Patricia was only 16 years old when she was diagnosed with Endometriosis. Now 42, she lives in Montreal, and tells her tale now. It includes a progressively worsening diagnosis, a full hysterectomy, ongoing medical treatment, and 32 surgeries! Despite her medical efforts and treatment, she continues to suffer with the illness.
Patricia’s Journey: I was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 16. It wasn’t too bad at that point, but between the age of 16 to 21 it went to stage 4. So it was decided at the age of 21 to have a full hysterectomy, thinking it would be a cure. I also had tried all the medications that were available at the time to treat it. Nothing worked not even the full hysterectomy.
Living in Barbados, Katrina was 29 when she was diagnosed with Endometriosis. Today she’s 34 years old and shares her Journey with us. She truly is a Warrior!
Katrina’s Journey: Life started out normal like any teenager but it soon came to an abrupt hault when I started to mature a bit more then the pains associated with my period was terrifying on the onset of my menstruation. As I grew older the pain got worse at age I was hospitalized for a low blood count due to the amount of blood I had lost in that one cycle it was terrifying.
A local EndoWarrior, artist, and good friend of mine, Sarah Soward, created this fun and beautiful little graphic after my recent conversation with a local retired gynecologist. Wishing more doctors, friends, and family truly understood just what a problem Endometriosis is…
Like the image? Feel free to share it! Like Sarah says, “We have to talk about the problem in order to solve the problem. “
MB was 20 when she was diagnosed. Now 29 and living in Alabama…her pain is back and she’s not sure how to move forward.
MB’s Journey: I had a baby when I was 18. I got married at 19 and then 6 months later started having bad pains so I saw the gynecologist. She did an ultrasound and test and it was a holiday weekend. They called the end of that day saying there was a mass in my uterus and I need to see the doctor after the holiday. That’s it.
April was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 30, but suffered with the pain for over 18 years before she knew what it was. Like so many of us…Now 37, she lives in Ardmore, Canada and shares her story with us today.
April’s Journey: I was born in Georgetown Ontario in 1979, my parents and I moved to Alberta when I was 2 years old. I was a shy quiet kid growing up so and I still am quiet and somewhat shy at times lol, so it amazes me I am standing here today telling you my story.
Patti was diagnosed with Stage IV Endometriosis when she was 21 years old. Today she is 52 years young and lives in Ontario, Canada. She continues to suffer, but holds tightly onto Hope and has a wonderful network of supportive and understanding friends and family. Fight on, Patti. Fight. On. ❤
Patti’s Journey: My Endometriosis Journey, By: Patricia Anne Young
One day after school, my friend invited me back to her place for a swim. We got changed, and I told her I’d meet her outside, as I had to use the washroom… little did I know I was about to become a “Woman”. I was 12…
“He died that day because his body had served its purpose. His soul had done what it came to do, learned what it came to learn, and then was free to leave.” ~Garth Stein
Twenty years ago today, my Gramma Tilly passed away. Two days later, Grampa followed her and left us as well. I like to think he died of a broken heart. I was 17 years old when two of the most important people in my life were suddenly gone.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of them. in some aspect. They were quirky. They were wonderful. They were loving. Yet they were also a bit on the “grrrr” side if you stepped out of line. They yelled at each other. She had this incredible laugh. You would wake him from a seated nap to him defending, “I wasn’t sleeping – I was inspecting the inside of my eyelids.” She smelled funny. He liked his Blackberry Brandy beneath his desk. She left the butter and mayonnaise out on the counter all the time. They loved their Jeopardy, Bob Ross, and Wheel of Fortune. Every morning on my walk to school, she’d poke her head out the door, waving and shouting, “Have a good day, Leesee!” And oh how the family got together to play cards. ❤
I’m so grateful they lived next door when I was growing up. I truly got to spend a lot of my influential years with these two characters. And I love them still. Oh, so very much. And they loved each of us.
Walter & Tilly. Truly loved, forever missed.
Embrace those that you love today. Have you lost someone? Honor them and share your favorite memory in the comments below. I’d love to hear about them. ❤
“Every sunrise is an invitation for us to arise and brighten someone’s day.”
Be kind to those around you. Strike up a conversation with a stranger. Say “hello” when passing someone. Smile. Hold open the door. Offer a homeless person a bottle of water, an apple, or a $1 or $2. Reach up and get something off a high shelf for someone obviously reaching for it. Ask someone how their day is going…and truly listen to their response.
Get out there and make someone’s day! And happy Weekend!
This week we updated the following blog entries:
Bladder & Endometriosis – added Jan. 2017 European Urology article; added Jan. 2017 International Surgery Journal article
“
Bloomin' Uterus 