Leigh Graves Wolf

Inspired by Howard, Colleen, Andy and Kari, I thought I would give you some insight into my medical story.  The story started almost 4 years ago when I was diagnosed with endometriosis and hopefully, after yesterday, has come to its final chapter.  In talking with my close friends, many also suffer with the disease.  After much prodding and procedures it was determined I had an especially delicate case since it was suspected that the disease had entered my colon.  As you can imagine, this caused quite distressing pain.  I had great fear of going into surgery  – as the risks were quite overwhelming.  So, as an initial treatment plan I was advised to try hormone suppression therapy (i.e. forced menopause).  I tried that for about a year and while it stopped the worse symptoms of the disease, it caused a plethora of unpleasant and unbearable side effects.

I quit the medication for almost a year and 1/2 and then, towards the end of last year, things boiled back up to being unbearable again.  In December, I made the decision to take care of myself and go the surgical route.  I was referred to Dr. Tommaso Falcone at the Cleveland Clinic. From our inital meeting, to the surgery yesterday, I never had a single doubt or fear. Dr. Falcone is an amazing professional and the staff at the Cleveland Clinic, from the front desk, to pre-op, to the recovery room was and is world class.

During the surgery yesterday – Dr. Falcone removed the endometriosis from my ovaries, bladder, and bowel.  He removed my appendix which was completely covered by the endometriosis and another specialist was called into the surgery to assist with my colon, which had been bound and twisted by the enodmetriosis.  No wonder I was in so much pain! Though I am rough around the edges after the surgery, I’m confident that I made the right decision and that my insides have finally been set straight!

I can’t thank all of you enough for the outpouring of support – I often proclaim my love for my social network and all of the messages/tweets/posts sure do make me feel loved.  There is one very special person who deserves public thanks (over and over) – my husband Scott.  While I focused hiding my pain at work and school, I did not hide it at home.  I thank and love him for sticking with me, especially during the low points over the past few years.  I look forward to getting back on track and being healthy and happy!

I’m staying low-key for the next couple of days (hard for me to do!) – I look forward to getting back at it very soon! xoxo