I was diagnosed with endometriosis at just 14 years old. My symptoms started even earlier; I got my first period in 4th grade, and from that point on, I was constantly in and out of the ER with severe cramps and ruptured cysts. Each time, I was sent home with little more than pain medication and no real answers.

At 14, an on-call OBGYN finally took a closer look after finding a large ovarian cyst. I was referred to the only gynecologist in my city who would see someone my age. She suspected endometriosis and scheduled surgery to confirm it.

Over the next 13 years, I endured nine surgeries — all ablations, not excisions. At the time, I didn’t realize that ablation only burns the surface of endometriosis rather than removing it completely. Those procedures gave me temporary relief at best, but the disease continued to grow deeper each time. I’ve also gone through multiple rounds of physical therapy, a month-long pain rehabilitation program at the Mayo Clinic, nerve block and trigger-point injections, cortisone shots, and countless medications — all without lasting relief.

Today, at 27, I’m in $20,000 of medical debt from years of ER visits and those repeated ablations. Accessing true excision surgery has become my only real chance at long-term relief. I’m scheduled for my next, and hopefully final, surgery at the Center for Endometriosis Care with Dr. Ken Sinervo.

I’m both nervous and hopeful. Because of the disease’s overgrowth and the scar tissue left behind from prior ablations, there’s a chance I’ll need a bowel resection during surgery. The idea of a more invasive recovery and possible overnight stay is intimidating, but I’m ready to finally take the step that could change my life.

I just want to live without debilitating pain every day. After years of being dismissed and patched together by temporary fixes, excision surgery feels like my first real shot at healing.

With Love & Gratitude,

Nicole Hancock