'Its Not The Endo The World...'

What a week! Work has been crazy busy with the project I've been working on and with today being the deadline for some of the work, it was always going to be. Yesterday I worked from home due to pain and nausea. Well I have no time for that (!!) but I have learnt more so in the last year than ever that I have to listen to my body. But needless to say I refuse for it to stop me for too long so I was back in the office today. Been lucky to work with some good people on this project so at least theres some laughter to go with the work. And the hard work paid off. Today we finished the week on a high with a good result for the team. Not only did we finish on a high, it was my last full week of work until mid May. Lots of holiday and bank holidays coming up to make my working weeks shorter. Happy days! Now its time to relax and enjoy the weekend... hope you all do too! A x

Yesterday was a great day for Endometriosis. It made it into the UK news, with various channels covering the lack of awareness and knowledge for diagnosis. It made me proud to be a warrior. And then today I start to see some of the comments being left on the online articles. Messages from men saying its sexist and just another excuse for women. Other women saying just get a hysterectomy and be done with it and stop moaning. I literally couldn't believe my eyes. I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone. But I do wish those people could live a day in the life of someone in the middle of a flare up, and I'd like to see how they would cope. Its not something anyone can understand until they live with the pain. Use your brains. Have a little empathy. Don't judge something you could never understand. From one Endo sufferer to another, you are strong, and you should be proud of yourself. And whatever you do, don't listen to those fools. A x

I'm very lucky to have a supportive family and my Mum plays a big part in that. We all say how wonderful our Mums are. Especially when Mothers Day comes around. Facebook is full of messages of gratitude saying how much we appreciate them and all they do for us. And its no different with my Mum, so I thought I'd write a blog for her instead. To my Ma, When I was younger I always had the dream to have my own family and bring my children up the way you and Dad bought Laura and I up. We were always so fortunate growing up, visiting places that others weren't as lucky to go, doing things that others wanted to do. Having younger parents was always a massive bonus because we got to do all the cool fun stuff! We were lucky to have you around as much as we did. And still thats the same today. I don't know how I would get through all the trips to the hospital without you. The endless sitting around whist Mr W runs late for appointments. The days of my operations sitting by ...

When I decided to go public with my Endometriosis and Adenomyosis I was keen to show it not only from the negative side, but also the positive. I truly believe we can do anything and nothing should stop us. Not even a chronic disease. Remember that. A x

I read in so many forums about women asking about hysterectomies and whether they will help with the Endometriosis pain. I know I've posted previously about my situation and knowing that the end result will be a hysterectomy for me BUT this is not due to the Endometriosis. It is due to the Adenomyosis. Endometriosis is where the cells from inside the uterus appear and grow outside the womb. They still act in the same way as they would inside the uterus so each month they go through the process of swelling and shedding, i.e. a period. With nowhere to go, the blood builds up as scar tissue in the pelvic area and on other organs. Removing the womb will not stop this from happening! At the same time as a hysterectomy, you would also require the excision procedure to remove the Endo from other areas. If the surgeon doesn't get all the Endo, it will remain and still act in the same way as before. Sure for some women, they only require one excision operation and they may not nee...

I love this article from an Endo Husband. I thought it was particularly good at capturing the points about us Endo Warriors wanting to do things and sometimes just having to admit defeat. And also around when Endo visits, you just have to accept that some plans already made may not happen... Have a read at http://sarahmaree.com/endohusband/ A x

I've enjoyed the last couple of days. Thursday I had a trip out with my Mum to Chelmsford for some shopping and some lunch. Yesterday I spent chilling with my bestie, and today I've enjoyed cuddles on the sofa with Paws and Pebs. My pains been horrid today. Lots of low tummy pain, going into my right hip and thigh. I'm still tracking my worse days in my pain tracker app but theres not too much pattern so far. Bex and I made a pretty good red thai curry for dinner tonight. Nothing like a bit of home cooked comfort food to help. Hopefully the pain will ease for tomorrow so I can enjoy my last day off before heading back to busy work on Monday. Fingers crossed! A x

Let me start by saying I hate hospitals. Like really hate them. The smell as you walk through those front doors. The old cream coloured walls. The tired worn furniture from where hundreds of individuals have sat and waited for appointments or loved ones. And the beds. Oh the beds. They have always freaked me out. I don't know why but they send shivers down my spine. Now once I've got over the initial hatred of the hospital, I have to make my way to the gynaecology department which is right over the other side of the building. Typical. If it isn't enough that I'm dealing with the million voices telling me to head for the nearest exit, I get to the seating area and I'm sitting with pregnant women. Turns out the ultrasound areas are the same ones that are used for pregnancy scans! So there I am, sitting waiting to find out if I've got new cysts on my ovaries, whilst hearing the excited expectant mothers and their partners going through their pregnancy packs and w...

