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
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