Month: June 2019

Endo Diagnosis: Five years ago today

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cake with a big number 5 candle on it
Birthday Candles by Andy Eick

My calendar has been reminding me every day this week that today is my five-year diagnosis anniversary…and I’m a maelstrom of emotions.

Sad. Happy. Angry. Vindicated. Excited. At peace. Hopeless. Blessed.

Years of pain, telling my doctors, taking meds, cancelling plans, missing work, and accepting it as normal. And five years ago today, I learned the cause of my pain had a name: Endometriosis. I never would have received my diagnosis if it weren’t for a series of ultrasounds, a competent doctor whom I now cherish, and the appearance of a persistent cyst on my ovary:

Feb. 2013: pelvic ultrasound

May 2013: pelvic ultrasound

May 2014: pelvic ultrasound – possible dermoid cyst

May 2014: pelvic MRI

June 30, 2014: exploratory, diagnostic, and excision surgery! SURPRISE ENDO!…not a dermoid cyst.

Sept. 2014: pelvic ultrasound

May 2015: pelvic ultrasound

Feb. 2016: flexible sigmoidoscopy to check out bowels due to pain

May 2016: pelvic ultrasound

July 2016: pelvic CT

Sept 2016: 2nd excision surgery

May 2017: pelvic ultrasound

August 2017: pelvic ultrasound

May 2018: pelvic ultrasound

June 2018: pelvic ultrasound

July 2018: 3rd excision surgery (Endo remained on small intestines to be dealt with ASAP by colo-rectal surgeon)

Nov. 2018: 4th excision surgery and bowel resection

April 2019: pelvic ultrasound

Pending July 2019: pelvic ultrasound to monitor a possible endometrioma…

The journey continues…and the spinning maelstrom of emotions also continue to fester: Sad. Happy. Angry. Vindicated. Excited. At peace. Hopeless. Blessed. Now with the possibility of the disease already being back already, add on: Scared. Nervous. Hopeful.

But my favorite part of today’s five-year anniversary? It led me to my Sisters and fellow Warriors, has given me new friends, and it’s brought me so much closer to my family. Endo given my a voice and purpose. It’s united all of us: Warriors and our Support. And we all fight together…not only for our own survival, but for one another.

Happy Big 5, Endo. Thanks for everything. ❤

Feel Good Fridays

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Desert Tortoise crossing roadway, by Brad Sutton/NPS
Desert Tortoise crossing roadway, by Brad Sutton/NPS

Happy Friday!

I know a lot of my friends have had a rough week. Pain. Cancelled plans. Lots of self-care. Today is for you:

“It does not matter how slow you go as long as you do not stop.” ~Confucius

One foot in front of the other. Or, just stand still…for a moment. Then, keep forging ahead. And if you need it, reach your hand out. I’ll take it and we shall walk together.

Love you guys. Have a great weekend. ~Lisa

Blogs I Added This Week:

New Study: Elagolix vs. Lupron: Abbvie’s findings of which of their two drugs will be more cost effective for patients…(insert grumble here)

Blogs I Updated This Week:

Orilissa: Abbvie’s New Drug: added a June 2019 study showing women no Elagolix/Orilissa had improved work attendance (an extra 2-4 hours per week)

New Study: Elagolix vs. Lupron (Cost Effectiveness & Quality of Life)

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Red apple and green apple
Comparing apples to…apples? Image by Freestocks.org

This will be a highly-charged opinion piece for me…so as you read what I am writing, please know that I am seething and upset and just needed to vent.

A study of Elagolix (aka Orilissa) hit my inbox recently and I just opened it today. It was run by Abbvie, of course. And it compares Elagolix to Lupron to see which is more cost-effective in possibly giving women with Endo a greater quality of life. So, it’s win-win for Abbvie since they make both of those drugs…

Continue reading →

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
Inviting couch

The end of the week already? And June will be done before we know it?!?

Today’s quote is a simple reminder:

“As important as it is to have a plan for doing work, it is perhaps more important to have a plan for rest, relaxation, self-care, and sleep.” 
― Akiroq Brost

Do not forget to find time during your busy week to do…simply nothing. Rest. Relax. Breathe. Take care of yourself. (Please)

Much love to you! ~Lisa

Free Endo Webinar: Dr. Leslie Wakefield

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Our good friends at the Endometriosis Family Support Group in Riverside at doing it again! Are you available to attend a webinar on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at 1:00pm (Pacific Standard Time). Join them for the free online webinar featuring Dr. Leslie Wakefield. Dr. Wakefield will be discussing how how physical therapy can treat Endometriosis symptoms.

