On the 10th of July I am challenging myself to run the Asics 10K to raise vital funds for Endometriosis UK!

In July 2021, years after having my concerns dismissed by medical professionals, I was given laparoscopic surgery and  finally diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis. My surgeon was not equipped to handle what she found and so closed me up and advised me that I needed to find a specialist. 

Over the course of the next few months I educated myself, using Endometriosis UK and other resources available to learn about my illness, treatment and recovery. During that time my health rapidly deteriorated, I found myself bed bound weeks at a time and when I wasn't I couldn’t do anything unless I had 2 hot water bottles strapped  to me and had chomped through pain killers like they were my favourite chocolates in a tub of Quality Street.

After a lot of research (and arguments with my private health insurer - but that's a story for another day) I found a highly recommended endometriosis specialist. He listened and gave me the confidence that he could treat me. 

In November 2021, 2 weeks before my surgery I received the results from my MRI, the news was not good. My endometriosis had impacted most of my pelvic organs and I began to prepare for a bowel resections with a stoma bag, removal of part of my bladder & vagina, uncertainty over what parts of my reproductive system would be saved (I was likely to lose both my tubes) and there was a huge question mark over my kidneys. 

Thankfully I had an amazing team of surgeons who after a gruelling initial 6 hour surgery managed to excise all of the endometriosis tissue and give me much more positive outcomes than originally predicted. I consider myself one of the lucky ones, if my diagnosis and surgery had been delayed any further my outcome could have been very different.

Before my diagnosis I had heard of Endometriosis but had the
mis-conception that it was just painful periods. I did not appreciate that in reality if left untreated Endometriosis can have life changing consequences.

What is Endometriosis

Endometriosis is the name given to the condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body. It is a chronic and often debilitating condition that can cause painful periods, painful sex and pelvic pain outside of periods. It may also lead to infertility, fatigue and bowel and bladder problems.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth, that's as many as diabetes yet very few people have even heard of it. 

The impact can be felt for life and there is no cure.

It takes an average of 8 years to get a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK, that's too long!

Your donations will mean that Endometriosis UK can continue to support those affected by Endometriosis through national support groups, information provision and their helpline as well as continue to campaign for change, fairer treatment and eventually a cure.