A Cinderella Story
How Amanda Reclaimed Academic Success by Prioritizing Personal Health

15 November 2018 – Patient Stories

“All the problems I was experiencing took place at school. No one understood why I couldn’t complete my work — it was because I was in chronic pain.”

Endometriosis Patient

Amanda Wade

Amanda Wade, a 20-year-old Delaware native, pictured capturing the essence of the fall season.

Once Upon A Time, There Was A Young Girl Who Was Fascinated By Science

As a child, Amanda possessed a passion for learning new things. With nursing always at the forefront of her present ushering her into the future, science was her main focus. She consistently asked the question “Why” in an effort to solve medical puzzles and perplexities, often intriguing her family and friends. Once Amanda reached her 11th birthday, her menstrual cycle began, causing intense pain that would last for a duration of 20 days out of every month by the time she turned 12.

“I was starting to have cramps and since I was so young when I first got my period, I had no idea that it wasn’t normal because the doctors were telling me that it was normal. I was terrified because when you’re in the middle school, you’re just trying to figure out where to get pads and tampons [because of excessive bleeding].

Amanda began missing numerous days within the school year due to the amount of pain and bleeding that she was experiencing, which resulted in her mother hiring a home tutor to assist her in catching up to her friends. She attempted to convey her situation to her teachers and the school nurses, because having to excuse herself to use the restroom every 2 hours and focus through pain was gravely impacting her grades. This weighed heavily on her heart, especially while she was in middle school and entering high school — the future that Amanda had pictured for herself since she was little, began to fade from reality as she grew.

“It was getting really bad to the point where my mom said, ‘I don’t even know if you’re going to be able to go to college.’ I was just in so much pain all the time. I wasn’t really able to have a functioning life.”

Endometriosis Was Like Having An Evil Stepsister

As Amanda searches her memory, she pinpoints the moment when she realized that her life was not reflecting normalcy. Preparing to attend her 8th grade formal, this young girl began to notice the extent of her deterioration. She was in so much pain and discomfort, that she couldn’t experience the traditional “mother and daughter” shopping, pampering, and princess-like transformation for the dance.

“I was in so much pain to the point where I couldn’t go and I said, ‘Mom, I want to stay home — I can’t go today.’ My mom was so sad that she said, ‘What do you mean you can’t go?’ I said, ‘I’m in so much pain. I can’t go today — maybe next weekend.’ So, finally in 8th grade, I started to realize it was a real problem and it wasn’t something that was normal, so that’s when my mom and I started looking for answers.”

By 16, this high school sophomore had already seen 7 gynecologists, among other specialists, because simply standing upright was unachievable. It was incredibly frustrating for her to create “care packages” for herself to travel with containing emergency, sanitary napkins, ibuprofen, and heating pads that would burn her skin, in addition to telling her tale repeatedly to physicians who routinely stated, “Endometriosis isn’t even a real disease.” Amanda began to lose hope that someone could intervene, and magically turn the tables on her life circumstances.

“As far as I knew, none of my friends had this problem. They were able to go to dance class, and they were able to do all their normal activities. I was living at home and was stuck in my room all day. So, I started to become very sad because my friends were doing things without me. I felt like I couldn’t do the same activities, because if I did, I would be in constant pain — all I wanted to do was cry.”

After So Many Years, Help Finally Arrived

Amanda learned about Dr. McGuirk and RAD’s Endometriosis & Pelvic Pain Center from her employer and family friends in Pennsylvania. After battling infertility problems of their own, they encouraged Amanda to see someone who not only specialized in this disease but also in the preservation of fertility for her future.

I was kind of weary because I had been to so many doctors. I was like, ‘She is just going to tell me what everyone else is telling me, and it’s not going to go anywhere.’ I was at the point where I was just ready to give up and accept my fate – I was not going to find anybody to help me. By the time I found Dr. McGuirk, I was a senior in high school, and going to school half days because I couldn’t be miserable in school the whole day. I thought, ‘Ok. I’ll go and see this doctor and if she’s not fantastic, I give up.

Dr. McGuirk greeted Amanda with a comforting hug and encouraging word, which led her to tears. All of the doubt, fear, and uncertainty melted away and reassured Amanda that she was finally in the right place at the right time. At the initial meeting, Dr. McGuirk gathered the information from this young woman’s testimony, in order to compose a treatment plan and pathway forward. This plan required this young woman to endure hormonal suppression prior to laparoscopic surgery. After following through with the suppression treatments and dietary adjustments, it was time for Amanda’s life-changing operation. While she was terrified of not only the procedure itself but the radical relief, she was ready to take her life back.

“Once I recovered [from the surgery], I had never felt so good in my entire life. It was crazy I was like, ‘Mom, I can go for a jog!’ I definitely feel like when I was finishing out my senior year, I had more energy. I was able to do things after school. I was able to go to the mall with my friends. I cannot picture my life without having the surgery. Because of it, I was able to go to Europe.”

