My Story (Part 1) - Beginning

I think I need to chronicle my "journey" for a few reasons.  One, for myself to maybe get some perspective.  Two, for people in my life who know the basics but never got enough details.  Three, because I know it will lead to a lot of random topics as I go, which are always fun!  So I will post my story in parts... this is the first one :)

In November, 2009, I experienced a very sharp pain in the middle of the right side of my back that wasn't responding to any over the counter pain meds.  I also had a constant urge to urinate.  So I went to the doctor when I got back from the final game of our volleyball season and was diagnosed with a kidney infection.  My doctor gave me Vicodin for the pain and Cipro (a strong antibiotic) for the infection.  Well, I found out quickly that the Vicodin helped relieve that pain and I was allergic to Cipro.  I got bumps on my arm that seemed to be a rash so I had to start the antibiotic cycle again...  (You have to take them for a full 10-14 days and if you miss a dose, or I guess if you switch medications, you get to start over).  So I was out of work with a doctor's note until the infection when away.  At this time I was seeing a primary care physician who I had been going to for a few years but I had never really had any cause to see her about anything serious.  I also was covered insurance-wise through my work with insurance that had always covered anything I needed, but I would soon learn the Beauty that is Personal Choice.  Seriously, I know most companies don't pay for it and I had never had reason to feel I should pay for it, but that would be great insurance to have in my situation.

Causes

So... what is endometriosis?  Endometriosis is a gynecological condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity.  I think more than that will best be answered as I go along, but you can get some basic information from Wikipedia here if you would like. I noticed a couple of things in that Wiki article that my surgeon contradicted but it's a basic overview. 

Along the way, many people I know have asked "how I got" endometriosis.  Essentially, that question is asking for the underlying cause.  Unfortunately, there is no good answer other than being the unlucky one or perhaps a "perfect storm" of circumstances.  Endometriosis is only 6% genetic, so that likely lets my parents off the hook.  It is also possibly has an auto-immune component but I haven't learned enough about that to discuss it.  It is on my list to ask my doctor about at my next visit.