Day 12 Prompt: If you could go back in time and talk to yourself on the day of your diagnosis, what would you say?
If I was able to go back to the day of my diagnosis, I think I would emphasis just how important it is to become an advocate for oneself. Almost immediately after my diagnostic surgery, I began researching my disease so I could be informed and found myself an online support community which I think helped me tremendously in avoiding some of the isolation and depression that can come with receiving a chronic illness diagnosis but I didn’t quite understand the power that I held as a patient in choosing my own treatment. I thank God every day that He provided me with fabulous doctor as soon as I started having symptoms and I was able to be diagnosed within a matter of weeks (when I know most women struggle for years before receiving a diagnosis). Immediately following my diagnosis, she offered Lupron as a course of treatment. My regret is not taking the time to research this treatment before taking it. Something in my gut made me question it but because it was suggested by my doctor, at the time, I didn’t realize I had the option to say no. Looking back and knowing how hard the treatment was on my body, not only during the treatment but for years afterwards, I wish that I had listened to my gut instead of my doctor. In the ten years since my diagnosis, the most important lesson I have learned is to trust my gut and listen to my body so if I could go back to day one, I would definitely offer myself that piece of advice.
I´m so glad for you that you got help in such a short time. I went to different doctors, but they didn`t believe me, so it took nearly a year before I got the help I needed. I´ve done a lot of research myself, and I´ve been part of an online community, or a facebook group that is, but I´m not sure if I feel comfortable with it, because when I read posts, it´s all about searching for pain, and other negative things, which kinda makes me feel the victim mentality. And it also makes me think more about the pain, making me feel more sick, instead of focusing on more positive aspects of life.
I can totally see where you are coming from. I have been a part of online groups where the vast majority of posts are negative and there seems to be the prevalent victim mentality. It can be very draining. I understand the importance of having a place where you feel safe to vent about pain to a group of individuals that can truly understand how you feel. I get that but I think it can be easy to get sucked in and suddenly a group that you visit for support and encouragement becomes a drain on you physically, emotionally, and mentally. It is so important to find a place where, while you can feel safe to vent, you are more importantly surrounded by support and are inspired to focus on the positive things in life.
I totally agree with listening to your body and going with your gut instincts because I ignored that there may be something wrong and listened to doctors that I didn’t have endometriosis and I regret that. But since last year, for fertility reasons also I decided no more and to listen to my body and push for my diagnosis.
I am so glad you were able to get your diagnosis! If I hadn’t pushed for a second opinion and chosen a new GI office, I wonder if I would have ever gotten my Celiac diagnosis! My first GI office just kept telling me to eat more yogurt! I hope you have been able to find a great doctor who listens!
Yes thank you I found a fantastic endo specialist who did the surgery and my doctor who I found last year is wonderful and she has done so much for me and really wants to help I am so thankful. I’m glad you got your celiac diagnosis x