*DISCLAIMER: This sharing is based on personal experience. There are no two bodies alike so what works for one doesn’t necessarily work for the other. Please seek professional advice before attempting any information obtained online.
*This post is a continuation of:
In this part 2, I feel it is important to first share the journey of how I attained a proper diagnosis and how important it is to have an adept surgeon should one opt for Endometriosis excision especially on complex deeply infiltrated cases. This would determine the quality of life one would achieve and therefore the pain management one should consider. In the next post, I will share more on how I manage my pain in relation to instilling physical habits.
I was properly diagnosed with stage 4 Endometriosis in 2014 only after going on a merry-go-round for what feels like the longest 1 year since the first A&E in 2012. That is also after I had gone through myomectomy, cystectomy & polypectomy which do not alleviate my pain in any way. Once I decided to take control of my life (as shared in Part 1), I started educating myself on Endometriosis and how it resonates with what I am facing. With the help from Nancy Petersen of Nancy’s Nook, I was guided to consult Doctor Peter Barton-Smith; a renowned specialist in reproductive issues who has presented and proctored in many countries on Endometriosis and robotic surgery and has one of the largest robotic case series worldwide for the excision of complex diseases.
Unlike now, Endometriosis received zero attention back then. Not even one local media article nor a support system which highlights the complexity of Endometriosis. I honestly do not expect much from the first consultation with Doctor Peter Barton Smith. Because of the countless ‘specialists’ I met before; both in the public and private practice, who have left me with the same gutted feeling, I am prepared to be disappointed again. They were dismissive and told me to conceive soon which in no way applicable to me who is then single. Doctor Peter Barton Smith’s sympathetic approach totally caught me by surprise. I’ve never met a doctor who is both attentive and highly skilled. I remembered how exhausted I was emotionally to have to deal with another consultation all over again that I wrote to him a letter of what I have been going through. I handed the letter to him when I was called in for my first consultation with him. I thought he would just skim it through and chuck it aside, instead, he read it carefully and acknowledged it, even circling some points for further clarification. Doctor Peter Barton Smith always takes his time listening and planning the treatments together with me, getting me involved and empowered me to ask questions and make decisions in every step of the way, rather than the usual ‘I say you do’ kind of approach.
You may also click on the link below to see the excision surgery video: https://youtu.be/cVEM20atTyQ
The extensive robotic excision which I had in 2014 under his care has relieved so much of the pain that I was able to get back in the gym and break my personal best time and time again (click on the image above to see the excision surgery video). My quality of life has improved by so much despite being in stage 4 thanks to his expertise in this field and amazing outlook in providing care for his patients.
Doctor Peter Barton Smith left Singapore in 2016 to open his own Endometriosis Clinic in United Kingdom. E for Endometriosis had the first meet and greet and also to bid him farewell.
Doctor Peter Barton Smith continues to leave a footprint on the heart of his patients and actively creates awareness as he strongly believes in its importance. I can never thank you enough Doc!
Namira Mohamad Marsudi
Founder
E for Endometriosis
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