One Year...

The date February 24, 2016 is a day that I will never forget. It was the day I got my Endo surgery. It was exactly one year ago from today. I can't believe a whole year has passed! At this time last year the amazing doctors at Boston Children's Hospital were performing my surgery. This year I have had a significant less amount of pain than I did last year. I do have my flare ups at time, but overall, getting that surgery was the best decision I have ever made. I haven't had to be miserable everyday like I was last year.  I remember walking into that hospital last year being so nervous and hoping that the surgery would actually help me. I thought I would go through the whole process with no outcome. Luckily, I was wrong.  I started seeing results about three days after the surgery when I was starting to heal. I would recommend this surgery to absolutely every woman with Endometriosis (you can see my post about the surgery process for more information).  In reflecting on this past year, I have realized that I have been very lucky pain wise. Like I said before, I have bad flare ups at points, but those are nothing compared to the stabbing pain I was feeling every single day in 2015. Now, it has turned to a dull ache that I have everyday. It's manageable. That is all I'm looking for. I have learned that I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life. I find ways to push through the hard days like surrounding myself with people who love and support me. I know they won't see this, but I would like to thank my world renowned doctors at Boston Children's Hospital for helping me through this tough time. I will never forget the day February 24, 2016.

Endo and Life Update

Sorry I have been away for a while, but it has been a busy time for me so today I am going to be giving you all a little life update.  Tomorrow my high school drama production opens and of course, my friend randomly showed up two days ago.  I have not had a lot of pain for a while so this was a surprise to me. So here is a little story for you all.  I walked on stage two days ago during the run of our show and all of a sudden a wave of awful pain came over me.  I didn't know what to do because we were already half way through the scene.  I decided to keep going and then do the dance to the song that followed the scene. (This was not the best decision on my part).  After the song was over, I got of the stage as fast as I could and fell on the ground because I couldn't make it any further. I felt like my legs were going to give out under me. So, I had to lay there, on the ground, for the rest of the night since I could barely move. Thanks to my amazing friends who stayed by my side the whole night, I was able to cope until we got to go home.  I don't know what I would have done without them.  When you can't do something you love because of the amount of pain you are in, that is the worst feeling in the whole world.  During that night, all I wanted to go was get back on that stage and finish the show with my cast but I couldn't, no matter how hard I tried.  Yesterday and today have been rough as well.  I tried so hard to do all the dances last night, but I was just in too much pain. Today we had a snow day and I've been resting a lot so hopefully I will be better to perform tomorrow.  But what I have learned through this week is that, when life throws an obstacle your way, you just have to do the best you can to just keep going. I know that tomorrow I will be as well as I can be to perform. I just have to keep telling myself that Endo is NOT the end!

Focus On Your Finals, Not Your Pain

This week is the week that all high school students dread; finals week.  The one thing that is worse than finals, is having Endo pain during finals.  This year I was very lucky to not have pain during finals (so far), but all week I can't help thinking about what I felt last year during this week.  Last year I had to face finals when I had the absolute worst pain.  I would get so distracted and couldn't even think.  This year, I am so thankful that it wasn't a repeat of last year.  This year I have been able to focus on the actual exam and not how much pain I was in.  Studying has been a lot easier and I am not as freaked out as I was last year.  So, here are some tips for finals with Endo pain:

1. Try not to get too stressed out.  Just breathe and relax.
2. Go slow, just study for one class at a time.
3. When taking the exam, read the directions carefully. 
4. Study with friends so they can help distract you.
5. Make study guides.
6. Create a study binder for all your classes so you have all your study information in one place.
7. Ask your teachers for as much help as they can give you.
8. Remember, it's not the end of the world, just try your best!

New Year, Less Pain...Hopefully

Another year has come and gone and there is still no cure for Endo.  This could be discouraging, but for me, I know there will be one very soon.  2016 was a year of many ups and downs for me and my Endo.  Instead of focusing on the negative things about my Endo this year, I decided to make a list of all the positive things that happened with my Endo this year.

1. I went to Boston Children's Hospital and got to talk with my world renowned doctor to discuss the pain I was having.
2. The doctor I spoke to said he would say I almost definitely had Endo.
3. I got my first laparoscopic surgery to diagnose and temporarily destroy my Endometriosis.
4. I was almost completely pain free for a couple of months.
5. I have only had a couple of big flair ups since February when I got my surgery.
6. I am now able to have fun and not be miserable all the time.
7. I am able to participate in fun family activities that I was not able to before.
8. I do not have to text my parents everyday saying I need to come home from school.
9. I can say "yes" to a lot more activities with my friends. 
10. I have had an amazing support system of friends and family to help me through this difficult journey.

