lymph-node

Share Your Story: Chenille

| Bloomin' Uterus
Woman in yellow shirt and sunglasses

Diagnosed at 32 years old, Chenille shares her Endometriosis journey with us today, four years later. She’s had a total of seven surgeries for Endometriosis, including a hysterectomy and recurrent Endometriosis. And she has recently started seeing an immunologist. Hopefully this new course of treatment leads to long-lasting relief! Chenilles is sharing her story in the hopes that she can talk to others that have seen a similar journey of aggressive recurrent endometriosis.

Chenille’s JOURNEY:  

I have had a long, long journey that seems like it will never come to an end. When I was first diagnosed with stage 4 endo I was experiencing very painful, heavy menstrual cycles. Within 2 years and after 2 surgeries I had a complete hysterectomy.

I thought my battle was over. Boy was I wrong.

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Inguinal Hernia & Endometriosis

| Bloomin' Uterus
Inguinal canal in female courtesy of https://www.slideshare.net/vernonpashi/surgical-anatomy-of-the-inguinal-canal

Recently, a study hit my inbox about Endometriosis mimicking an inguinal hernia. So, of course, my interest was piqued and research had to take place! Be warned, though, it’s considered VERY rare. In all the literature I’ve read, only 42 cases have been referenced as being documented inguinal Endo. But when has rarity stopped me from sharing something about Endometriosis? Yeah. Never. Here we go!

What is AN inguinal hernia?

An inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia (about 70% of hernias are inguinal) and usually manifests as a small lump in the groin area. Both men and women can get inguinal hernias, but it’s apparently more common in men. It occurs if there’s a small hole in your abdominal cavity which allows fat or intestines to seep through, which can a lump or swelling to occur.

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Dry Body Brushing

| Bloomin' Uterus
dry brush
Dry body brush with massage nubs

So last night I read about this thing called “body brushing.”  I rolled my eyes, scoffed, and moved on.  Woke up this morning full of curiosity about it and asked my fellow EndoWarriors if any of them have heard about it.  99.9% of those that responded LOVE body brushing!

What is body brushing? It’s running a dry bristle brush lightly across the surface of your skin, in a particular order and direction.  Not only will it slough off old skin bits, but it’s *supposed* to increase circulation and help unclutter our lymphatic systems.  Which is all good for us. What’s a lymphatic system? Observe below:

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