprised that it was listed down as one of my conditions in the Surgery Report. I never asked my Ob-Gyn about it after my surgery (I kept on forgetting, honestly).  Adenomyosis occurs when endometrial tissues grow within the uterine walls. Adenomyosis usually remains undetected. 

Other than the major complications I listed above, the other common complications are constant pelvic pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, back pains, and heavy bleeding. Bleeding can occur anytime and not only during menstruation. In my case, I experienced bleeding if I had physically exhausting activities during the week. 

If you have friends and relatives who are diagnosed with endometriosis, be more understanding of them. The pain and stress caused by endometriosis can not only affect them physically but emotionally and mentally as well. 

REFERENCES: 

Fertilitypedia. (n.d.) "Hematosalpinx". Retrieved from https://fertilitypedia.org/edu/diagnoses/hematosalpinx

NCH Healthcare System. (2015, April). "Adenomyosis". Retrieved from https://www.nchmd.org/education/mayo-health-library/details/CON-20369122

USA Fibroid Centers. (2020, June). "Ovarian Cysts and Fibroids: What's the Difference?" Retrieved from https://www.usafibroidcenters.com/blog/ovarian-cysts-and-fibroids-whats-the-difference/

Endometriosis and Back Pain

Endometriosis can also cause back pain, but there are two kinds. The first kind is lower back pain which is caused by endometrial cells sticking to your lower back.  The second kind is upper back pain which is caused by poor posture and thick pillows.

In my experience, lower back pain can be minimized by taking pain medicine and by having adequate rest.  Whenever I experience this kind of pain, I would lie on my back for hours until I feel better. For some women, however, taking pain meds and resting would not alleviate lower back pains.  For excruciating pain, better check with your Ob-Gyn.

Upper back pain is usually caused by poor posture.  Sometimes, even unusual sleeping positions and using thick pillows result to back pain.

Here are some of the things I do to minimize back pain:
1.  Visit the chiropractor.  I visit the chiropractor at least once a year to have my spine straightened. It works wonders for me.
2.  Try acupuncture.  I am blessed to have a chiropractor who is, at the same time, a certified acupuncturist.  I used to have bi-monthly acupuncture sessions with my chiro.  The purpose of my acupuncture is to minimize pain and to improve blood flow.  Just a warning though. Be sure that your acupuncturist is certified or licensed. My chiro, who is also my acupuncturist, studied acupuncture in a well-known university in China.  Acupuncture is actually dangerous if the practitioner is not very knowledgeable on the matter.  Also, be sure that new needles are used for your sessions. If you want to know the contact details of my chiropractor/acupuncturist, just email or message me. Bacolod City area only. (Bacolod City is in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines).
3.  Do not use a pillow on your head if you are lying on your back while sleeping.
4.  Do stretching exercises specifically for back pains.

For my pains caused by endometriosis (whether directly or indirectly), I avoid taking medicine as much as possible. Instead, I try other remedies so as to take care of my liver and kidneys.

Endometriosis and Yoga

In my previous post, I stated that herbal medicine did not work on me. In fact, it made my cysts bigger.  However, this did not mean that I stopped looking for therapies to deal with my endo pain. One of the therapies I tried was yoga.  I researched it and a lot of women with endo testified that yoga helped with the management of endo pain.

Most women are hesitant to practice yoga because they think that they have to be a member of a yoga studio or that you need to have a yoga teacher.  They think that there is also the need to have yoga attire and a yoga mat.  In addition, some women fear that they are not flexible enough or fit enough to practice yoga.  For working women, they think that practicing yoga might take a lot of their time, and for those living in small houses or apartments, they think that they do not have enough space to practice yoga.

In other words, some women are doubtful about practicing yoga because:
1. It sounds costly.
2. It might be awkward.
3. It might take a lot of their time.
4. They don't have enough space in their house.

Naturally, women with endo consider the cost of anything they indulge themselves in.  This is understandable.  Endo costs money: for medicine, hospitalization, surgery, therapies, etc. In my case, I did not spend money to practice yoga.  I am not a member of a yoga studio nor do I have a yoga teacher.  I simply read online articles and ask advice from friends on how to properly practice yoga.  I also searched for yoga videos on YouTube that focus on endometriosis and reproductive and pelvic health, then, I practiced yoga by myself in the comfort of my home. I don't have to think about awkwardness because I am alone anyway. I usually practice yoga in our living room in front of the TV.  I would just play the yoga video and I would just follow the poses being shown.  Sometimes, I would practice yoga in the bedroom and use my laptop to play the videos. There is no need for a big space to practice yoga.  It also does not take much of my time to practice yoga. During workdays, I would do a 5- to 10-minute yoga every morning, and a 30-minute yoga before going to bed. During rest days, I can choose to practice for a longer time.

