Telling Our Stories
I strongly believe that we should be able to tell our stories, and we especially need to be able to tell our endometriosis stories. Many of us have never really told our endo-story before because we may be embarrassed by the details, we feel that no-one has the time to listen or no-one can really comprehend, or we may think those listening believe we are exaggerating or searching for a pity-party.
But telling our endometriosis story has power - and it may be one of the most powerful medicines for us on earth - switching off our toxic stress hormones and switching on the relaxation response that releases healing hormones. Telling our endometriosis story can function as a preventative medicine and a treatment.
Telling your story helps you make sense of your life — why certain events happened the way they did. You begin to examine what has happened to you and through you.
Telling your endo-story also connects you to others. It reminds you that you are not alone and your lonely experience becomes a shared experience.
My Endo-story
I remember the day very clearly. It was my post-op follow-up with my surgeon from my very first laparoscopy for my endometriosis. He was pleased to inform me that he had successfully removed a decent sized endometrioma (a ‘chocolate cyst’) from my ovary and along with it he had also removed a good portion of my left ovary. My left ovary.
I sat there stunned. No-one had even asked me! I was 26 and had never had surgery before, and I felt a bit lost - and yes, forgotten - in the whole process. I asked: “Am I ok now? Am I fixed?” I was expecting a resounding ‘YES’! I had undergone surgery. I had lost part of my ovary. Surely that was enough? However, what my surgeon told me next has stayed with me since that day. He said “Well…it’s likely you will need to come back in for surgery every couple of years…” Again, I was stunned. I asked him, “is there not anything else I can do?” His reply was, “just come back in when necessary”.
Even at 26 with no real knowledge of my condition, my inner intuition was sure that could not be all, and I could not fathom a lifetime of surgeries! My OB/GYN had suggested that I try and fall pregnant as soon as possible which seemed radical and unrealistic and I was shocked at how the medical system had so little to offer me in regards to support and treatment of the cause…
Because I knew I needed help.
I have laid, curled up, on the floor of the toilet cubicle, in acute pain, thinking for sure I would soon faint from the agony, I have been carried out of a lecture hall to the university medical centre because I was rolling on the floor in agony, I have been picked up by strangers who found me lying on the side of the road while I was out for an innocent stroll, I have thrown up in plant pots in public, I have slept on my desk in the middle of a work day, I have been up all night with pain and gas (oh the joys!), I have spiralled mentally down into that black hole, I have had my heart micro-break every month upon month upon month upon month when I could not conceive…
Then I started to take control of my health
During that time, natural therapies and practitioners started to shine a beacon of light for me and provided a road back to myself. I found answers and relief. Natural health healers instructed me in the craft of castor-oil packs, womb steams, abdominal massage, essential oils and supplementation. Acupuncture (blessed acupuncture!) helped to reduce my pain levels down to almost zero, my nutrition training taught me about a low-inflammation diet and life-style, and my counselling experience taught me about training my mind. I began to move my body and ground my being, and I began to heal…
My road, like many women with endometriosis, has been long, at times very dark, confusing, often lonely, and with many twists and turns and new road-blocks at different stages. I know I am one of the lucky ones. I received a fairly early diagnosis compared to others. I had only been putting up with the pain for 8 years at that stage - not 18. Or 28. The OB/GYN I saw listened to me, pre-diagnosed me almost immediately and did not dismiss me, like some women have experienced. For that I am forever grateful, and I am now so overjoyed with current medical research and awareness surrounding endometriosis - but we still have so far to go.
Since 26 years old, my quest has been to take back control of my health. Now that quest has become to support other women with endometriosis take back control of their health, so we can move from surviving to thriving!
Healing begins from within — and I’m here to help you activate it.
Chat with me
If you’ve been lost and lonely in your endometriosis journey, I’m here to listen.