Author: Bloomin' Uterus

Share Your Story: Shadoegirl19

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Shadoegirl19 was just 16 years old when she learned she had Endometriosis.  Now 48 and living in Michigan, she shares her story with us today…and uplifting encouragement.  Not only was she able to have three beautiful children prior to a hysterectomy, but she, unfortunately, was also diagnosed with inoperable Endometriosis of her spine.  However, she remains incredibly strong and supportive.

Shadoegirl19’s Journey:   At the age of 16 I lost my right ovary to Endometriosis. I had suffered from about 13 (the on set of my periods) until the day my ovary basically exploded from all the endometriomas & scarring. The surgeon had never seen anything like it (lucky me).

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The Blogger Recognition Award

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*squee* I love these things. 🙂

A fellow EndoSister and Blogger The Dissociated Press nominated me for this wonderful opportunity to tell you how the Bloomin’ Uterus blog began.

As you know, I have Endometriosis.  I was diagnosed back in June of 2014 with this illness I knew nothing about and could hardly pronounce.  My nurse helped me better understand Endometriosis by describing it as sort of a crabgrass that you cut and it can grow back again and again.

I felt disgusting on the inside.  Hideous.  Infiltrated by some alien.

So, I created the Bloomin’ Uterus and a little mantra to remind myself that I was none of those things:

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Then I delved into researching more about the illness.  Why had I not heard of this disease that affects one in 10 women?  What could be done? What caused it?  I obsessed.  And I needed somewhere to write down all of my findings.

I’ve never blogged before in my life.  But I grew up writing in my diaries. So, this was my online diary.  My thoughts and fears and pure opinion.  But that soon progressed into something bigger.

Rather than simply writing about my issues, I wanted to help spread the word about Endometriosis.  I wanted to connect with other women who had it. I wanted THEM to share their stories! AND I wanted to be able to share the books I’d collected and the things I’d learned.  So the blog morphed from an online diary into what it is today.

A place where people can ask me a question, I research the answers, and post my interpretation of what I’ve read.  Am I always right? No.  But that’s the beautiful part about having an illness that has no true black and white answers.

I’ve connected with so many incredible women.  And I’ve learned to embrace my illness; all of it.  Without it, I would never have become the strong woman that I am today.  And I will never stop…

I would like to nominate these fellow bloggers who I find incredibly inspiring in their own ways!   Tell us why you started YOUR blog!!

The Endo The World – Claire ❤ xoxoxo ❤

The Endo Zone – one of my all time favs, Marixsa

Yellow Endo Flower – a wonderful blog started by a woman in Kenya wanting to raise awareness and build a community of Warriors there.

Bloomin’ Uterus on Instagram!

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Well, it’s done!  One of our local EndoSisters from San Diego impressed upon me the importance and outreach Instagram could offer.  But, I myself an sooo not savvy when it comes to technology or these *new* *hip* sites…so, I’ve been resisting.

Luckily, this same Sister, Heidi, graciously offered to set up a Bloomin’ Uterus Instagram account and post on behalf of our group.

If you have an Instagram account and want to connect, please feel free to check out www.instagram.com/bloominuterus or @bloominuterus.

Thank you, Nicole, for all of your help and manning our IG account!!!  You’re amazing.  And I *heart* you.

Share Your Story: Lyndsay

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Lyndsay was 32 years old when she was diagnosed with Endometriosis.  Now 37, she lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her beautiful family and wants to share her Endo Journey with us.  Lyndsay is one of the rare EndoSisters whose lungs are affected by the disease!

Lyndsay’s Journey: I always had painful periods as a teenager, and into my twenties. I didn’t really think anything of it at the time.

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New T-Shirts Are Available!

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2018 BU shirts

This year we’re releasing black Bloomin’ Uterus t-shirts.  I received a lot of feedback that people wanted a darker color (to avoid stains and such), so here we go!

Once again, I’m working with teespring.com and they will donate 100% of the profits to the Endometriosis Foundation of America (which comes to about $5 from each sale).  Instead of having a deadline, these shirts will always be available for purchase and will be printed and shipped directly to you.

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There are several styles available to you this year:

Hanes Tagless Tee – $18.00

Women’s Premium Tee – $21.00

Women’s Tank Top – $22.00

Women’s V-Neck Tee – $21.00

Unisex Hoodie – $28.00

Long Sleeve Tee – $22.00

If you would like to place an order, please do so by clicking here, choosing your style(s), and size(s).   Your purchase not only helps spread the word (I guarantee you will be stopped as asked what Endometriosis is) but helps fund the EFA’s efforts.  And you get to wear a very stylish Bloomin’ Uterus *insert grin here*.

I cannot thank you enough for all of your support over the past few years.  You’ve made this Journey so incredible.

Love, Lisa

 

Feel Good Fridays

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Good morning and Happy Friday!  Another week has flown by…

This one goes out to my EndoSisters.  All of you.  But especially the ones that I get the pleasure of sitting with once a month, talking, laughing, crying, enjoying each other’s company.  You truly are my heroes.

“Heroes didn’t leap tall buildings or stop bullets with an outstretched hand; they didn’t wear boots and capes. They bled, and they bruised, and their superpowers were as simple as listening, or loving. Heroes were ordinary people who knew that even if their own lives were impossibly knotted, they could untangle someone else’s. And maybe that one act could lead someone to rescue you right back.” 
― Jodi Picoult, Second Glance

I love you guys.

A Statement from Alicia Landis

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Alicia is a friend of mine, an EndoSister, and a reader of my little blog.  Today she shared something with me that I would like to share with you:

Did you know that 1 in 10 women get Endometriosis and not know it? Endometriosis is a non-curable disease that can spread throughout the body and it is not testable. No matter what type of technology doctors use except laparoscopic surgery can be detected to find an accurate diagnosis of the disease. Yes we all know that Endo is on the uterus, ovaries and Fallopian tubes but I also learned that it can spread throughout the body and can be dormant in other places in the body. Not every case is the same, but we should all understand that we are doing our very best to spread awareness and let people know that approximately 176 million women around the world are affected by this disease. So if you know someone who thinks they might have Endometriosis that needs to be checked out, then they should do so right away. Studies show that it also takes up to 10 years to find an accurate diagnosis. I myself did a hysterectomy thinking it was a cure but it really isn’t. That’s why in the month of March, we wear yellow to celebrate Endometriosis Awareness Month, because not only are we warriors but champions, and together we can defeat this disease and together we can make a difference. Thank you.

Alicia, thank you for spreading awareness in all of the ways that you do and for allowing me to share it here. May others share it as well!  Wishing you a beautiful and healthy 2018.

Feel Good Fridays!

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It’s Friday!  The first of 2018!

And today’s quote is all for my Mom.  I love you, woman.  May you find that blurred line:

“If I have one piece of advice to give you all about what to search for in your quest for What Next, it’s to find where the line blurs between hard work and happiness for you. To find that thing where working hard at it makes you happy, and where you’re happy to work hard at it.” 
― Tom Fletcher

Happy New Year, my Readers and Friends.  Looking forward to learning and growing with you in 2018.

Love, Lisa