Yoga helped reduce my endo pain, and minimized bloating and indigestion. It has also made me more flexible, hence reducing the body pains I feel after physical activities.  Yoga is also a great stress reliever, and lastly, I noticed that my fats around the belly are greatly reduced if I practice several times a week.

I highly recommend yoga as a therapy for endo pain, and as a form of exercise for overall wellness.

Endometriosis and Alternative Medicine

Other than Western or Modern Medicine, I have also tried Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), more specifically, herbal medicine. According to the herbal specialist who was introduced to me in 2010, herbal medicine can help reduce the size of my cysts, and then, promote pregnancy.

The herbalist gave me a long list of herbal or natural medicine that I should take to help treat my endometriosis.  Most of the "medicine" he prescribed to me were plant-based capsules.  I can't remember the names and kinds of medicine but there were a lot of them.  Some should be taken several times a day.  Some should be taken a few times a week. 

Sadly, I did not inform my Ob-Gyn when I consulted with the herbalist.  I knew that she would discourage me from doing so.  But then, I was intrigued by the herbalist because he said there were a few women who testified that their cysts grew smaller after a month of taking the medicine he prescribed.  He even told me about a couple who had a baby.

And so, I spent a few thousand pesos to buy the medicine he prescribed, and started taking the meds for a month. Indeed, the herbal medicine helped with the pain and with my monthly period.  I felt healthy, and I even gained a little weight. 

To check if the herbal medicine worked, I had an ultrasound.  The results were not as I expected.  My cysts grew bigger.  If I remember correctly, I had one cyst in my right ovary and around 3 cysts in my left ovary, and all of them grew significantly bigger a month after taking the herbal meds.  Because of the turn of events, my Ob-Gyn told me that I needed another surgery because one of the cysts got really big and might rupture.  I told my Ob-Gyn about the herbal meds, and she told me that not all women have the same reaction to herbal meds.  Indeed, it is true that some women have positive results, i,e, that is, their cysts grew smaller, but for some women, the result is just like what happened to me: the cysts grew bigger. But still, herbal meds are not a cure for endo.  They are simply treatments, which may or may not work. 

After my trial with herbal meds, I, once again, underwent surgery.  For my second surgery, not all of the cysts were removed because one cyst in my left ovary was very difficult to remove.  My Ob-Gyn said that if she persisted in removing that cyst, I might have had extensive bleeding during the surgery. Though she noted that my cervix and uterus were significantly healthier.

So, this was the result of the herbal meds to my body: my cervix and uterus became healthier but my cysts grew significantly bigger.

These are the lessons in my experience with herbal meds.  First, women have different reactions to herbal meds.  Alternative medicine might or might not work for you.  Always consider all your options before trying herbal medicine or any other CAM. Most of these alternative medicine has not been scientifically studied thoroughly and is not regulated by the government. "Natural" does not always mean safe.  Second, always inform your Ob-Gyn about the alternative treatments that you are trying out.  If he/she has any comments about alternative meds, be sure to listen and take his/her advice. 

Endometriosis: Married with No Kids

In my older blog (Kolourful World of Koolkolourz), I've written a piece entitled "Married with No Kids" enumerating in there all the unhelpful things that people say to me and my husband as a couple with no kids. In this blog, I will focus more on endometriosis and how it affects a woman's married life.

My husband and I got married in 2008, and we were TTC (Trying to Conceive).  As I mentioned in my older post (Endometriosis: It Runs in the Family), having endometriosis does not automatically mean that a woman is infertile.  Like me, for instance, I still ovulate but conception is challenging.  Inflammation, scarring, and adhesion caused by endo usually block the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and even the ovaries.

Let me clarify though, even though we are TTC, we wanted it to be the natural way.  My Ob-gyn did not encourage us to use artificial means of conception because, she said, there is a high probability of birth defects. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reported on the statistics based on 2 fertility clinics in South Australia. The risk of birth defects in assisted conception is 8%.

