National Endometriosis Awareness Month is upon us once again! If you are anything like me, you may wonder, what on earth does it mean and how can I be a part of it? Granted it is not like October where every venue you enter is flooded with pink and where the general public has an understanding of what the pink ribbon stands for, but that does not mean we cannot make a difference! Here are some easy ways to get involved in Endo Awareness Month this March:
- Sport a yellow shirt on Yellow Shirt Day which takes place on March 1st and ask your friends and loved ones to do the same! What if we were able to flood the month of March with yellow the way October is saturated in pink? Would Congress then take notice and raise funding so that we can find a cure?
- Sport an Endometriosis Awareness Shirt as often as possible the rest of the month (and year)! Fight Like a Girl has an amazing selection of kickin’ shirts for endo warriors like you and me. I don’t know if there is a stigma attached to being vocal about endometriosis since it relates to our “lady parts” but if we can proudly sports shirts (and bumper stickers) that read “Save the Ta-tas” then surely we can proudly show our desire to overcome endo (we can skip the “save the ute” t-shirt though…lol).
- Hand out yellow ribbons. This is something that I do every year because it is so easy to do and can make a big difference. For the month of March, I keep a basket of yellow ribbons on my desk with a small framed poster that gives stats regarding endometriosis. As co-workers and others stop by my desk, I can pass out the ribbons and let them know about awareness month.
- Add a blurb about Endo Awareness Month to your email signature. This is another simple yet effective way to spread the word! It may not seem like much but believe me, it makes a difference!
- Take social media by storm! Light up facebook, twitter, and your blog about endometriosis. If you haven’t noticed, there are tons of Facebook groups already created to spread the word about Endometriosis Awareness Month so join on in! Tweet out stats about endometriosis and how people can get involved to raise awareness. Blog about your journey with endometriosis and your desire to see that a cure is found in your lifetime. It is time that we unite our voices together and make a powerful warrior cry that we will not be defeated!
Together we can make National Endometriosis Awareness Month 2011 one to remember! What are ways you plan on getting involved this month?
<hugs and painfree wishes>
Jamee
This article is intended to convey general educational information and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
Hello,
My name is Andrea and I was diagnosed with Endometriosis at age 19. I had a daughter when I was 16 with the man who is now my husband of 3 years. When I found out I was pregnant I heard a lot of horrible comments and my family wasn’t to excited for me. Now I am unable to have children and I feel as if my little girl came so early because in the future I was not going to be able to have her. Until I was diagnosed I had no idea what Endometriosis was or how it effected so many woman. I want to do everything I can to raise awareness. Please let me know of anything I can do to help!
Thanks so much,
Andrea
I was diagnosed with Endometriosis when I was around 12 years old. When I was 19, the pain got too sever so I had surgery. I now just turned 21 and they think it is fully back. I am back on Lupron to help control it. I hope that one day we can find a cure for this and save women! This is something that has defiantly impacted my life and my support is out there for other women like me!
I was diagnosed at 14 with the endemetriosis & 16 with stage 4 cervical cancer. I do have 2 kids,god bless but were hard pregnancies. I have suffered alone most can’t c it so don’t believe anything is wrong but most don’t know that endemetriosis is one of the most painful diseases to have. Not to mention life altering. I have had every treatment from surgery to Lupron,but no medical ins.& I can’t get any. My husband is our only income & my health takes its toll. With all the medications my teeth have really taken a hit & its real embarrassing but not a lot I can do when u can’t afford it & get No help. I just hope my kids don’t lose their mother over money.
I was diagnosed with endometriosis last August at 26. I had endoscopic surgery to remove two large cysts one on each ovary. They suspected endometriosis was the cause after I got a 2nd opinion and switched OBGYNs. They also had to remove my right ovary.
In Oct 2010 I was hospitalized after going to the ER with severe abdominal pain. They completely misdiagnosed me with a tubo-ovarian abcess. I went almost a year with bad pelvic pain and no treatment. I also lost my right ovary.
After surgery in August to remove the cysts I went through 5 months of lupron treatment. I just had my fifth shot in the beginning of January and I will not be continuing. I am also still in pain. In the beginning I thought lupron was not so bad, but it’s tolls creep up on you. I couldn’t sleep at night I was exhausted, emotional and felt like I was losing my mind. I strongly caution anyone who considers using lupron treatment. Even the promise of a what less than 50% chance of pain relief for five years if you’re seriously lucky.
