In this time of increasing attacks against abortion, birth control, and women's sovereignty over their bodies in general, I have finally secured a small personal victory. I will never have to again fear not having birth control refused to me, or worry about the unavailability of safe and legal abortions if ever in that situation.
I am now beyond their reach, my life will not have to be put at risk against my wishes...
I am a 24 year old with a laundry list of medical problems. Systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, polycystic ovary syndrome, antiphospolipid antibody syndrome, and a host of related ailments. I have been on long-term moderate dose chemotherapy meds since I was 19, after being reduced to the point of being unable to walk due to joint damage and deformation. I have been at the point where I've had to sleep 90% of my day from crippling fatigue. I've had my fiance support me with much kissing and crying waiting for kidney function test results to see if now was the time for that biopsy my doctor wants to put off as long as possible. And through pain-riddled 6am ER visits when autoimmune interstitial cystitis has clogged my internal tubing with jelly-bean sized tissue and blood clots. I've been on more non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs than all my grandparents combined, and many other medications.
I have never particularly wanted children of my own, but I have spent many years working with autistic youngsters, abused children, teens at risk. I look forward to potentially adopting a child in need of a loving, supportive home one day if my health remains stable. But I know that biological children have never been for me. And the fact of the matter is that even if there was a small chance that I could have a healthy child without either ending up dead myself or severely disabled, I'm not sure I'd want to take that risk. Actually, I'm very sure that I don't want that risk.
Several years ago I heard of a new tubal ligation alternative, the Essure procedure. However, I had heard many horror stories of young women attempting to receive permanant birth control, and being told by doctors that they are too young to make such a decision. Because we're not too young to decide we want children, but we're too young if we've thought through it and want to make an equally permanant decision. I had the good fortune yesterday of meeting with a doctor who told me that it was her job to make sure that I had all the information necessary to make a serious decision about my health and reproductive potential, it was not her job to make that decision for me. It would be great if all pharmacists followed that model. And she was extremely supportive about my decision. We signed the 30 day waiting period paperwork yesterday. Because, see, in my state, I can buy a gun and a bottle of vodka today and let the chips fall where they may. But as a woman, I am required to wait 30 days between consultation and surgery. Men are only required to wait 24 hours. Women obviously cannot be trusted to make deliberate, serious choices about their bodies.
Even though I am now safe if things take a turn for the worst in this nation, I will not stop speaking out for other women's rights to CHOOSE. My choice may not be appropriate for everyone, even those in similar situations. But I will always respect and support any woman in making the choice right for her, to have no kids or to have 10 (or more!), to opt for any form of temporary birth control form or to take the permanant leap as I have. Because what a woman decides to do with her life and reproductive potential is exactly that... a choice.