As InVitro Fertilization (IVF) is rather expensive, I asked my Ob-Gyn if we can opt for the more affordable means, which is taking clomiphene citrate (most common brand is Clomid). She discouraged me, however, stating that this medication has a high probability of birth defects.  And she was right.  In the same study mentioned above, women who take the med without medical supervision has a 300% risk of birth defects.

So, what is the hope for endometriosis patients?  The first source of hope is always prayer. It is God who is the Giver of Life and it is His will whether or not to give a couple children or not. Second, opt for natural conception by deciding on a healthier lifestyle. Lastly, if you can afford artificial conception, go for it.  But be sure to discuss the pros and cons with your Ob-Gyn.  Ask for a second or third opinion from other doctors.  If you have apprehensions on the morality and spirituality of the artificial means of conception, ask counsel from your pastor or minister.






Sources:
Goodman, Brenda (2012. May 5). Infertility Treatments May Raise Birth Defect Risk. WebMD. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/news/20120505/infertility-treatments-may-raise-birth-defect-risk#1

Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Endometriosis

After my first surgery in 2002, everything went back to normal. At first. A year or two later, I started having stomach problems. Every time I ate certain kinds of food, I suffered from stomach spasms. My stomach spasms were extremely painful that even if I took pain medication, the pain would still persist.  The pain I felt was as if my stomach and intestines were being twisted inside me. During the moments when I was having my stomach spasms or stomach cramps, my stomach could not hold anything down.  Not even water.  I vomited everything that went into my stomach.  After a day or two without having food or water, my stomach would just calm down, and my digestion would just go back to normal. I would usually take pain medication or hyoscine butyl bromide (most common brand is Buscopan) to calm my stomach spasms.

I visited a gastroenterologist, and I was told that I have gastrointestinal allergies, since I only reacted to certain kinds of food.  So, I went to an allergologist and had an allergy test. I was and still am allergic to all sorts of food: onion, cabbage, wheat bread, guava, chicken, seafood, etc.

After I was made aware of my allergies, I regulated my food intake.  I was able to manage my gastrointestinal allergies, and my stomach spasms.  Though there were times that my stomach spasms would be so intense that I was hospitalized a few times.

Bowel symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, or GI symptoms, are common in women with endometriosis. According to a study, 60% of women diagnosed with endometriosis have gastrointestinal symptoms. Another study indicates that it is actually 90% of women with endo who have GI symptoms. In fact, some of these women were diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and other gastrointestinal conditions.  Well, some of these women really have GI conditions, but it is only later on that they were properly diagnosed as having endometriosis.

The cause of GI symptoms can be one of two things: endometriosis has affected the bowel itself, or endometrial growth or lesions are near the bowel.  So far, after several ultrasounds and surgeries, there was no indication that my bowels have endometrial lesions or growth.  My endo only affected my reproductive system.  But still, I have GI symptoms, which include: stomach cramps or spasms, indigestion, bloating, and constipation. There are other GI symptoms but the ones I mentioned are the only ones I experienced.

What do all these mean for women? If you are experiencing GI symptoms, visit both a gastroenterologist and an ob-gyn.  It is possible that you indeed have a GI condition like IBS, but it is also very possible that you have endometriosis.

Links: Why did I need this surgery? Check out my previous post here: I Have Endometriosis: The Diagnosis

Sources:
Sinervo, Ken. (2018). Endometriosis and Bowel Symptoms. Center for Endometriosis Care. Retrieved from http://centerforendo.com/endometriosis-and-bowel-symptoms

Orbuch, Iris. (2020). Endometriosis and Gastrointestinal Symptoms. Retrieved from https://www.lagyndr.com/endometriosis/endometriosis-and-gastrointestinal-symptoms/

Endometriosis: It Runs in the Family

In my previous post, I mentioned that I indeed went through the surgery in 2002, but my ovaries were healthy so only the cyst was removed.  Despite the inconveniences of the surgery, I was able to recover fast.

