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TOLD SHE’D NEVER HAVE ANOTHER CHILD
BECAUSE OF ENDOMETRIOSIS, Maria Rivera searched NYC; found solution in Atlanta
By Patrice Dickey In their early thirties, Stephen, Maria and their young son Stephen Rivera were a happy family in central New Jersey. But the Riveras were hoping to have one more child … especially for Stephen Junior. “He always wanted a brother and sister and asked why he was alone,” said Maria, “and we didn’t want him to be an only child.” But for years, Maria had known that something was terribly wrong. Not only was she not getting pregnant, she was in constant, excruciating pain. “The pain and bloating were really bad with my periods, but four or five doctors in New York including my infertility (IVF) specialist couldn’t tell me how to fix it. In fact my own gynecologist told me I needed to have a hysterectomy. This was simply not acceptable,” she added. Her first diagnostic laparoscopy left the IVF specialist dumbfounded. “After seven hours of surgery he discovered that I had Stage IV endometriosis which had invaded my bowel and even up to my lung,” said Rivera. “After that they pumped me up on more shots for fertility—and we NOW know that this does nothing to help cure endometriosis.” This painful condition which affects up to six million American women involves abnormal endometrial tissue (the uterine lining) growing elsewhere in the abdominal cavity –and even as far away as a woman’s throat. The misplaced tissue creates severe inflammation, causing painful scarring. Presently, there is no cure for endometriosis. But with the correct diagnosis performed by an endometriosis specialist, there is hope. Through a timely and coincidental connection, the Riveras found Atlanta gynecologic specialist Tom Lyons, MD, co-author of What To Do When the Doctor Says It’s Endometriosis (Fair Winds Press). On their first visit to Dr. Lyons in Atlanta they learned:
“Regarding endometriosis, I don’t believe the fertility doctors or regular GYNs know what they’re talking about,” said Maria. “I haven’t had one friend in NYC who’s had endo who could find a doctor here to help her. I really believe that Dr. Lyons’ degree of surgical skill, which removed this severe endo and preserved my uterus, enabled me to get pregnant again. I refer everybody to him. I’d go nowhere else for any other procedure.” In 1998, the Riveras delighted older brother Stephen with his younger siblings Victoria, Christopher and Michael. “We are so happy, and blessed! It’s such a huge job taking care of children—I have to feel good,” she said. “Before the excisional surgery I couldn’t even take care of my one son—how could I handle four if I were in such pain?” Dr. Lyons, who has been treating women with endometriosis for 25 years, says that communication with your doctor is key. He is one of the few minimally invasive surgeons in the United States who removes the disease below its root using surgical excision rather than merely lasering it off the surface, which may enable it to grow back. “Although there is no cure, treatment options abound. The possibilities for pain relief are many. A careful assessment of your unique symptoms along with a physical exam should point the way for your doctor to help improve your quality of life. Be responsible for getting the treatment you desire. You and your loved ones all will benefit,” said Lyons. Patients seek out Dr. Lyons from around the world for the advanced gynecological procedures he has developed. He also trains surgeons worldwide in these procedures, the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy and the laparoscopic Burch procedure.
Center for Women's Care &
Reproductive Surgery© 2006 |
What To Do When the Doctor Says It's Endometriosis
"Everything you need to know to stop the pain and heal your fertility."
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