In February 2012, I had the Essure procedure performed. Almost immediately my health began to take a turn for the worse. With the exception of migraines, I’d always been quite healthy up to that point. The predominant symptoms are as follows and seemingly only continue to increase: worsening and more frequent migraines, severe weight gain and pelvic pain, joint pain and fatigue to the point that I can barely function some days. I used to have a very full and active life – hiking, walking, photography, cooking, baking, being social and, quite literally, traveling the world. Although I sensed that things weren’t quite right in regard to my health, the defining moment was last November when I went to New York City – a city I that LOVE – a city that makes me come ALIVE – a city that keeps me going 16 hours a day each and every time that I go – and on this visit I could barely leave the hotel room. I would leave for a bit and have to return to rest for a few hours before attempting to go out and about again. Now, I never feel well enough to leave my home, my friends and family don’t understand and I can barely muster the energy to go to work four days a week. My life is just a shadow of its former self. I am scheduled to have surgery twelve days from now and am hopeful that I can get my life back and that I will have a much brighter tale to tell in the near future.