Day in My Life

Today I wanted to share a day in my life. I think a lot of people wonder what life is like living with a chronic illness. Well, my life is probably very similar to yours, so this is a typical Tuesday for me...

1. Wake up at 7:30 
2. Get ready for the day
3. Make shake for breakfast
4. Go to work for 8:30 
5. Work at my awesome job for the President of my college
6. Go to my literature class 
7. Grab some lunch after class (normally a salad or sushi)
8. Do homework for a little bit or relax if I'm really tired or not feeling well
9. Go to my psychology class 
10. Do some more homework for a little bit 
11. Go to chapel choir rehearsal starting at 5
12. Get a quick sandwich with my friend before our a cappella rehearsal 
13. Have a cappella rehearsal for two hours 
14. Go back to my dorm
15. Get ready for bed
16. Go to sleep (I like to get to bed early because I need a lot of sleep)

So there it is a typical Tuesday in the life of a busy college student with Endometriosis.

Easy Exercise Routine for Chronic Pain

Exercising is always something I have struggled with. I always get in a good routine, then have a flare-up and stop going to the gym. Recently I have been trying to balance college, work, extracurriculars, and exercise. So, I have created a mixture of high-intensity exercises mixed with yoga that I can do in my dorm room! If I can do this workout, then anyone can. You don't need any equipment except a yoga mat if you want one.

1. Warm-up: arm circles and 30 high knees 
2. Squats- 60 seconds
3. Donkey kicks- 60 seconds 
4. Push-ups- 60 seconds
5. Squat and side crunch- 60 seconds
6. Plank-ups- 60 seconds
7. Standing crossover toe touches- 60 seconds 
8. Cool-down: quad stretch- 30 seconds each side, rhomboid stretch- 30 seconds each side

Here is the link to the website explaining all these exercises:

https://dietprogram.club/8-minute-workout-before-bed-and-see-what-happens-in-a-month 

Below are 15 yoga poses you hold for one minute each as a good cool down and stretch after your workout. For all of the exercises and yoga poses, you can choose which ones to do if some are hard for you. You can always work up to the harder ones as you get more comfortable. If you have any questions, feel free to comment!

Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: Endometriosis is just a really heavy period.
Women with Endo may experience a really heavy period, but that is just one of the many symptoms.

Myth: Heavy bleeding means you have Endometriosis.
Again, it could be a sign someone has Endo, but it is not the only reason for heavy bleeding.

Myth: Extreme pain is normal during your period.
Extreme pain is NOT normal during your period, but many women are taught that it is. If you have extreme pain, you might want to talk to your doctor about Endo.

Myth: Young people cannot get Endometriosis.
This is completely false, I was diagnosed with Endo when I was 14. Yes, it is more common in older women, but that doesn't mean younger women can't have it.

Myth: It's all in your head.
IT'S NOT ALL IN YOUR HEAD AND DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT!!

Myth: The amount of Endometriosis you have corresponds with your pain level.
This is not true for Endo. Some women can have a lot of Endo but have no pain and are only diagnosed when she starts having infertility issues. On the other hand, one can have only a little bit on Endo and still experience extreme pain.

Myth: Something you did caused your Endometriosis.
Doctors don't know the cause of Endo yet, but they do know it runs in families.

Myth: Endometriosis means you cannot get pregnant.
This is not necessarily true if Endo is caught early enough, women are still able to get pregnant.

Myth: Pregnancy cures Endometriosis.
This is false because there is no cure to Endo. The only thing pregnancy does is eliminate one's period, so that could cause a little less pain than usual.

Myth: Hormonal treatment cures Endometriosis.
Again, there is no cure for Endo, but hormonal medications are used for treatment (meaning they can take away some of the pain, but not all of it).


https://www.webmd.com/women/endometriosis/myths-facts-endometriosis#2
http://endometriosis.org/resources/articles/myths/

Endo is Not Everything

Happy Endometriosis Awareness Month! Instead of giving you information I’ve already provided you with, I’m going to share 10 things I’ve done since being diagnosed with Endometriosis! Endo is not everything in any of our lives, we can still do anything we put on minds to, so here’s what I have done:
1. I performed in all four of my high school musicals! One of which was right after I got my surgery and another was extremely dance heavy and very hard on my body.
2. I performed in many shows outside of my school which all made me so happy because I got to do what I love!
3. I’ve spent lots of time with my wonderful family! They are the people who I know are always there for me no matter what.
4. I continued going to my favorite place in the world, my overnight theatre camp, every summer!
5. I continued to be successful in my academics even when I was in so much pain.
6. I continued to do my favorite thing (singing) almost every single day, and still do!
7. I’ve tried my best to make time for all my amazing friends (which isn’t always easy) who have been with me along this roller coaster of a journey. Thank you, you all know who you are.
8. I was accepted and committed to going to Stonehill  College!
9. I graduated high school!!
10. I started college in the fall and am now in my second semester and loving it! I also continue to sing there everyday apart of Stonehill’s all female a cappella group and their chapel choir!

Even though I have had many years of pain, all through high school and now college, it didn’t stop me from pushing through and doing the things I love and I’m so proud of myself for that! I courage all of you with Endometriosis to think back at all you’ve accomplished since your diagnosis to see how strong you all are! Happy Endometriosis Awareness Month everyone!