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Tuesday, May 31, 2016


I'm Back!!
...Why I was gone and what it all means.




It has been a long time since I have posted on here but things have been a little overwhelming and crazy. I wish I could say that I was off traveling the world or doing something fabulous but the truth of the matter is I have been dealing with some major health issues and recovering from surgeries. I know that blogging about my health is not what I primarily do but I want to help bring awareness to a disease that a lot of people are not aware even exists and I want to dispel some of the myths that are out there regarding this disease.
I have a disease called endometriosis. Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent chronic disease that is technically classified as a gynecological disease and begins with painful periods making it a taboo subject for a lot of people to speak openly about but that is just where it begins. It usually begins in the reproductive organs but can and often spreads to the bowels, bladder, peritoneal cavity, lungs along with so many other areas of the body and sometimes in very rare cases the heart and brain. Endometriosis can cause debilitating pain in the abdominal and pelvic area, extreme fatigue, nausea, vomiting, back pain, fertility issues and is even said to contribute to the cause of so many other major health problems. Endo affects roughly 200 million women and 1 in 10 women are affected by this disease worldwide. You would think that with such a common disease that a proper diagnosis would be shorter than 7-10 years but that is exactly how long the average woman has to suffer before being diagnosed. More problems arise from the delay of diagnosis other than pain and suffering. By delaying the diagnosis you are also delaying the treatment and removal of the disease which can lead to detrimental damage to numerous different organs among other areas of the body. Endometriosis is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed diseases for many reasons but one of the reasons is because endometriosis is an invisible illness meaning that an endo sufferer may look perfectly healthy on the outside making it that much more difficult to convince doctors of the seriousness and urgency of the symptoms. Endometriosis is not detected through modern imaging like CT scans and MRI s, nor is it detectable via an ultrasound. The only way to detect, diagnose and remove endometriosis is through a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy which is another reason that a proper diagnosis can take so long. Once a diagnosis is made one would think that a treatment plan would be developed and the road to recovery would be underway but unfortunately there is no cure for endometriosis,none and the only thing that can be done is to try and prevent it from spreading and to manage the symptoms. A lot of people are under the impression that there is a cure for endometriosis but that is just one of the many misconceptions regarding this disease. Some of the other myths that surround endo are that hysterectomies will cure endo, painful periods are normal, menopause will cure endo, getting pregnant will cure endo, it is contagious, pre-teens and teenagers are too young to have endo, hormonal treatments can cure and prevent endometriosis and many others sadly. None of those things are true and spreading misinformation is really a detriment to the education of the disease and can cause great harm. Endometriosis is a devastating disease both physically and mentally as well. Not being able to get out of bed from pain and nausea, not being able to do certain activities, having to cancel plans, losing friends due to the limitations that endometriosis imposes upon your life, losing romantic relationships, not being able to keep a full time job and in some cases not being able to have children all cause an overwhelming amount of emotional pain and distress that nobody can even begin to fathom unless you have experienced it as well. Having a strong support system is vital for someone with endo as are support groups, a lot of which can be found on the internet and Facebook. If you do not have endometriosis but would like to be a support system for someone who does, just be there for them. If they aren't feeling good or have to cancel plans offer to go over with ice cream and watch a movie in your pajamas. If they are having a bad day and are in a lot of pain, don't try and solve it, you cant, just listen and let them know that you are there if they need you. Another great thing that you can do for your friend or family member with endometriosis is to spread awareness about this horrible, incurable disease. There is not enough funding for research so a cure can be found because not many people are aware of the disease and what it truly does to someone and their life, you can help change that. Thank you so much for reading this and please feel free to share it to help spread awareness. If you would like more information on endometriosis and events that take place in support of endo you can find them here at www.endomarch.org or you can email the Worldwide EndoMarch at info@endomarch.com or you can email myself with any questions that you may have at EndoWarrior@hotmail.com I myself have been battling this disease since the age of ten years old although I did not get a diagnosis until I was 21. I have had twelve surgeries, two of which have been within this last year alone. I am feeling a lot better thanks to the last surgery that I had in Atlanta, Georgia with Dr. Kenny Sinervo at the Center for Endometriosis Care. Since I am finally feeling better I am starting to get my fire for life back and my love of being creative. I am going to be starting my blog back up and have some really fun and exciting stuff planned for the near future. I am so ready to continue sharing my love of makeup, fashion and lifestyle. Thank you for reading this and I appreciate all of the love and support...
Here's to the future!!!
 
xoxo Erin