Monday, March 5, 2018

Day 3 of Endometriosis Awareness Month

  • Day 3 of #theendophotochallenge2018

    Symptoms;


    Severe Pain
    Anxiety
    Sciatica 
    Constipation
    Diarrhoea
    Vomiting
    Collapsing/Dizziness
    Hypertension 
    Migraines 
    Scar tissue pulling/pain/itching
    Deep vaginal pain
    Blood clots/Heavy bleeding 
    Infertility
    Irregular cycle
    Aneamia(low iron)
    Contraction pain (also related to Adenomyosis) 
    Pain in/on;

    Pelvis, back, lower back, ovaries, shoulders, ribs, intercostal, behind eyes from migraines, leg cramps, sciatica, bowels, uterine contractions, bladder pain, cysts rupturing on ovaries, passing clots, pain during sex/bowel movements/urination.

    #endometriosisawareness #endoflare#endopain #fightlikeagirl #endoaware#ovulation #ovarypain #bowelresection#surgeries #painlevelhigh#1outof10doesntworkforme #1in10#176millionwomen #weneedacure#spoonie #chronicpain #chronicillness#invisibleillness #stageivendo #staystrong#positivethinking #mentalhealth#positivevibes #powerofpositivity #healing#respect #bekind #friendship#mentalhealthawareness

Friday, March 2, 2018

What is Endometriosis? (March 2018)







Stand up for yourself. You have 176 million Sister's with you in this. Don't allow anyone to take your control away or kick out at your comfort zone. 
If you can't do something right now because of this invisible illness then tell the person/people who are expecting too much from you.

Knowledge is our best weapon. Ignorance breeds intolerance to our situation.

I'm grateful to have my person, the one I can talk to about my limitations and she doesn't guilt trip me because she two went through it. But touch wood she was able to carry two pregnancies full term before having a hysterectomy at 32. @firequeen7 
I've had to resort to an endometrial ablation, Dec 2017,of my uterus to try control the clots and haemorrhaging. This now means I will never carry my own child. 
Without the unconditional support for the past 21 almost 22 years  I honestly don't know where I'd be. I've gone through some really dark times due to this illness and as we know there is no cure.

We need to do our part now matter how big or small in order to educate others as much as we can about Endo & Adeno, PCOS, FBD, Fibroids, cysts... Keep a diary and if something looks out of the ordinary such as bleeding longer than a week please contact your primary health care.

Apologies for the late rant. It's been a tough few months. 
Big hugs and love you you guys. If anyone needs/wants to discuss this further DM me please.
#chronicillness #chronicpain
#endometriosisawareness #endoflare #endopain #fightlikeagirl #endoaware #adenomyosis #Adenoawareness #surgery #ablation #laparotomy #excision #decapeptyl #laparoscopy #bowelresection #hysterectomyforadeno #anxiety
#choices #endosucks #bitemeendo #fuckthispain #constantpainisnotnirmal

#endomarch2018

Are you participating in your city? My country ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช doesn't march for Endo which is disappointing. Although to my knowledge the national charity EAI have turned up to the women's mini marathon and wear their shirts to promote themselves/endo. 
Research shows 1 in 10 women have some form of Endo. I don't have stats for Adeno. That 176 million women worldwide and no cure. Shocking, in 2018 to still be fighting this.

#1in10 #176millionwomen #fightlikeagirl๐Ÿ’ช

Day 1 & 2 of awareness month

I am 1 in 10 women #1in10 #176millionwomen




March 01st 2018 is the start of #endometriosisawarenessmonth and the #theendophotochallenge2018 to raise awareness.

I am 1 in 10 women who have this invisible disease. I am also 1 out of 176 million globally. I've been living with my diagnosis since age 18 but my symptoms started right around 11 years old.

My Mum had it too as did all of her Sister's and my Maternal Grandmother. Nearly all had hysterectomies based on Doctors advice back then that it would "cure" them.
I have Stage IV Endometriosis, which means it has spread beyond my womb and sticks to other organs, in my case my bowel, bladder and ovaries.

It effects every aspect of my daily life. Just because I look fine doesn't mean that I am.
Spread love, hope and support please. ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’› I also have Adenomyosis which is Endo that grows in the muscular walls of the womb. The only way to rid my body of this is a hysterectomy.
๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’œ However a hysterectomy is NOT a cure for Endometriosis. Neither is PREGNANCY.