Living A Fairytale

Since arriving on the other side of pain in addition to her teenage years, Amanda is focused on catching up on life’s positive moments, and making her childhood dream of becoming a nurse a reality by attending nursing school. She is determined to utilize her energetic personality and experience as a patient, to go the extra mile and ensure that her patients know they are heard, loved, and advocated for.

“I love who I am and I want to help people. Every time I’m in the hospital, I take care of people like I would want to be taken care of because people did not take care of me the way that I wanted to be taken care of. I’ll go into the room, rub the patient’s back, and spend that extra time with them to let them know that they are not alone — there is someone that cares for them. They are important.”

Amanda believes that it is crucial as an endometriosis patient, to never give up because you are not alone. Finding Dr. McGuirk was incredibly impactful for Amanda. Not only did Dr. McGuirk restore her youthful body to her, but she restored the confidence in her sound mind — she was not crazy.

“Believe in your symptoms, believe in your suffering, and know that you are not crazy. There are people that are out there willing to help you. Keep trying until you figure out what works for you. Believe in your body — you are stronger than you think.”

The future is beautifully bright for Amanda, and “The End” is nowhere in sight.

At her 2016 graduation from Brandywine High School, Amanda wore her Academic Achievement medal recognizing exemplary dedication to her studies, in addition to her National Honor Society cords.

Amanda spent a brisk Easter Sunday in Paris, France under the Eiffel Tower, after riding a carousel and eating a Lemon Crepe with hot chocolate!

December 2019 Update:

Amanda will graduate from Nursing School in March and she continues to feel great!

Keaghan R.

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"I have had pain for so long, finally finding Dr. McGuirk was honestly one of the best things to ever happen to me. She is so so smart and so kind. I knew I was in the right hands the second I met her. I actually get emotional thinking about it! She was the first doctor to take me seriously. She took away my pain and has given me better chances of becoming a mom. I can’t recommend this clinic enough, they truly care so much about their patients!"

Amanda F.

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"After a friend recommended, I saw Dr. McGuirk in April of 2019. On my first visit after explaining my symptoms I have had for over 20 years, Dr. McGuirk and I worked on a plan, she explained everything, offered reassurance that I was not crazy and she could help me. I had surgery in September and have enjoyed freedom from many unwanted symptoms  since. I am so thankful for Dr. McGuirk and her team, especially Mari who was also a huge support for me throughout it all. Thank you all!"

Tara H.

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"After becoming a patient, Dr. McGuirk performed a successful endo excision surgery and immediately started a treatment plan that restored my quality of life. I haven't felt this good in over 20 years! She really cares and is so passionate in helping those battling endo. She truly takes the time to explain everything to you and has such a great bedside manner. I've seen the pain in her eyes when she sees us suffering because she truly cares and wants to help us all. I feel amazing now and can actually enjoy life."

Luanne S.

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"Dr. McGuirk has been phenomenal. My daughter is 15 and underwent four surgeries and many other failed treatments for endometriosis within 2 years. As soon as my daughter was seen, Dr. McGuirk had a treatment plan and knew exactly what needed to be done. My daughter has been pain free since May and is living a teenage life again. Dr. McGuirk and her staff truly care about her patients and spend as much time as needed with you to explain and answer any questions. I can't thank Dr. McGuirk enough for giving my daughter back her quality of life."

Shayna L.

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"I don’t think I can express how much Dr. McGuirk changed my life. Before meeting Dr. McGurik, I had been living in chronic pain from endometriosis and after 4 surgeries nothing changed. My last doctor literally just gave me pain meds and sent me on my way. Not with McGuirk! Every appointment she takes time to thoroughly listen and understand what is going on. Through diet, surgery, and suppression I am now completely pain-free. I woke up from my surgery feeling completely different. She knows chronic pelvic pain and she is definitely someone you can trust."

Alyssa P.

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"I suffered with my Endometriosis for many, many years - I am SO thankful for Dr. McGuirk and the wonderful staff at the Endometriosis & Pelvic Pain Center! She performed my laparoscopic excision surgery back in Nov. 2015, and that marks the day I got my life back! Dr. McGuirk and her staff are always quick to respond whenever I have any questions or concerns, and they're so professional and kind - it's obvious that they love what they do! I highly recommend them - they changed my life!"

Holly R.

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"I have been a patient of Dr. McGuirk's since 2011. It's frustrating going from doctor to doctor to figure out what's wrong. I was fortunate to find Dr. McGuirk and she understood the constant pain I was going through. I was diagnosed with endometriosis. She has helped me to be come pain free and be able to get back to my life."

Sylvie C.

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"Dr. McGuirk is an amazing doctor and I am so grateful that I found her to help me fight my battle with endometriosis. I have been to many doctors over the course of my treatment and I can confidently say that Dr. McGuirk is the one who gave me my life back!

Dr. McGuirk is a rare breed of doctor--capable of sitting with you even while you cry your eyes out discussing the struggles of life with endometriosis; capable of empathizing with you while rejecting the notion that a pain level of 4 is ‘not that bad’; capable of making you feel like she has all the time in the world to sit with you while you process; capable of delivering on her promise to help.

Dr. McGuirk saved my life and for this I am eternally grateful!"

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