A Lady's Lot
It is NOT a woman's lot in life to live with debilitating periods!
Endometriosis
My life with Endometriosis began on August 2, 2000. I was laying in bed and felt some odd cramping, I went to the emergency room and was left in pain in the waiting room for hours because who cares about period problems, after all they believe it is our lot to live like this. I walked out and went to see my doctor the next morning. After an IV and ultrasound, a ruptured ovarian cyst was found. From there, it took over 10 years for me to be diagnosed with Endometriosis.
Endometriosis affects 176 million women worldwide yet there is still so much mystery surrounding the disease. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis 18 years ago and my condition is still very difficult to manage. From the absolutely horrific periods, which lead to a Hysterectomy to the crippling pain, Endometriosis has definitely changed my life. I am always amazed when doctors remind women like me that there is still no cure for Endometriosis and the cause continues to be unknown, how is that possible in 2018? On top of the pain, infertility, and all the complications of Endo, we have to constantly defend ourselves and our condition. Because Endo is an invisible illness and we look just like the next person, we are judged as attention seekers. Even though all the data says that Endometriosis can cause excuriating pain, when we seek help to control the pain, we are labeled as pill seekers and drug addicts. It is so sad that we have lost so many Endo Sisters to suicide because this life just got to heavy to endure. No woman, in 2018 should die due to Endometriosis, whether it be by the disease itself or suicide. We are holding doctors and medical professionals accountable and demanding to be taken seriously and treated properly.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS)
I started my period when I was 11 years old. I woke up one morning, not realizing how something so natural would change my life in the most profound ways. From the first day of my cycle until I was wheeled into OR to have a hysterectomy, my menses has been one of my biggest physical obstacles. For years, my period was irregular and unpredictable. It wasn't until I was 25yrs old that I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. If only my mom would've known how to advocate for me, when doctor after doctor told us, " this is just the way her body is."
My life with Endometriosis began on August 2, 2000. I was laying in bed and felt some odd cramping, I went to the emergency room and was left in pain in the waiting room for hours because who cares about period problems, after all they believe it is our lot to live like this. I walked out and went to see my doctor the next morning. After an IV and ultrasound, a ruptured ovarian cyst was found. From there, it took over 10 years for me to be diagnosed with Endometriosis.
Endometriosis affects 176 million women worldwide yet there is still so much mystery surrounding the disease. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis 18 years ago and my condition is still very difficult to manage. From the absolutely horrific periods, which lead to a Hysterectomy to the crippling pain, Endometriosis has definitely changed my life. I am always amazed when doctors remind women like me that there is still no cure for Endometriosis and the cause continues to be unknown, how is that possible in 2018? On top of the pain, infertility, and all the complications of Endo, we have to constantly defend ourselves and our condition. Because Endo is an invisible illness and we look just like the next person, we are judged as attention seekers. Even though all the data says that Endometriosis can cause excuriating pain, when we seek help to control the pain, we are labeled as pill seekers and drug addicts. It is so sad that we have lost so many Endo Sisters to suicide because this life just got to heavy to endure. No woman, in 2018 should die due to Endometriosis, whether it be by the disease itself or suicide. We are holding doctors and medical professionals accountable and demanding to be taken seriously and treated properly.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS)
I started my period when I was 11 years old. I woke up one morning, not realizing how something so natural would change my life in the most profound ways. From the first day of my cycle until I was wheeled into OR to have a hysterectomy, my menses has been one of my biggest physical obstacles. For years, my period was irregular and unpredictable. It wasn't until I was 25yrs old that I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. If only my mom would've known how to advocate for me, when doctor after doctor told us, " this is just the way her body is."
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS) is a hormonal disorder of the Endocrine System in women. Women with PCOS suffer with internal issues like ovarian cysts, infertility, irregular periods, much more. Unlike diseases such as, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Menorrhagia, etc; PCOS does have a few "tells."