Registration is free, but is required. So sign up today!

A huge thank you to the Endometriosis Family Support Group for all that they do!

SAVE THE DATE! 2020 Bloomin’ Uterus Endo Walk

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2019 Bloomin' Uterus Endometriosis Awareness Walk
2019 Bloomin’ Uterus Endo Awareness & Support Walk; photo by Richard T. Reyes

Save the date!

The Worldwide EndoMarch announced Saturday, March 28, 2020 as the date for next year’s walk. And although we aren’t affiliated with their march, we do like to have it on the same day.

Solidarity!

So, save the date: Saturday, March 28, 2020

Further details to follow.

…let the planning begin!

Feel Good Fridays

| Bloomin' Uterus
Back of Lisa's Endometriosis Journey tank top which shows each year of surgery and where endo was found
Back of shirt

As is my customary Friday morning tradition, I found myself back at my favorite bagel place for my breakfast and an almond milk hot chocolate. As I waited for my wares, I noticed a woman waiting in line eyeballing the front of my shirt.

If you haven’t seen the front, it’s a wonderful design, created by a friend, representing my insides after my Endo surgeries. Ha.

Front of tank top showing fun cartoon of uterus, no fallopian tubes, and a resected intestine
Front of shirt

Once she paid for her bagels, she walked right up to me with a big smile.

“I was standing in line reading the back of your shirt,” she said. “So then I had to try to read the front of your shirt to see what it is.”

“Oh?” I prodded.

“You’ve had quite the ride,” she said, with a li’l bit of sadness in her voice.

“It sure has been.”

“I’m familiar with the disease…” she said, leaving it open-ended.

Familiar? Did she have it? Does her daughter??? She looked to be in her sixties. “Are you?” I prodded further. “Do you have it?”

“No,” she smiled, “but I’m an OB nurse.”

We talked for a little while longer while we both waited for our bagel sandwiches and beverages. She seemed surprised at how extensive it could be, how entwined it can get, and how often my surgeries were warranted. I let her know that my pain levels were in a good place since my last one. She placed a warm hand on my shoulder, “I hope it stays that way.” And we said our goodbyes.

Such a wonderful way to start a Friday. And now? On to today’s Feel Good Friday’s quote:

“Finding healthy coping mechanisms are as essential as breathing fresh air

Find what works for you.

Do it with zest and fervor 

Unapologetically” 

― Renee A. Lee

For me, striking up conversations, spreading awareness about Endo, and making connections is a huge part of my coping mechanism and self-administered therapy. That being said, I know it’s not for everyone. What helps you cope? Let me know in the comments below!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Love, Lisa

Blogs I Updated This Week:

Endo & Liver Function: added a 2019 study of a 42-year-old woman who complained of right quadrant pain, vomiting, and nausea. Turns out she had the super-rare Endo on the liver!

Share Your Story: Jenny12

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quote that reads I have always had heavy, painful periods since age 9.

“Jenny12” is a 39-year-old woman living in New York. Officially diagnosed with Endometriosis five years ago, she shares her journey with us today.

Jenny12’s Journey:

I have always had heavy, painful periods since age 9. After many OBGYN’s trying different B.C. I finally had my first lap surgery 5 years ago, and was told stage IV with some adhesions on bowels that were unable to be excised. Did not really help with the pain with my periods, so I was then given Mirena, that was a huge mistake.

Continue reading →

Share Your Story: RDS

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blonde woman laying on couch clutching lower abdomen in pain. Photo courtesy of USDA blog
Original photo courtesy of USDA; re-edited by Lisa Howard

RDS is a 40-year-old woman living in Turkey, struggling to find answers and the medical care she needs.

RDS’S Journey:

I have had issues with my lower abdomen for years. It was always worse during my periods. Three weeks ago a new pain came on my right hand side. I thought it might be appendicitis, so I went to the emergency department. The doctor’s first performed an ultrasound, but couldn’t get a good view of the appendix. It was agony them pushing and searching for the appendix. In actual fact the appendix was behind the ovaries. Because the pain was intense they suspected appendicitis and performed a laparoscopic appendectomy.

Continue reading →