It is a new year which means a fresh start for all of us.  Leave the pain and the struggling in 2016, this year is going to be way better for all of you!  I am positive that this year people will know more about Endometriosis and researchers will be even closer to finding a cure for all of us.  Do not give up because this year WILL be better! Always remember, Endo is NOT the end!

GET THE SURGERY!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you are having a happy and healthy holiday season.  In my last post I said I would give more information about the Endometriosis Laparoscopic surgery.  Getting this surgery is the only way to officially diagnose Endometriosis. I got the surgery almost a year ago now at Boston Children's Hospital.  Before the surgery, I was in so much pain everyday, now after the surgery, I only have a few days a month where I am in a lot of pain.  It is an easy surgery.  It is same day surgery, so you can go home a couple hours after it is done.  The doctors make two small 5 millimeter incisions.  One inside the bellybutton and the other just below the abdomen. The incisions leave a small scar, but nothing extremely noticeable.  The recovery only takes about three to four days, maybe longer depending on the person.  The second day I was in a lot of pain from the doctors probing the inside of my stomach.  Also when they do this surgery, the doctors pump your stomach with gas in order to see inside more clearly.  For females, in order for the gas to release, it has to travel up through your body and is released through the shoulders.  I would not say this part is painful, but it is definitely uncomfortable. Overall, the surgery helped my pain so much!  I one hundred percent would recommend getting it. The doctors were able to find a lot of Endo, then they were able to get rid of it.  Just remember, this surgery is not a cure, but it is the closest to a cure so far.  If you have anymore questions, feel free to leave them in the comments.  I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and remember, Endo is NOT the end!!

Frequently Asked Questions About Endo

Q: Why have I never heard about Endometriosis?

A: Endometriosis is a disease that effects 10% of women, but no one seems to talk about it. The truth is, there is not a lot of information about this disease but researchers are working, as you are reading this, to find an answer.

Q: How much does it hurt?

A: There is no way to describe the pain we are in everyday.  There is no way for anyone to understand what we go through and that is why people need to start talking about it more.

Q: Is there a cure for Endometriosis?
A: At the present time, there is no cure for Endo but there are long term treatments such as the birth control pill.  This pill does not take away the pain, but it regulates it so it is not as bad as it could be.

Q: Can't you just get out of your bed?

A: The truth is, some days I cannot and that is just the reality of having Endo. Some days are worse than others and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Q: Will it get better?

A: Although I want to say yes to this question, I can't.  It probably will not get better and that is just something I have to live with.

Q: Why does it look like you are fine?

A: Endometriosis is an "invisible" disease meaning women who have it tend not to show how they are really feeling on the inside.

Q: How can I learn more about Endometriosis?

A: I have useful links down below that you can click on to read.

Q: How do you handle the pain?
A: It is really hard most of the time, but I try my best to do everything I can.  The thing that helps me the most is lying down and using my heating pad. If you have Endo, a heating pad is an essential item.

Q: What are the symptoms of Endometriosis?
A: The main symptom of Endo is pelvic pain, typically during a woman's menstrual cycle. There are other symptoms as well such as headaches, fatigue, body aches, etc.

Q: Would you recommend the Laparoscopic surgery? 

A: I would 100% recommend the surgery. Although it does not cure Endo, it helps immensely. It is an easy same day surgery and a short recovery. So if you have Endo and have not gotten this surgery, I would definitely research it.  I will be making a post about it soon so  I can share more information about it.

Ladies, Don't Let Endo Ruin Your Holiday Season

So, the holidays are coming up as you all know, this can be some of the hardest times to have Endo. Everyone is suppose to be happy and joyous but how are you supposed to do that if you have pain all the time? At least for me, my pain always comes at the absolute worst times and I just have to push through. During the holidays is one of  those times. I remember last year during the holidays, before I was diagnosed, I had a miserable time. My family celebrates Christmas and it is my favorite time of the year! Listening to Christmas music, driving around looking at lights, going ice skating, going shopping for gifts, ecetera are things I love to do. This season only comes one time a year and when you're in pain, you just feel like it's ruined. But don't worry ladies, even if you're in pain, you can still have fun during the holiday season. Here are some tips: don't go overboard with the sweets. The sugar can cause inflammation which might cause you're Endo to start hurting. Wear comfortable clothing so there's nothing pressing up against your stomach causing it to hurt. Finally, distract yourself by having fun with your family and friends. Don't ruin your holiday season by thinking you cannot leave the house. I hope you all have a happy and healthy holiday season! Thank you for reading and remember, Endo is NOT the end!