THERE IS NO CURE!
#endochallenge #endoaware #endolife #awareness #1in10 #176millionwomen #marchisendoawarenessmonth #notjustabadperiod #EducateYourself #spreadawareness #infertility #ovulation #stageivendo #chronicillness #invisibleillness #endopain #endosymptoms #supporteachother #dontbeignorant #askmeaboutmyendo






Day 2 of #theendophotochallenge2018





#1in10 #theendophotochallenge2018 ๐Ÿ‘† Barely touches on how Endometriosis affects my daily life.
Most of the time I am restricted to my house because of the daily pain. The pain meds make me drowsy and sleeping when I can, as I'm a chronic insomniac, is the only way to escape the pain for a short while.

Endo is not just confined to the womb. It can and does grow outside, sticking to other organs like the appendix, gallbladder, bowels, bladder and sometimes the lungs.

It can cause Infertility which can be and is heartbreaking. It forces you to cancel plans because there is no predicting the flares and honestly I've lost count of the friends I've lost along the way due to my condition. Even certain members of my family never understood what I was going through. One actually thought that I was getting more attention when I was diagnosed and got jealous. It can destroy relationships. There is no end to the suffering.
The illness has been compared by my specialist in August 2017 to Cancer. Others have compared the pain to labour. We need more understanding about our invisible condition. If you said that you had Cancer you'd get more help and support than when you tell people you have Endo and that comes from a lack of knowledge.
We need to shout and scream so young girls can be diagnosed as quickly as possible. We need science to find a treatment that works without throwing us into a false menopause or raising our blood pressure, giving us searing migraines, leg cramps, weight gain, mood swings, black outs etc.

Please educate yourself and if you suspect your daughter, Sister cousin, girlfriend partner or wife may have it get to your G.P and get the ball rolling.

Ladies, keeping a diary of your cycles proves very useful when going for your consultations.

There are apps out now that make it a lot easier to track your period, mark down how many days, how long or short your cycle is and how bad your pain levels are etc. You'll find them for free in your app store. Android or IPhone.
Spread awareness, hope and support those who need it. ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’›

Sunday, July 13, 2014

A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.


memegenerator.net

Sleep is overrated right? I did manage to drift off around 3:00 a.m but then woke up just after 4:15 a.m and could not sleep. I had a pillow under my legs as they kept cramping all night. My calves are literally so sore when I'm moving. Even having then elevated my ankles hurt and then the spasms shoot straight up  my calves. Then there's the thigh pain. Literally, a lot of people don't realise the other aches and pains that get triggered when you're having a flare up. My shoulders feel like I have a bag of potatoes strapped to my bag, especially between the shoulder blades. Tender breasts, not to mention a lovely heat rash under them which I'm currently staving off with  Zinc Oxide.

To keep with my promise I made this year below you'll find three photo's of me over the course of this morning. Honestly, I've had a little cry because the pain has just floored me. My back, pelvic area, ovaries, abdomen, just everything is so sore. I'm hoping that this all just means that my body is still regulating itself as I am off treatment at the moment.

Feeling completely overwhelmed 8:00 a.m
Meltdown over. 


Exhausted and fed up 9:15 a.m


Please, I just need a little break 10:43a.m

OK, I had to take a break there. Using my breathing techniques after I had a little outburst. Sometimes, although I try to stay positive in my mind my situation just drowns me so releasing that energy and letting it go rather than bottling it up is the best way I've found to deal when this happens. It's not a regular occurance because I do tend to let things build in my head (which I'm working on) but dealing with it, just recognizing the emotions I feel is a much healthier way of coping.

So I am once again partially horizontal, attempting to study but honestly can't concentrate. Irritated and frustrated but I am reminded time and time again that it's only temporary. Just like a storm this too shall pass.
Meanwhile, I will read, try to nap and hope I feel a bit better later on. Looking forward to seeing my Mum this evening. The weather is looking good enough for a BBQ and of course the World Cup final is on. Mum is up for Germany, Rodney Argentina so that in itself will be entertaining for me.

Summery blue toenails. Cramped and swollen legs elevated now.
My wonderful boyfriend Rodney is starting his holidays today and I'm looking forward to spending some quality time together. I don't care if it rains.

Wishing you all a lovely, restful Sunday. Love to my endo Sisters and thank you for all of your kind words and support.

XxxX