Testimonial from MRKH Patient

MRKH Post-Surgery Testimonial from Young Atlanta Woman

(After reading this testimonial, you may wish to view Dr. Lyons' explanation of this problem in the video located at the bottom of this page. - webmaster- )

Well my story begins much like many others. I had not started my period by the time I was 16. I was the last person in my circle of friends so my mom decided that I should go see a gynecologist. I was terrified. The examination was incredibly painful but that didn't stop the doctor from examining. He thought it was scar tissue. He then sent me to have an ultrasound to try to see what the problem was. The ultrasound was not enough to see anything so he then ordered an MRI. Well, apparently it is difficult to read those because I had to have 4 other MRI's in a matter of 4 days. At 16 this was terrifying because I had no idea what was wrong with me.

After those stressful tests they determined that I had an underdeveloped uterus. That was the extent of their findings because clearly he had never heard of MRKH. The doctor then proceeded to tell me that it was a birth defect and there was nothing to be done. He then told me I would never be able to have kids. This was the most painful news because I love kids very much and had always dreamed of being pregnant. This is when my depression started. I felt defective and abnormal. I had no one to relate to or to really talk to so my emotions consumed me. I don't really remember the 6 months that followed that day. No one knew how to handle my state because I usually had bubbly personality. I confided my stress with one of my beloved teachers and he told me that he knew I would be a great mother no matter how I obtained a child. He told me that I could save a child from a life of destitution and give them a loving home. This is when I accepted the idea of adoption and felt that God had called me to do that. That is when my depression began to be alleviated.

The next 5 years that followed the first diagnosis were alright but I had extreme self confidence issues that accompanied my inability to have children. I thought that no man would ever be able to love me because I could not give him a biological child. I still had no idea that I had MRKH or that others had it as well. I went to another doctor who tried to get me to do the year long dilation process but failed to give me proper instruction on how to do so. I was 17 at the time and by then I was emotionally scarred. I tried to do the process but it was humiliating. I eventually gave up.

Last year, around my 21st birthday, my mom told me that she had found a prestigious surgeon who worked in Atlanta. His name is Dr. Lyons. We scheduled an appointment but I had little hope that I would get answers or a solution. Dr. Lyons was very straightforward with his information and after 6 years of wondering what was wrong with me I finally had answers. He told me I had MRKH syndrome and it affected my uterus as well as my vaginal canal. He was so gentle with the first examination which was not something I was used to. After that meeting we scheduled the date for my surgery to extend the canal. I just had that surgery about 10 days ago and I m doing fantastic. The surgery went smoothly and I now have some normalcy in my life. For the most part I am just like every other 22 year old girl. I still cannot have children but I know that adoption is always an option. Dr. Lyons helped restore me physically as well as emotionally. He will always hold a special place in my heart because he did what no one else could.

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This page last updated 08/05/2011