Pep 10/May/2002:19:09:14 Hi, everybody, I will be offline until the end of May and I'm going to have to close the guestbook for that time just in case.. See you when I come back and please take care !! Sincerely, Pep Pep 04/May/2002:22:36:17 Hi Kira, thank you very much for sending your message to my homepage. Congratulations on the birth of your son ! But I'm sorry that you have been suffering for such a long time.. Decision on having hysterectomy is very personal, but please remember that hysterectomy does not cure endo. I will mail you some site addresses that talk more about it and also about alternative approaches. Have you tried dietary changes, supplements, breathing exercises and/or other stuff..? Please take care..! Pep Kira 03/May/2002:12:01:07 I was diagnoised with endo at 16 by lapro...after complaining for 2 years of dibilitating pain. I was tld at that point in time it was so sever i would probably NEVER have children. I am now 26 and was blessed with the birth of a beautiful son 2 months ago. The 10 months i was pregnant were like a miracle..i felt normal for the first time in 10 years..no pain at all -except the morning sickness the whole time. Now 2 months after giving birth i'm painfully reminded this disease still ravages my body...it is becoming increasingly difficult to care for my son from the pain i'm in. I've tried every therapy suggest to no avail..and i had hoped preganancy would help lessen the pain..but it hasn't. My husband and i dreamed of a second child some day..but now my dr suggest the last drastic step of a hystorectomy..or wait in pain for 2 or 3 years. What a dreaded disease. Bless us all who suffer from it. Pep 27/Mar/2002:23:41:46 Hi Cathy ( aka Cuppa ), thank you so much for stopping by and also for leaving such a kind message! Sounds like you will be feeling much better in the very near future. It took me about 3 months or so before I found myself not having to stay in bed with that terrible pain for 3-4 days every month any more and it's been a little more than 1 year that I keep it that way.. Yes, it does take some discipline, but to me, the result is more than worth it! Looking forward to seeing your site develop, too! ( but please don't sacrifice your sleep.. I think rest is very important to help ease endo pain etc) Please take care! Sincerely, Pep Cathy (Cuppa) Cuppa's Space/Women's Health Focus (just started - 25/Mar/2002:11:42:26 Pep, I really love your site. I too believe I have endo, but have not been diagnosed via laporoscopy. I got a bunch of "self- healing/holistic" type books over the last couple of weeks. I have just started for the first time in my LIFE cutting out meat -&- milk from my diet. I'm cutting down on caffeine and sugars too (with the hopes to cut them OUT! :) ) (I have always loved my sugar and chocolate and diet coke...bad!) Thanks so much for sharing your journey - it is giving me hope. I will continue to read your posts and gain the strength to STICK with a more healthy lifestyle!) Thanks, Cathy aka (cuppa) Pep 09/Mar/2002:22:32:09 (Another) new guestbook! I hope this one works.. Thank you for stopping by! Take care.