56 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com Thus, at last, my mother spoke up after she had been digging for the past few years to find answers on simple Google searches. She landed on the term “endometriosis” and asked my doctor, ‘Could it be this?’ She informed us that it could, but that we would have to do a laparoscopic procedure to see if endometriosis was present. Sure enough, it was! My pelvis was, in her own words, “studded with it,” and it was embedded into my pelvic wall. I heard the words “chronic illness” for the very first time; I will never forget realizing that I was that 1 in 10 being diagnosed. I'm a believer though, and where God gives pain, he also gives purpose. While this journey is never over as endometriosis has no cure, there are treatments and options including lifestyle changes to help maintain it. A handy heating pad, trusted endometriosis surgeon and a solid support system who respects your lifestyle changes and journey is key to getting through this first part of diagnosis. Endometriosis has not been heavily researched, funded or even respected in the medical community, and it is one that has many (including me) to fight to change the narrative. In past decades, a hysterectomy has been said to cure endometriosis. However, recent history has shown this to be incorrect. Also, as technology advances, we can progress and provide better patient outcomes and provide honest reporting and data collecting to see the patterns over decades. Pain can subside post-surgery and it is recommended to find a trusted endocertified surgeon to do a lap then excision surgery to remove the tissue as much as possible. Endo also can fuse organs together — I think of it as a “sticky tissue” where it can travel throughout your body and stick to other organs. It has been found on every organ including the bladder, brain, lungs and, more recently, the eyes (ocular endo). Endometriosis is a full body condition with tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus that grows outside of the uterus. It can affect vision, energy and memory, and can cause consistent pain across the body, food intolerances or “triggers” as we call them, and diseases and disorders including lupus and PCOS. It is not quite known yet why endometriosis occurs in some women and not others. Regardless of income, status and zip code, endometriosis has and can affect anyone with a uterus. Doing yoga or eating cleanly will not cure it but will certainly help you manage the bloating, pain and fatigue that comes with it. If you are dealing with unique and confusing health issues and your story sounds similar to mine, you are not alone, and my heart goes out to you. Please listen to your body and fight for answers. We have lost many in our endo community through mental struggles with this physical pain and to the condition itself. Endo complicates your total body day to day and thus can result in death. Several years ago we actually lost the very founder of our Facebook global endo group to complications from endometriosis. This is a very serious invisible illness and one that needs to be discussed more. Awareness can save lives and fertility! For those who have endo, I am honestly proud to say I am part of an unfortunate group of wonderful people fighting for answers, better patient treatment and outcomes and to bring knowledge (because it is power) and funding for a cure. #EndoWarriors To learn more, please reach out to me at jeanne.ann.everett@gmail.com to keep the conversation going and hear about what I did next to help my body, suggested by doctors in Charleston and across this country who specialize in endo and help us fight this fight against chronic illness. health & wellness Now Open in Mount Pleasant Daniel Island Nexton North Charleston Knightsville
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