I also didn’t fully realize how unpleasant I was until recently to everyone around me. Estrogen patches help all that but as soon as I start using them my pain gets worse. I just don’t think it is worth the toll it takes on the relationships in your life and even your work life. I was always apologizing to my friends for being unreliable cancelling on them. My best of friends have been fairly understanding at least. This has definitely effected some of my relationships with friends and family, even at work. I felt pretty crappy physically and emotionally as well.
It also made me extremely forgetful. I admit I have always been absent-minded, but it got much worse. It’s probably partially from fatigue and lack of rest, but I think the lupron also has some effect on that.
People are not told that this shot also effects your brain. There are estrogen receptors in your brain so how can it not effect your brain as well. So it may help your reproductive system in the short term, but it’s going to effect the rest of your body as well. Who knows what long lasting effects that may have.
Women haven’t been using this shot long enough to know. At least it’s not documented or studied much from what I can find what long term effects the shot does have. I just don’t think it is worth the possible pain relief with all the unknown risks and effects this drug has. Especially since
it’s more likely that you won’t have pain relief. I only did while on the shot without any estrogen patches for add back therapy. So my pelvic pain was lessened at the great cost of my health, rest and emotional health.
We are the guinea pigs with this disease incurable disease, driven to unproven treatments in search of some sort of relief. I am going to do as much as I can to spread awareness for this disease so more women can be diagnosed early and not go so long without treatment or help.
I am one that speaks loud about this illness. I often tell many ots a horrible disease without a face. I have been a FIGHTER for 15 years. I have had many surgeries and procedures. I have been diagnose with cerh stage 2 cervical cancer. Have had ovarian as well. Endometriosis is not understood by many. But i am an advocate for myself and many other women who are to ashame to speak out on it. Im on the rise for finding a cure and going from city to city state to state to encourage many females to keep fighting for help in the form of a cure is on the way. Im honored that i was able to tell my story and have it published here on this awesome website. To all the ladies keep fighting, mostly keep the faith remain prayerful and trust god he will see us through. He has kept us thus far. I know its hard but try and do as i do and smile through the tears they will soon be tears of joy. Please feelbfree to email me anytime quanda410@yahoo.com
Hi, my name is Dana and I was dagnosed with ENDO when I was 20 (1998). After 4 Laporoscopies and a full Hysterectomy in 2001. I started having abdominal pains about 2 years later and for the last 6 / 7years was told from my Physician that it was gastro problems. After 3 MRI’s and a 2nd trip to the ER this year alone, they say my Endo has returned. Luckily I was able to have a child prior to my original diagnoses. But, If I knew in 2001 that this could have returned I probably would Not have had the Hysterectomy. I am scheduled to see my OBGYN tomorrow. GOOD LUCK to ALL my ENDO Sisters out there!
Hello Sisters of Endo,
I was first diagnosed with Endo at 23 but started having trouble at 15 when I got my period. I have had the surgeries, the pills and the Lupron shots. Those shots made me angry! I also gained 50 pounds. I was naive and just wanted to make the pain go away. I had a laparoscopy done and then it was back within a few months so I started the Lupron. I had LOTS of fertility issues. I had IUI treatments and 2 miscarriages. On my third and what was going to be my last round of IUI treatments I had a successful pregnancy. I now have my precious 3 year old daughter. I had placenta previa so she was delivered via c-section. That turned out to save my life because I ended up having an emergency partial hysterectomy. Now I’m almost 40 years old and have been diagnosed with endometrial cyst. Another words I have a cyst inside my ovary that has endometriosis in it. UGH!! I’m looking for t-shirts and bracelets and things like that that I can pass out to friends and family.
Thanks for the vent session!
Good luck to all!!!
Sondra
I was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 23 when I was sent to the emergency room for excruciating abdominal pain. Because I also have kidney stones, I thought it was related to that. It turned out that I had an ovarian cyst the size of a grapefruit. very painful because it burst in my ovary, then it twisted my ovary. I am now 27, and thankfully have not had any more surgeries, however, I still get painful cysts and painful periods. no one seems to understand the pain. other women think im just not strong enough to handle the pain of a period that ‘EVERY WOMAN GETS”. I just cant seem to explain it enough to let people understand that the pain I get is not as normal as every other womans pms pains. physically, mentally, and emotionally I feel drained. But, when I read that I am not alone in this, it picks me up a little. Knowing that there are other people who understand my pain lets me know that I am not alone. thank you.