Today I saw the following article which is from the point of view of a husband with a wife struggling with Endometriosis. I found it a really interesting read. Us Endo warriors know it's not just us that this disease ends up effecting, but what he says around words meaning a lot, or the small things making a difference, really is true Have a read here A x

Wow. Just wow. I've hit 10,000 views on my blog! Thank you all so much for taking the time to read my posts. I hope it gives at least some of you some reassurance that you are not alone. And for those who read it who don't suffer with the disease, I hope it gives you some understanding of the disease. When I started this blog, I wasn't sure it was going to be worth it. But it absolutely is. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. A x

What a week! I haven't posted due to being pretty busy over the last few days. But its genuinely been a really good few days... I've been dreading my Advisor Milestone course in London since it was booked last year. I knew it was going to contain role play and I really couldn't think of anything worse. But it wasn't what I expected at all. Instead it was actually enjoyable. I got to meet new people from all over the world. Make new friends. And I actually smashed the role pay parts of the course! Not only that but I got to meet up with my old team leader for a coffee before the course both days. Its been tiring but I feel like I've achieved something. And now the course is done, it feels like I can actually start looking ahead, instead of dreading these two dates! My pain has been letting me know its not far away, I know my limits, I just have to stay within them rather than pushing myself too much. Thats why this weekend is gonna be nothing but relaxing. ...

Well I jinxed myself yesterday! Shortly after writing my blog last night, my pain got pretty intense and nausea came with it. Unfortunately, its continued into today. Which means my day has involved hugging a hot water bottle constantly. I always laughed at my sister for carrying her hot water bottle around and now here I am doing the same!! Luckily, my pain app has enabled me to see that it was 4 weeks ago when I had my last bad flare up. Really hoping it won't be the same considering that involved a hospital visit! Anyway tonight involves more painkillers and a night on the sofa in my joggers. Lets hope the pain holds at bay... A x

I'm not sure if it's just a coincidence, or whether I'm just having a good stretch but I'm feeling positive. The pain is there but not half as bad as it has been the last couple of months. My mood is on the up and I'm feeling optimistic about things. The only downside is my skin is breaking out since stopping the injections but I'm guessing that's my body getting used to those lovely hormones again. It's amazing when you have a period of time where you start to see your old self coming through after a dark painful time. It feels good. Like really good. Don't let Endometriosis take away your sparkle! A x

I haven't given an update recently on how I'm feeling now I'm no longer on the Prostap injections. Well Ladies, I was due my next injection last Tuesday and without it I'm pleased to report my Endo pain appears to be holding at bay. In fact I'm starting to sleep a little better and I'm starting to feel more like my old self again. What works for one person may not work for another. I was given the Prostap to help my pain, but for me it looks like it made it worse. I know we have to try these various medications and procedures. And yes it is trial and error, after all nothing is guaranteed to help. But no wonder this disease is such a rollercoaster ride! We get our hopes up when we hear that something may help ease the day to day struggle. And so when it doesn't work it makes it so much harder to stomach. Please don't let it it put you off though. We've all got to jump on that rollercoaster. Because one of those options may help us, even if it doe...

You'll notice this month that a lot more women will be trying to spread the word on Endometriosis. Why? Because March is Endometriosis Awareness month. So to fit in with this theme, todays post contains some of the top facts on the disease... 1) Endometriosis is pronounced as end-oh-me-tree-oh-sis 2) 1 in 10 women suffer with Endometriosis. In fact it is estimated that it affects 176 million women worldwide. 3) If you put those 176 million women together and formed a country, it would be the 8th largest country in the world. 4) There is no cure for Endometriosis. 5) The average diagnosis time for the disease is 7.5 years. That's a long time to be in pain without knowing why! 6) There are 4 stages of Endometriosis, ranging from mild to severe. These are graded on how infiltrated the disease is, where it is, and the amount of adhesions and cysts found. 7) Up to 50% of women who suffer with Endometriosis may experience infertility. 8) It is classed as an...