Navigating the Journey: Embracing Change and Finding Relief
Uterus Eviction Notice: Coming Soon!
Hi friends.
Well, here I am, halfway through the summer holiday with my little one. She's having a blast going up north with family, visiting local markets, ice cream shops, and parks. Meanwhile, I've been enjoying the hustle and bustle behind the scenes at Universal Doula. Since my official launch and graduation, I've found joy in the hard work I've put in so far—reading new books, listening to doula podcasts, signing up for new educational courses, and connecting with all sorts of birth workers in Durham Region and beyond!
My husband has been working, but he's managed to schedule his vacation to get long weekends throughout the summer, which has been wonderful. We've been able to spend a lot of quality time together as a family, making the most of these beautiful summer days.
I've also been connecting with wonderful parents, helping them craft birth plans, attending births, and assisting with postpartum healing and house calls. It's been a rewarding journey, and each experience deepens my passion for this work.
In one of my previous posts, I shared my journey to getting a tubal ligation, which was a significant step for me. However, there's more to my personal feminine health story that I'd like to share. When I was 12, I started my period. I remember it being awful and painful, and I often felt out of place. For someone who eagerly awaited puberty, I quickly regretted wishing for it to come so soon. Throughout my teens and early 20s, I endured some of the worst periods imaginable, with pain so severe that even my labor contractions felt mild in comparison. I often thought about going to the hospital but hesitated, fearing I wouldn't be believed. I relied heavily on pain medications, often going through bottles of Tylenol, Advil, and Midol with little relief.
After having my daughter and deciding not to have more children, I pursued a tubal ligation. While tubal ligation stops pregnancy, it doesn't stop pain and heavy bleeding. Eventually, a friend recommended the NovaSure endometrial ablation, which provided relief for about two years. However, I started experiencing breakthrough pain, including all the symptoms of my periods minus the bleeding. This pain was debilitating, affecting my quality of life and making it difficult to participate in family activities.
After years of enduring this pain, I finally found a doctor who listened to my concerns. The doctor suspects I have adenomyosis, endometriosis, and cysts, particularly in the right side of my body where I experience the most pain. Despite numerous ultrasounds and tests, the exact issue remains unclear, but the pain is undeniable. The doctor recommended a laparoscopic hysterectomy, removing everything including my cervix but leaving my ovaries. This decision wasn't easy, but I believe it's the right one for me.
I'll be scheduling the surgery for this winter, taking time off to recover fully and practice the recovery self-care I preach to my clients. While I'm a bit nervous, I'm also hopeful. A friend recently had a similar procedure with great results, and her strength inspires me.
I'll keep you updated as I go through this journey. Having a platform to share my story means the world to me, and I appreciate your support.
Until next time,
Coral Adams
Universal Doula
