Individuals with endometriosis need your help now to adapt endometriosis education to online learning, fund cutting-edge research on endometriosis treatment and diagnosis, advocate for endometriosis education on the state and national level, and promote disease recognition in our broader communities.

My Story...

It seems a bit complicated to say when I started to have endo because I have been dismissed by doctors most of my life. I’ve always had painful periods, back pain and a variety of other symptoms, however, it wasn’t until I was married and we wanted to start a family when things started to go downhill. In about a 2 year span of time, my symptoms grew worse and my day to day pain was getting to be unmanageable. Most days were spent in bed and my quality of life was not what it once was.

After countless visits to the doctor and many gynos dismissing my symptoms as a 'bad period', I felt at a loss. It was my fertility doctor who took the time to listen to my symptoms and put my needs first. I was able to be referred to a Gynecology & Reproductive Surgeon who booked my for my first laparoscopy within two month of my initial consult.

I had my surgery on Feb 11, 2020. What was supposed to be a 3 hour surgery, turned into a 5.5 hour surgery due to the amount of endo, cysts, fibroids and polyps that were found. Seeing the pictures of my insides was the most eye opening to see what had been wreaking havoc on me all this time. (you can see pics if you click on gallery) I was officially diagnosed with stage 4 endo.

From what I can recall (they told me this when I was foggy af), they removed a nodule from my colon, a ton of endo/fibroids from around my pelvis, outside of uterus & ovaries and they told my hubs some of the them were the size of golf/tennis balls!! No wonder I was in so much pain. 

My mind still cannot comprehend how so many doctors dismissed me over the years that it got to the point of stage 4 before I was believed. This is not OK and this is why I have become such an advocate. There is not enough education and there are not enough specialist. 1 in 10 women are affected by this invisible disease, yet it takes upward 6-10 years for a proper diagnosis. It does not discriminate. It affects all ages and races across the world. Although it is more commonly found in women, it can affect men too!

I am helping raise awareness so women have better access to care and are not being gas lighted when they expressing their concerns & symptoms. Endo is a total body disease that is so much more than a ‘bad period’. Our pain is real and should be heard.