For the women in pain, the people who love them, and the healthcare professionals trying to help them. Doc: "You can't continue to take opiates for your periods." Me: "I can't find anyone to give me a hysterectomy." Doc: "I know a guy." Me: "Go on..." Doc: "My sister just got one in NYC, but you'll need cash up front. Will that be a problem?" Me: "I can get the money." The urgent care doc left the exam room to call her sister and came back with a pen-scrawled name on a folded piece of paper. I promised her I'd check it out. After years of trying every well-meaning and useless way of treating endometriosis (the most common disease you've never heard of), I was hanging by a thread at the constipated end of my pain rope. I had come to the urgent care packed with poo and resignation. I left with a bowel movement on the horizon and a slip of hope in my hand. Patient: Woman in pain, 46-years-old, married, dog owner, loves children, childless-by-choice (mostly), college professor. Diagnosis: Endometriosis. Treatment Plan: Pay $15,000 for private hysterectomy at beginning of semester-long sabbatical from teaching. Expected Outcome of Treatment Plan: End of pain. Actual Outcome:Um...well...yes, eventually , but...it's complicated.