Excision of Bartholin's Gland

As many of you know this year has been a series of surgeries, doctor's visits and painful episodes due to my Bartholin's cysts/abscesses. I finally made the difficult decision to remove the gland entirely with the careful direction of my doctors. A decision I hope will be the beginning of regulating my life again. In the last 9 months, I've had 5-6 cysts that quickly progress to large abscesses, two of which were removed surgically, the rest drained in office. After surgeries and drainings, comes the painful recovery times. Packing and catheters and invasive doctor's visits. Being made to feel, that maybe my pain threshold is lower than most, while being cut open over and over again, in the most tender area of a woman's body. It's been quite the journey, and one I hope is quickly coming to an end. 

Today, I'm sore and already sick of lying in bed. I'm so thankful for my mother who has been by my side through it all. Driving from Houston to Austin at 5 a.m. because I call her hysterical in the most unimaginable pain. Finally dragging me to the Emergency Room at 3 in the morning, after I'm bleeding everywhere unable to open my legs wide enough to enter my shower. Forcing me to eat when all I wanted to do was feel sorry for myself in my bed,wondering if I will ever be able to maintain a normal life again. She is truly the most selfless human being on this Earth and without her, I would of never of made it through this time in my life. I'm also lucky to be in a relationship with someone who has been so understanding and patient through this process. He's witnessed the horrific agony I have been in, and assured me I would see the other side. Without, my friends and family's support this would have been far more difficult. ( Even my mom's furry friend has been here every step of the way) 

 I feel hopeful,today. My doctors feel that this will drastically lower my risk of ever having another abscess or cyst again. It was a bold move,but necessary. It will not risk my chance of having children, if I decide to do so in the future. Women have two bartholin's glands, so removing one will still allow the other to do what it was meant to do. I've visited all my doctors and I am getting healthy again. I've made changes to my diet, my routine and necessary arrangements to my every day life to do anything and everything I can to make myself healthy again. To anyone experiencing this or any silent health battle, I hope you know you are not alone. Do not allow anyone make you feel like your pain is not real or you are exaggerating. Take control of your life, make the changes needed, TRY ANYTHING. Make educated decisions based on your own research and that of your trusted doctors. Women are so resilient and strong and our bodies are amazing and we can heal through the most extreme experiences. Trust your instincts, if something is wrong, you know your body more than anyone. Make and take notes, the sooner you notice something wrong, the sooner you can fix it and prevent it from getting worse. I'll keep you posted on my journey to healing. I will be home for the next two weeks, in order to allow my body to fully heal. Encouragement and prayers are much appreciated. As always, thank you for reading.