Felicia Maiello & Merve Aypak met through sharing their stories on social media with endometriosis. Their individual stories may not be identical but their journeys are still very similar. They support each other through their endo journeys and also with life outside of endo. Their friendship has become one that is beautiful and extremely unique as they have built this strong bond without ever having met in person yet. They are now coming together with the same goal- to raise money and awareness for Endometriosis. 

Felicia was diagnosed in March of 2020 at the age of 33 through laparoscopic surgery. She struggled with violently painful periods, digestive issues, bladder issues and migraines for 18 years. 2 years prior to being diagnosed, her symptoms worsened and new symptoms appeared outside of her period. Suddenly she was experiencing daily debilitating chronic pain- pelvic pain that felt like there was barbed wire across the area with someone playing tug of war, lower back pain, leg and hip pain and much more. She had endured ruptured cysts and did not even know because it was so similar to the horrible pain she was in often. All of this was affecting her quality of life greatly. She began to bounce from doctor to doctor telling each one she thought she had endometriosis only to be dismissed multiple times and even gaslit at times.  One doctor told her that her anxiety was causing this said pain and the scary part was she actually believed that for a period of time. She shares this part of her journey because it is so COMMON among other women and a huge reason to raise awareness. In surgery, they found endometriosis on her bladder, both her ovaries and deeper in her uterus and colon. This day was the most bittersweet day of her life. She finally had answers and validation that the pain she was in for 18 years was real but she also knew she would have this disease for the rest of her life.  Since being diagnosed with endo, she has also been diagnosed with other conditions that she believes are likely due to her delay in diagnosis. She has become active in raising awareness and she will never stop fighting to get better or for better care for others. 

Merve's journey with endometriosis started when she was 14. She suffered from very painful and heavy periods that were always accompanied with digestive issues, heavy headaches, bladder issues and extreme bloating. As many other young women, after countless ER admissions and Obgyn visits she was told this was "normal" and sent home. With time, her symptoms got worse and started becoming chronic even outside of her period. In 2020 she almost collapsed in a Pilates class followed by a week of debilitating pain, extreme bloating and digestive issues that nailed her to her bed. Her search started when she heard the word "Endometriosis" for the first time in her life. She quickly realized she had to advocate for herself and avoid unnecessary medical treatments and multiple surgeries. After seeing 4 different doctors, she decided to have a laparoscopic excision surgery that validated she had Stage IV Endometriosis which covered her bladder, appendix, bowels and ureter with a 7.5 cm cyst on her left ovary. Since surgery, she has been active in raising awareness on the disease to help women with early diagnosis and to stop the spread of wrong information so that no other women have to suffer for 20 years.

What both Felicia & Merve want the world to know is that Endometriosis is not just a "bad period". It is truly a whole body disease. Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory and often painful condition where tissue SIMILAR to the tissue that normally grows inside of the uterus- the endometrium- grows outside of the uterus. 

Getting pregnant is NOT a cure for endo. Not only is it untrue, but it is extremely misleading as infertility is a huge portion of having endometriosis. 

Hysterectomy is NOT a cure for Endo. Because the tissue grows outside of the uterus- removing the uterus does not stop the growth of the endometriosis. It has now been found on every single organ in the body. Menopause is NOT a cure for endo. Endometriosis produces its own estrogen and can still grow a even after your periods stop.  

Endometriosis has NO cure. However,  there are treatments that can help better the patient’s quality of life. Many women go through unnecessary medication or procedures that in the end makes their condition worse and some of these have lifelong effects.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women worldwide. The statistics are likely much higher as it takes on average 8-10 years to be diagnosed. 200 million women worldwide suffer from endometriosis and it is said that there are only 200 skilled excision specialists. That is 1 specialist per 1 million of us.

The stage of your Endometriosis has nothing to do with how much pain you experience or how debilitating your symptoms are. 

 There is not enough funds or research currently for endometriosis. The delay in diagnosis and the improper care is why it is crucial to raise funds and have our voices be heard. We must continue to advocate for ourselves to get better care and to help the next generation of women.  

To raise awareness we will be doing a virtual walk on Saturday, March 27th, 2021. Because of Covid not everyone can get together to do the walk as we would have hoped so we ask that anyone who wants to participate does it from their own neighborhood or wherever they choose with whoever they are comfortable walking with. 

We have come up with an idea to ask everyone to donate $5 per mile they walk and to post a picture with the hashtag #IGot5onit. Please also hashtag #endometriosisawareness and whatever else you choose.  We ask that everyone try to wear something yellow as that is the color for Endometriosis. If you choose to skip the walk and just donate, that is great! If you choose to not donate and just do the walk, that is also great! The main goal is to raise awareness.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for supporting us in any capacity. Please know that by doing this you will be making a difference and changing the lives of so many women struggling with endometriosis. 

Love & Thanks!

 Felicia & Merve