Even the orchid has an Endo face...

pinterst.com

During the night the pain began. Slowly at first, just a small ache. Nothing to moan about. Gradually, the pain increases. I can feel it right down to my ankles which are now swollen. I elevate my legs for a time before attempting to go about my day. I think I manage pretty well, getting study done, some household chores and I even manage to gett my wall art up before I start feeling that overwhelming tiredness. The fatigue appears as if from nowhere, yet I know it's been building. My legs are sore and my ovaries are beginning to pull. It's time to get my water, pillows and a nice cup of tea. I settle in, as comfortable as I can get and manage to write up an assignment.

ladycarehealth.com (I'll let you know if this works for me)

As I am writing this post I am somewhat horizontal, packed up with pillows and cushions to keep my legs elevated (courtesy of Rodney). Dinner has just been made, which I can't even eat because I'm so bloated and uncomfortable there just isn't any appetite there. A movie "Afterlife" (fairly decent) is about to go on before we watch Brazil -v- Holland (I've a soft spot for the Dutch) play for third place in the World Cup, which of course they win.I have taken painkillers of course but we're all used to our usual merrigoround with Endo. Keeping myself calm and trying to remain relaxed is the key for me here so the pain doesn't take hold.

strikerno9.blogspot.com

Hoping to have a BBQ tomorrow, with my Mum coming over to watch the final game of the World Cup with us (Germany -v- Argentina, Ozil -v- Messi,) I've promised Rodney I'll cheer for Argentina although if Ozil does score I will be quite pleased. Let's hope it's a fair and intersting game.

Being completely restless I decided to watch "Cracks" after falling in love with Eva Green as you do when you watch Penny Dreadful.

thegeekiary.com

I must say she's only continued to get better with each role I've seen her in.Yes, I know I'm not really discussing Endo here but one can only attempt to describe pain so much until it becomes upsetting. I found the following on twitter and just had to share it with you lovely ladies.

(twitter.com)

I will wrap this ramble up with a goodnight to you all as the clock approaches 1:00 a.m. Beyond tired now I will head to bed, sit the pillow under my legs and read my latest JD. Robb until sleep comes. 

Till tomorrow, football and hopefully a less painful day.

XxxX

Hope, strength and an Endoplation

Many of you are trying to conceive, some of you may have already so congratulations. For the rest who wonder if we'll ever experience that particular joy my advice is to keep your chin up. Almost every other day I see women on my support groups announcing their pregnancies and continuing to support and wish the rest of us luck. There is one thing we can all hold onto through our difficult times whether or not your aim is to become pregnant. There still remains;

The bonds we have created because of and in a way despite this illness are incredibly strong. Most of us will never meet face to face but we outline the most intimate details of our lives. Why? Because it's not giving out, complaining or moaning. Simply swapping information with someone who is going through or has gone through what you may be experiencing at that particular point in their life. However, sometimes explaining to people can be a right pain. How do you make others understand?


Whilst browsing through my usual support group pages I came across this photo and thought I'd share it on with you all. It gives a really good explanation of Endo or Endoplation if you will, what we go through and comes very close I think to describing how it feels. Please, take a moment to read it, share with your partner or familial support. Maybe even that friend who doesn't quite "get it". I believe this is a very powerful statement and by educating people we can hope to not only create awareness but perhaps even to help some other women get diagnosed. Who knows?

Ours is a battle. A constant, uphill struggle. Yet many of the women I have met with this illness are among the strongest I know. We can cope with a lot more than we give ourselves credit for and while the emotional pain of infertility can't be overlooked we strive to fight on.

Love to my Endo Sister's as always,

XxxX

NEAM (National Endometriosis Awareness Month)

Ok guys, we're almost half way through March the month where we try our best to create awareness of Endometriosis. Some people are doing fun run's, other's wearing t-shirts or badges with statement like "Ask me about Endo" on them to encourage people to query; What is Endo?

Are you doing you're bit?

If you feel you don't have the time to run or you can't gain access to the clothing or badges why not make a donation? No matter how big or small there are a lot of charities, research centres and bioscience groups that need your generosity. My personal favourites are the ERC (Endometriosis Research Centre),
Endometriosis UK, or The Endometriosis Association of Ireland. Please find the links below.


www.endo.ie/

www.endometriosis-uk.org/

www.endocenter.org/


Any of these charities would be delighted to accept any donation large or small. If however, you would like to choose your own charity please feel free to do so this is merely a guide. 

With reference to the "bioscience groups". I have had personal experience with Juneau Biosciences, they are looking for women to supply a sample of DNA to help with their studies in attempting to see if Endometriosis is genetic as many of us believe and also how to isolate the gene in order to aid the future generation's early detection and treatment so they do not have to suffer as long as many women have done. 

Here's the link for these guys. It costs just time, a brief questionnaire, DNA in the form of a saliva sample, no blood and you need to give them access to your operative and or pregnancy records.

https://www.endtoendo.com/enroll/enroll.php


If you have any different ideas or even questions feel free to contact me here.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month!

Ladies,

In case you don't know yet March is the month to create some awareness about Endometriosis.

There are plenty of great sites out there with a lot of information on this invisible

condition & also some excellent support forums for women to talk to others who are going through similar experiences to themselves.

So how do we create awareness?

* Talk openly about the condition. The more women that know & understand the symptoms of Endo the more that can get checked out.

* Talk to your local G.P about putting up some posters around the office supporting Endo Awareness.

* Organise a fun run or local charity fundraiser in support of Endo.

These are just a few ideas of how to create awareness in your local community.

The symptoms of Endo include;

~ Pelvic pain before, during or after menstruation

~Pain during sexual intercourse

~Pain in the lower back region

~Pain while passing urine or pain in the bowel during menstruation

Other symptoms include;

Painful, heavy periods. Bloating of the abdomen, diarrhea or constipation (connected with timing of the monthly period) & fatigue.

Another well-known symptom connected with Endometriosis is

Infertility. Approximately 30-40% of women diagnosed with Endometriosis are subfertile. (endometriosis.org)

So far, there is no cure & scientists are not conclusive on what cause Endometriosis.

The good news?? - YOU CAN FIGHT IT!

There's a great video link at http://endometriosis.org/endometriosis/symptoms/

for anyone who needs more information, especially one from a medical point of view.

There are a variety of treatment for this condition & everyone's experience differs somewhat i.e their own level of pain, symptoms & response to treatment all varies with each patient.

Our goal is to make people more aware of the condition, to talk openly about it so women do not suffer in silence.

These are some great sites that I personally have found useful over the course of my fight with Endo;

www.endometriosis.org

www.endosupp.com

www.endometriosis.org.uk

www.endo-resolved.com

www.endo.ie

For the entire month of March I will be writing a new blog every few days with more & more info on Endo, covering treatment options available (some I've tried), support networks & how to live with Endo.

{If you require medical attention seek out a G.P or local Emergency Room. These opinions are my own & no information given is to over rule or counteract medical advice.}