Mum-of-one who dreamt of having two kids has hysterectomy at 34 to ease “excruciating” symptoms of endometriosis
A mum-of-one who dreamt of having two children made the heartbreaking decision to have a hysterectomy at 34 to ease the “excruciating” symptoms of endometriosis.
Becki Dobbin had her womb, pelvic wall and cervix removed last week after her life was “torn apart” by endometriosis.
The social worker always imagined having a sibling for daughter Olivia, eight.
But after living in “excruciating pain” since she first started experiencing symptoms at 10, she chose to have the surgery that would mean she wouldn’t be able to get pregnant.
Although the pain has subsided since the operation, the 34-year-old is terrified that the endometriosis could grow back.
“I had a massive haemorrhage at work and the paramedics said the blood clots were the size of lungs,” Becki, from Red Lodge, near Ipswich, Suffolk, told Need to Know.
“I felt like I was giving birth. It wasn’t normal.
“In four years I’ve been in hospital 12 times.
“I had injuries from falling over because I was in so much pain.
“It feels like I’m being electrocuted
“We had to weigh it up. If I didn’t have the hysterectomy, I would have to give up my career and I wouldn’t be able to do things I love with Olivia.
“When I found out I was getting the hysterectomy, I cried.
“I’m only 34 and I always wanted two children.
“For a woman to have to make that decision is heartbreaking and it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do.
“Since having the operation, I feel overwhelmed. I’m in a bubble at the minute.
“I don’t have the pain and that’s amazing and I can’t believe it but I’m terrified it will come back and I’ll only have so long.
“It won’t cure me but it eases a lot of pain.”
According to the NHS website, endometriosis is where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body.
Becki was diagnosed at 21 when she collapsed while having a shower but says she’d never even heard of the condition.
She had surgery where doctors shaved the endometriosis from her bladder and bowel.
The operation helped but she had another flare up when her Olivia was born via c-section.
She was left in so much pain that she was unable to walk unaided and has a carer for 15 hours a week to help her wash and dress.
Becki said: “I had a persistent pain in my lower back. It wouldn’t go away and I started having falls.
“I had no choice but to have a care and support system put in place so I get 15 hours of care a week and I have a fall alarm.
“That was difficult for me to accept.
“I need help washing and dressing because I have constant fatigue.
“It’s so debilitating but being in pain every day was normal.
“It really affected my mental health. There were some days I thought that Olivia would be better off without me.
“I was in constant pain and there was nothing anyone could do to change that.”
Becki first started experiencing symptoms when she got her first period at 10.
At 17, medics assumed Becki was suffering with appendicitis and she had her appendix removed.
She said: “I got constant, sharp pains around my period but as a kid you just brush it off.
“When I was diagnosed, I thought ‘what the hell is it?’ I’d never heard of it.”
Becki is speaking out to raise awareness of the condition.
She added: “I’d always been told it’s all in my head and to get on with it.
“I’m petrified Olivia could get it and how much we’ll have to fight for her.
“I’ve had to fight for years.
“It’s awful when you constantly need hospital treatment in your 20s and 30s.
“In all the time I’ve had it, we haven’t come any further forward.
“I don’t know how it’s not classed as a disability because it’s so disabling.”
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