My Name is Jenna and I was diagnosed with severe endometriosis last year at the age of 27. I was rushed into hospital with kidney stones and 5 operations later they found that my entire pelvis was covered. My left ovary had twisted and attached itself to my FEMA artery. They had tried to free it but the chance of survival was very low. My doctor decided to not free the ovary. 3 months later my pain was worse and I was rushed back into hospital. This time they had to free my ovary. I had a 30% chance of survival and I started to bleed out in surgery. They found that in 3 months my bowel had become attached and that the Endo had spread to my bowel, bladder and colon. My colon had been twisted too. They managed to free everything and burn the Endo and I managed to pull through the 4hour operation. 7weeks later I collapsed in pain again. My endo has grown back again.
I live in South Africa and not many people know about the severity of it and what pain it causes. I wish there was a way to make people more aware of it.
I don’t wish this horrible body sucking disease on anyone.
I always ak Why Me. What did I do wrong?? Still trying to find the answer to those questions.
Jenna,
You did nothing wrong. I used to say why me as well but God does things for a reason. Maybe He has a higher purpose out there for you. Remember God only gives you as much as you can handle at any moment in time.
I was diagnosed a the age of 29. I am now 40 I had a total hysterectomy and had 6 endo related surgeries within that time span. I married the love of my life and we’ve been married 17 years and 27 years together – we met in high school and we cannot have children. I want to do something in support of others so young women will not have to suffer like I did.
Sharon
Hello my name is paisley and I was just diagnosed 2 weeks ago.
I’m 19 years old and have a boyfriend of 2 years! It always
Worrys me about having a child because that’s my dream, is to be
A mom! I didn’t know how much endo affected women! I want to be there for
Everyone that has endometriosis. Let me know where to start an how to help!
Thanks a lot
Paisley
Paisley,
I know that it sounds scary right now to you about possibly losing the ability of having children but there are other options out there. We, my husband and I, are considering adoption in the future. You still be a momma. Wishing you all the best, Sweetheart.
Join our site on Facebook, endo sisters, we are all there for each other.. good luck and God Bless
I have endometriosis I found out 2 years ago after surgery of 2 tumor removals I sttuggle day to day hurting in pain things that I want to do in life sometimes hold you back.
I was diagnosed with endo at 16. I had a full hysterectomy at 21 due to stage 4 endo. I am 39 now and have been through 30 surgeries for endo and for complications from endo. I have tried almost every endo med available but none helped much. I still have endo and pain.
Dr. Mosbrcker in Gig Harbor WA is the best in the country. It took me a bit to get in to see her but she is worlds apart from other physicians. I too have suffered since a teen and finally feel hope at almost 40. I can’t urge you enough to get in to see her, she’s worth the trip/wait.
Hi,
My name is Chelsey I have been battling endometriosis since I was about 14, I had my first laparoscopy at 17 but wasn’t diagnosed until two weeks before my 20th birthday when I had my second laparoscopy. It hasn’t been easy with all the medication and the not being able to eat things I once enjoyed. I still have pain that bothers me from day to day. I believe that endometriosis has a genetic component, my mom also battled with the disease, luckily she was able to have children before she had her hysterectomy, but she too had a rough road. I want to spread awareness so that a cure can be found, so that women don’t have to suffer from this nightmare any longer.
I fought endo for 6 years roughly and I believe that had it when I was a teenager. I was never able to have children because of it. For those out there who are fighting the good fight fight on. Hopefully there will be a gene found that causes this dreadful condition and a replacement gene will be found to fix the defective one. Be strong ladies. <3<3
Hello, I’m 26 and was actually just officially diagnosed with endometriosis yesterday. I had my first pelviscopic surgery yesterday and I was in stage 3. The endometriosis was all over my organs and my rectum was actually being pulled into my uterus. I have a history of cervical and ovarian cancer in my family and I’m really nervous about what to expect next and was wondering if any of you ladies have any advice? I always had terrible periods but after I had my second daughter 21 months ago they became unbearable along with horrible back and hip pain. My surgery lasted around 3 hours yesterday and my doctor said he’s almost positive it will come back within 2 years. While I’m happy I had the surgery to help me temporarily I can’t help but feel sad about the diagnosis. I almost feel as if my body is a ticking time bomb?
Thanks,
Stephanie