Image really is EV...ER...Y....THING, to women. We take pride in how we look and how we present ourselves to the world. Our looks play a role in our careers, relationships, and self esteem. It has been proven that when we look good, we feel good and when we feel good we are more productive. If how we look was not important to us, cosmetic companies, hair distributors, and the fashion industry would collapse. With PCOS protecting and preserving our looks becomes a much more urgent task. Some of the physically visible symptoms of PCOS are: Weight gain, Hirsutism(excessive hair on face and body), thinning hair, and dark patches on skin. Unfortunately, I am no stranger to these PCOS related issues. I understand the blow that a woman's femininity takes when she has hair growing in places that are not normal for women, I know the embarrassment of having dark spots appearing on your face and neck and the painstaking effort put into hiding them. I know the utter humiliation and despair that comes when your hair begins to thin, break off, and stop growing. I completely understand the dip that a woman's self esteem takes when she has to deal with the effects of PCOS.
For many years, I hid my shame, I cried at night, and kept my fears to myself; I am excellent at hiding. I didn't tell anyone how horrible I felt. Turtle necks and scarves became my best friends. Because I didn't tell anyone how I felt, I suffered in sadness, depression, and isolation; I put myself in prison. One day, I don't know how nor when, I remembered EVERYTHING that my grandma taught me about loving myself and loving who I am. I found my self-esteem again and I began to stand up. I had to accept that I had this illness and that because of it, I had some flaws. I reminded myself that these flaws don't define me, they are simply an artistic part of my story. These flaws give color, visibility, and meaning to my struggle. While I still have my days of frustration with the skin and hair issues, those days don't hold me hostage anymore, because I firmly believe that I am all that and so much more. Honey, I am that lady! This is the message that I want to share with women who are living with PCOS
Adenomyosis
Endometriosis has an evil sister and her name is Adenomyosis. Known as Endometriosis of the Uterus, Adenomyosis is often found in women who have Endometriosis. The difference between Endo and Adeno is location. Endometriosis can travel an implant anywhere in a woman's pelvic area or body but Adenomyosis stays in the uterus and attachs to the uterine wall. It is because of Adenomyosis that my uterus was an enlarged wasteland and had to be removed.
Infertility
My experience with infertility began, I believe before I was born; that is the only logic I can make of this maze of reproductive organs and challenge that came packaged inside of me. While the doctors don't have a definitive diagnosis nor explanation for my infertility, blame has been assigned to PCOS since it was discovered first. I remember being told at the ripe age of 19 that if I wanted to have a baby I should start trying immediately. When conception didn't happen, I was then told that my fertility window probably closed in my early teens, if I had a window at all. Infertility has been the hardest pill for me to swallow. To not be able to something that should just happen by design is devastating. I could list all the treatments and medications that I have taken to manipulate and cause conception. I could tell you about the destroyed relationships and the tear filled nights. However, I would rather tell you about my children. Yes, you heard right, not child but children! If infertility taught me that there is always another way. There will be times when life will throw us a curve that we can't catch but know that there is always another way to get back in the game. In my blog and on my YouTube channel I share my story with you and how I became not just a mom but a grandma to!
Endometriosis has an evil sister and her name is Adenomyosis. Known as Endometriosis of the Uterus, Adenomyosis is often found in women who have Endometriosis. The difference between Endo and Adeno is location. Endometriosis can travel an implant anywhere in a woman's pelvic area or body but Adenomyosis stays in the uterus and attachs to the uterine wall. It is because of Adenomyosis that my uterus was an enlarged wasteland and had to be removed.
Infertility
My experience with infertility began, I believe before I was born; that is the only logic I can make of this maze of reproductive organs and challenge that came packaged inside of me. While the doctors don't have a definitive diagnosis nor explanation for my infertility, blame has been assigned to PCOS since it was discovered first. I remember being told at the ripe age of 19 that if I wanted to have a baby I should start trying immediately. When conception didn't happen, I was then told that my fertility window probably closed in my early teens, if I had a window at all. Infertility has been the hardest pill for me to swallow. To not be able to something that should just happen by design is devastating. I could list all the treatments and medications that I have taken to manipulate and cause conception. I could tell you about the destroyed relationships and the tear filled nights. However, I would rather tell you about my children. Yes, you heard right, not child but children! If infertility taught me that there is always another way. There will be times when life will throw us a curve that we can't catch but know that there is always another way to get back in the game. In my blog and on my YouTube channel I share my story with you and how I became not just a mom but a grandma to!
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