Those who are afflicted with Endometriosis will (without a doubt) learn a number of things throughout their lifetime. And depending on how severe their case is (whenever they’re finally diagnosed), some of those things can either make them stronger, wreak havoc on their lives, or both. Here’s a brief list of what Endometriosis has taught me:
E – Endurance.
I’ve learned to keep questioning and pushing the doctors for answers, pain relief, and treatment options that will get rid of my Endometriosis, completely. For many, this means traveling hours away from home to meet with a qualified specialist.
N – Never Settle.
I promised myself I’d never settle for a doctor who says he or she can no longer help me with my Endometriosis. And I taught myself to keep pushing for better treatment options, even if it meant going through 50 doctors before I found one who would listen to and address my symptoms.
D – Determined.
This chronic disease has taught me to keep reaching for my goals and long-term plans no matter how much pain and interference Endometriosis causes in my professional, personal, and social life.
O – Overwhelmed.
Receiving a diagnosis only to be told there is no cure in the same breath caused me to be overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed with information, anger, and sadness all at once. It took some time to process.
M – Medical Terminology.
As a result of my symptoms, I have learned tons of medical terminology in order to stay abreast of the most recent treatment strategies, which include pharmaceuticals, procedures, medical specialties, and surgeries.
E – ENDO Warriors.
Endo Warriors are women who refuse to let Endometriosis ruin their lives and they’re making strides in ridding the disease, sharing valuable information with others afflicted with the condition, and making an impact to millions of people worldwide by spreading the message of this disease without a cure.
T – Treatment.
“Treatment.” That’s a word we hear enough. . . There are various treatment methods out there. Most pharmaceutical treatments, however, are not offered to women who have already had a hysterectomy.
R – Resilience.
I have learned resilience and that each day is a new day (which could potentially mean less pain). Each day brings a new start and the motivation to make an impact and connect with someone else who is suffering from the same debilitating disease. Each day is what you make it. So if you let this disease tear you down, it absolutely will.
I – Independence.
This chronic illness has taught me to be an advocate for myself and to be independent with regard to how my health impacts me. Sometimes you will feel alone in this battle; you won’t always have someone who understands or even knows how much of a struggle it is to get through each day. And sometimes you’ll realize that the only person you have is you, and that’s okay.
O – Ownership.
While “ownership” may sound out of place here, owning this disease can also mean taking control of it – so it doesn’t take control of your life. This could mean proactively getting ahead of your symptoms before they wreak havoc on your work and personal life or noting any patterns you may experience.
S – Silence.
Most women who go undiagnosed suffer in silence and think that living with the debilitating pain of Endometriosis is how they are supposed to live their lives each and every day. Stop living in silence and start connecting with others who have this disease and take action against it.
I – Infertility.
Endometriosis has taught me that it’s powerful enough to leave not only me but others infertile without rhyme or reason, at any time. It’s taught me that sometimes, the only option to be somewhat pain-free is by having a hysterectomy and oophorectomy.
S – Strength.
I have also learned the amount of strength that one in 10 women have is enormous. One in 10 American women are formally diagnosed with Endometriosis.
Even so, there are countless women who have yet to be diagnosed, but still live with these debilitating symptoms daily because their doctor doesn’t believe the amount of pain that they’re in.
Whether you were diagnosed early in the process, or years later, just remember women with Endometriosis are true warriors and remarkable people who deserve so much more out of life.
This post was originally published on September 18, 2018 on DYE at https://doyouendo.com/13-things-living-with-endometriosis-has-taught-me/
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