Surgeries (or hysterectomies) are not something new to me, however, because my grandmother and mother also underwent surgeries.  Both of them also have endometriosis.  For my grandmother, the condition only got worse when she was already in her 60s.  My grandmother was able to bear 10 children, so quite obviously, endo did not make her infertile.  My mother also had two surgeries because of endometriosis.  But then again, my mother already had us (two children) when she had her surgeries.  Studies show that 30 - 50% of women with endometriosis suffer from infertility, and sadly, I am one of them. So, does this mean that if a woman has endometriosis, she does not ovulate?  Not necessarily.  Women with endometriosis still ovulate but inflammation, scarring, and adhesion caused by the condition usually block the fallopian tubes, the uterus, and even the ovaries.

A study made in 1999 shows that endometriosis exists in female relatives like sisters, cousins, aunts, grandmothers, and mothers. A 2002 study even shows that even distant relatives pose a risk for endometriosis.

So, if anyone in your family is diagnosed with endometriosis, it is safer for all the women in the family to visit the Ob-Gyn.  It is so much better to see the doctor in the early stages of endo, rather than wait for it or its symptoms to get worse.

References:
"Do Genetics Play a Role in Developing Endometriosis?" Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/endometriosis/is-endometriosis-hereditary

"Endometriosis Symptoms: Infertility" Endometriosis Foundation of America. Retrieved from https://www.endofound.org/infertility

"Endometriosis and Infertility". Medical News Today. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323508#endometriosis-and-infertility

Endometriosis: There is No Cure

I will now go back to my "origin story". Back to 2002.  I had already scheduled my surgery for October, but of course, because of the size of my cyst, it was risky to involve myself in physical activities.  I had to exempt myself from strenuous tasks.  I remember that I could not run or walk fast.  I just had to maintain a moderate-paced walk.

As my surgery drew near, there was this urge in me to try and avoid it.  No, I was not afraid of the surgery or even of death. I was just bothered by the inconvenience of it.  My doctor told me that after surgery, I had to rest for 2 months, and then my surgery would only thoroughly heal after 2 years.  I asked my Ob-Gyn if there was a possibility for my cyst to be treated through oral medicine.  But she explained to me, that given the size of the cyst, oral medicine would not work anymore.  Surgery was the only solution.

At that time, I thought that after the surgery everything would be okay - that the cysts would not recur, and that the endometriosis would be cured as well.  I was wrong.  I discovered the harsh truth only later on. Endometriosis has no cure. There are treatments.  But there is no cure.

Surgery/hysterectomy is not a cure.  It will only minimize the intolerable symptoms of endometriosis. Hormone therapy, birth control pills, and other medication do not cure endo.  They can only slow down the growth of endometrial tissue or cells and keep them from spreading to other organs. Dietary changes, alternative medicine, and herbal therapy are not cures, as well. These can only reduce the symptoms of endo.  Menopause and pregnancy do not cure endo. After menopause and pregnancy, symptoms still recur.

I had no choice then but to go through the surgery.  Thankfully, my ovaries were still healthy, and the doctor only removed the cyst.  Since I was still young that time, I recovered quickly.  Two weeks after my surgery, I was already going to the mall. I also did not take a leave from law school.  I enrolled for the second semester.

For endo warriors, have you had any experience of people telling you that endo has a cure? Drop me a line and tell your story.

I HAVE ENDOMETRIOSIS: What is Endometriosis?

After I was hospitalized last October 2019, some of my grad school classmates asked me why.  And I told them that I had an infection due to my endometriosis.  One of my male classmates retorted that he could not even pronounce my condition, much less understand it.

I observed that in Filipino societies, we seldom talk about our health conditions, and we are, at times, dismissive about the sufferings of other people.  We say things like "Your depression is just a phase", and "Anxiety is not a real health problem". We even have this local Hiligaynon expression "Layo sa atay"- which can be roughly translated as "It's far from your liver".    What we actually mean when we say this is that a person's health condition is not serious, and he/she will not die from it.

In fact, when I went to the PWD office two years ago to get a PWD ID for my endometriosis, the person who entertained me said, "Those are just cysts and mayomas.  They can be removed through surgery.  Your condition is nothing serious."  Nothing serious.

Endometriosis is a serious condition. Some women who suffer from endometriosis can not function well because of the pain they are experiencing.  Some can't even have regular jobs because when the pain occurs, they can't get out of bed and at times, need to be hospitalized.

