Re: university
From: Renee (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri Jan 22 12:46:01 1999
April--
I had endo throughout my university days. I ignored my symptoms and did
not get treatment from an endo specialist early on. I ended up having
stage four endo in my thirties which seriously effected my ability to
work and get pregnant. You might want to consider getting yourself to
an endo specialist, not a gyn, get this taken care of while taking a
semester off. You have a serious illness which will continue to grow if
left to its own devices and get worse, not better. You can learn more
about early treatment options by getting the Endometriosis Sourcebook by
Mary Lou Ballweg. The university will understand if you need to take a
medical leave from your studies.
At Thu, 21 Jan 1999, Marc wrote:
>
>1 + 1/2 year into my graduate degree I started having problems and my husband
>took me to the emergency room (where I was misdiagnosed and they took out my
>appendix. Naturally it was not infected so 5 months later I had to have a lap (my
>left ovary had to be removed). I explained to my teachers and they were all very
>cooperative and understanding with me (they were all men too I guess I was
>fortunate). I was able to make up the work I missed and finish with the rest of
>my class in December. I did not even check into the disability thing.
>
>Mary
>
>"CHELSEY M. BAKER" wrote:
>
>> April: I was diagnosed w/endo during my 1st year at college--I missed
>> most of my classes for several weeks. I had very understanding profs
>> though, and because I explained my situation up-front, they helped me to
>> complete/catch up on my work. After a lap, the endo didn't come back for
>> 7 years, so I luckily finised my undergraduate degree pain-free. Now the
>> endo is back, and I am in my 3rd year of graduate school. I thought I
>> would be done by now, but I have really had to slow down because of the
>> endo. I think the best thing you can do is to let yourself have the time
>> you need to finish--even if you only take one course each semester. We
>> can do it--it just might take us a little longer. I know it can be
>> very discouraging. I had to drop thesis credits again this semester,
>> so now I don't know when I'll be able to graduate. Be upfront
>> and honest about what your needs are--in my case, the endo is a disability
>> covered by the ADA, and the University is required by law to make some
>> accomodations. Check with the ADA coordinator at your school--they can
>> probably give you some advice. Good luck!
>>
>> --Chelsey
>>
>> On Wed, 20 Jan 1999, April Lewis wrote:
>>
>> > I would love to here from anyone who has gotten through university while
>> > suffering from endo.... I am very discouraged, I am in my final year of my
>> > undergrad degree and I have to stop taking Lupron which has kept me pain
>> > free. In the last 5 years I have not had a period in which I haven't been in
>> > bed for at least 2-3 days, and last year I had been in bed for up to 10
>> > days....I just am discouraged that I am not going to be able ot handle all
>> > the work that is involved in this semester!
>> > April
>> >
>>
--
Renee
![[ endo@obgyn.net ]](../../images/endo_at_obgyn.gif)