Stories of Others

Share Your Story : Supraneeti

| Bloomin' Uterus
Woman laying down on floor in fetal position

Supraneeti was diagnosed with Endometriosis about a year ago, and has shared her story with us today.  She lives in London and is finding creative ways of expressing herself, our disease, and it’s effect.  Her story, and music video, follow:

I am a fellow Endo-sufferer or shall we say survivor?! I am also a film director and an actress and after being in practical house arrest for more than 5 months, I decided to make a short film in style of a music video.  The most difficult part of my recovery has been the stigma attached to anything to do with lady parts.

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Shoulders for Sisters : Suicide Prevention

| Bloomin' Uterus
Shoulder for Sisters logo

Suicide and Endometriosis has been a topic heavy on my heart for the past seven months.  Am I suicidal? No.  However, last year there were several EndoWarriors who committed suicide.  And this year a few more have.  Too many.  But can easily understand their hopelessness: pain; no cure; the potential for multiple surgeries; regrowth; Western medicine, alternative medicine, natural supplements, snake oils, relief, recurrence, and the cycle starts all over again.  Not to mention a sense of being completely alone, misunderstood, misdiagnosed, mistreated by physicians, mislabeled as drug-seekers, fakers, and crazies.

I’ve been trying to think of ways that I can help. In a small way.  Or a big way.  And I’ve fallen short on ideas… But today I’ve learned of a group where Warriors with suicidal thoughts can go for help.  An old-fashioned phone-line group.  Yes, that’s right.  You can email, PM, or call someone if you need to talk.  Talk with someone who is in your shoes.  Who knows what you’re going through…because they’re going through it, too.  Understand that you are not alone, and understand that people want to listen. And help.

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Share your Story : Tabitha

| Bloomin' Uterus
text that reads "This Disease Sucks"

Tabitha had suffered with the pain associated with Endo long before she was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 26.  Now 30, she lives in Franklin, TN, and her life may be drastically changing due to her ongoing symptoms.

Tabitha’s Journey:  I say I was diagnosed at age 26 but the pain and other symptoms have been treated long before that. I’d say it all started at age 23. But the severe back pain started 2 years ago. In the thoracic region around my T8 and T9. It hurts so bad at times that it’s hard to straighten myself up. I have no diagnosis yet but drs say there’s nothing wrong with my spine as far as anything herrniated and no slipped disks. So what else can it be?

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Share Your Story : Lauren

| Bloomin' Uterus
black and white photo of a glamourous woman in a gown and wearing diamond jewelry

Lauren was diagnosed in 2011.   She has had ongoing battles with fertility, miscarriages, and a battle for disability benefits.  Her story is a heartbreaking one.

Lauren’s Journey: I first started going to South Jersey Fertility in February 2010, to help conceive a pregnancy. On August 4, 2011, I started to develop excruciating pelvic and abdominal pain. The pain was so bad, I had to go to the emergency room.

On September 16, 2011, I had a laparoscopy, which found classic endometriosis lesions of the left pelvic sidewall and a single band-like adhesion involving the right ovary to the uterus. There was a large peritioneal window under the right ovary. This is consistent with endometriosis.

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Share Your Story : Lisa

| Bloomin' Uterus
A red-headed pirate laughing and holding her tankard of ale

I realized that I’ve asked you to share your story, but haven’t actually put mine out there in one place (maybe a snippet here or there)….time to get everything out on paper so it leaves my head and heart (sorry it’s so loooooong…I couldn’t stop!).  I was diagnosed when I was 35 years old in 2014. 

My Journey:  I started my period when I was 12 or 13 years old.  I remember them hurting (but not as devastating as they have in my adult years), but figured it was normal.  I grew up hearing we were cursed because of Eve’s decision to sin, punished into pain and childbirth. I also heard that some of my family members had really painful periods. So again, it was normal. Classmates said they had cramps, too…so I figured mine were just normal. I became that girl in Junior High and High School that would walk around with a hoodie tied around her waist every month because I’d almost always overflow.  I had classmates come up to me during the really hard cramps, ask if I was okay, that I was white as a ghost and sweating…and I’d spend time curled up in the Nurse’s office after taking an Ibuprofen. But it was normal. Every girl went through this.  Right? My family physician had wanted me to go on birth control, but just to prevent “baby accidents” from happening, which I quickly dismissed since I had no intention of having sex. Little did I know BCP may have helped with the pain…

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Share Your Story : Ginny

| Bloomin' Uterus
A blonde woman smiling

Ginny was diagnosed when she was 31.  Now 37, Ginny lives in Arkansas with her wonderful husband.  Despite this happy ending, she continues to suffer from the pain and effects of Endometriosis, and continues ongoing treatment…and a hunt for answers.

Ginny’s Journey: My first hospitalization for severe abdominal pain happened at age 16. The intensity of the pain and internal bleeding had caused my blood pressure to drop to 70/30 and my body to go into shock. It was the first of many ER visits for similar symptoms but the only one taken seriously enough to admit me to the hospital overnight.

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Share Your Story : Mel

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Group of four women posing together for a photograph

Mel was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 21.  Now 28, Mel and her husband are hoping to expand their  family.

Mel’s Journey:  I was diagnosed and have had two surgeries since. Now trying to conceive seems harder then ever and about to go through IVF. But I am also very lucky to have such a wonderful family and a supportive husband with a fur baby! =)

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Share Your Story : Tara

| Bloomin' Uterus
Text that reads Endometriosis has no real face. I am its face.

Tara was 24 when she was diagnosed with Endometriosis.  Now 32 years old, she shares her experience with us…

Tara’s Journey: I am sick. I am chronic illness. I am not curable. I am angry. I am scared. I am pain. I am draining. I am sad. I am a fighter. I am strong. I am weak. I believe. I hope. I dream. I wish. I love. I suffer. I struggle. I laugh. I cry. I scream. I am mad. I am endometriosis.

Endometriosis has changed my life in more ways than I could ever possibly explain. It has ripped away part of me and has destroyed many of my hopes and dreams. I feel like an alien is living inside my body. I am no longer in control of my future. Endometriosis owns me. It holds ownership to one of the biggest dreams I have ever held. It has taken away my right as a woman to bare a child. It has left me hopeless, resentful, angry, confused, and scared, scared to death that one day it may take my life. No endometriosis cannot kill me, I understand that but it can cause things that can.

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Share your Story : Aubree

| Bloomin' Uterus
A woman with brown hair sitting cross-legged in a park

Aubree was 29 when she was diagnosed with Endometriosis.  Now 33, she lives in Colorado and has found not only acceptance of her disease, but peace.  And she’s found her healing through self-love and a natural holistic approach.  She has even written a book about her journey and her path to inner-peace and healing.

Aubree’s Journey: I suffered with extremely painful periods from the very beginning. I complained about them for years to my doctors, but nobody really paid them much attention. One of my family doctors prescribed me Ibuprofen, but this didn’t touch the pain.

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