I am not a doctor but I know and I understand my condition.  Here is the description of endometriosis from Live Science:

"Endometriosis is a medical condition that occurs when the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, grows in other places, such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries or along the pelvis. When that lining breaks down, like the regular lining in the uterus that produces the menstruation, it has nowhere to go. This causes cysts, heavy periods, severe cramps and even infertility." [Chan, Amanda. (2015. March 5). Endometriosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. Live Science. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/34722-endometriosis-causes-symptoms-treatments.html]

In other words, endometriosis is when a woman's endometrium or endometrial cells grow in places where they are not supposed to grow.  Symptoms and complications vary for each woman.  Here is a short list of the symptoms and complications I have had due to my endo:

• Pelvic pain during menstruation and ovulation
• Difficulty and pain during bowel movement
• Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
• Fertility problem
• Hematosalpinx (bleeding in the fallopian tubes)
• Intestinal adhesions
• Indigestion

If you are an endo warrior like me, what symptoms or complications have you experienced?  Comment below.

I HAVE ENDOMETRIOSIS : The Diagnosis

A single event in our lives usually changes our entire future. We are not living in the fantasy world of comic books where we can choose to live in a different timeline or a different universe. And that is where I'll start: a single event that changed my life.

In the year 2002, I was in my second year in law school. I was active in curricular and extra-curricular activities.  It was a fateful day in July of that year when I experienced extreme abdominal pains. At first, I thought it was just period pains but it was getting worse as the day progressed.  I was attending a youth symposium and I had to go home early because of the pain, which started from my abdomen and ran down to my thighs.   I could hardly walk.

The truth is I was experiencing period pains for almost a year but I thought it was just normal.  Older folks would usually tell young women that period pains are normal, and that you could just take painkillers for it or even do hot compress on your lower abdomen.

The pain persisted for two days, and so I went to an internist thinking that I had ulcers or there was something wrong with my appendix.  I could feel the pain in my entire abdominal area. It was a throbbing pain.  It felt as if something was moving inside my stomach.  It was like an alien struggling to burst through. The internist ordered me to have an abdominal ultrasound (which focused on the upper abdominal area) but she couldn't find anything wrong.  However, she suggested that I go to an Ob-Gyn because the pain might be connected to my period.

I went to the Ob-Gyn, and this time, the ultrasound was focused only on my lower abdomen. That was when the Ob-Gyn informed me that I had a chocolate cyst and that I was suffering from endometriosis. The doctor advised me to have surgery right away because the cyst was so big - it was the size of a tennis ball - that it could rupture at any time.  I was young and I wasn't aware that endometriosis is a serious condition or that having a ruptured cyst is actually dangerous.  I asked the doctor to schedule my surgery during the semestral break, which was still in October.

I learned two things from this experience that I wish I knew before.  First, extreme period pains are not normal. Period cramps are normal. Period headaches are normal. But extreme pain where you can hardly get out of bed or you can hardly walk is not normal.  If I had known about this, I should have visited the doctor earlier.  Second, always ask your doctor about your condition thoroughly, or if you can't ask your doctor, do your own research.  When my Ob-Gyn said that I have endometriosis, I did not ask any follow-up questions nor did I make my own research.  I was young and reckless with the thought that everything would be okay. Well, years later, it wouldn't be okay anymore.

I was 22 years old when I was diagnosed with endometriosis.

A New Blog: Life and Lovingkindness

I used to be an active blogger years ago.  My original blog is koolkolourz.blogspot.com, but if you check the blog, my last post was in 2017.  I love writing but I stopped blogging because I was so busy with work, and sometimes, I just didn't know what to write about. If you check my original blog, the posts are sensible but I guess, they lacked depth. I was also writing about my experiences, my observations, and my learnings, but I felt that I am not contributing anything positive to anyone. 

Years have passed though and I am older, and hopefully, wiser.  I have experienced a lot these past few years and I finally feel that I have found my place - that I already know what to write about.  I believe that I have enough experiences to share with the world that would impact a few people positively. Yes, that is my prayer - that through this new blog, I can touch the lives of even just a few people.

Image layout by koolkolourz.

I took the title of this blog from Job 10:12 (The Bible).  This verse has a deep meaning for me because I read the verse just a month after I almost died. It's true. Once you encountered a near-death experience, your view of the world changes. Your priorities change. Your heart and mind go to a higher place - you learn to value things that are eternal rather than those things that are merely temporal.

I might seem to be writing in riddles right now but in my next posts, I will be sharing my experiences that will explain why Job 10:12 is an important verse in my life.