The Beginning of the End(o)

When I was going to college I decided that my passion was found while helping seniors, whether independent seniors to remain in their own homes, or the seniors experiencing cognitive decline towards the end of their life. While this work CAN be very rewarding (although sometimes rarely), it is also quite taxing. It is very emotional to be involved with people during the hardest part, and likely the end, of their lives.

For the past few years while dealing with my own health problems (endo), it has completely taken my passion from me. It is nearly impossible to feel so physically miserable myself that to go to work everyday and worry about everybody else's needs. This lack of physical comfort or even medicinal relief has turned me into the hardened, cynical social worker that I had vowed to not let myself become.

I have only worked in my current position for 3 1/2 years and am already miles past burnt out. With not feeling good phsyically, or emotionally, most of the time, my career lifespan already feels spent.

The quote that I think expresses this the most is:

“Endometriosis affects women during the prime years of their lives, a time when they should be finishing an education, starting and maintaining a career, building relationships and perhaps have a family. For these women to have their productivity affected, their quality of life compromised and their chances for starting a family reduced, is something society can no longer afford to ignore. It is time we see serious investment in preventing this debilitating condition in the next generation of women”,
- Dr Stephen Kennedy, WERF trustee


Until endometriosis started affecting my daily life so severely I saw myself doing this for the rest of my life, and happily so; however, unfortunately with the turn things have taken I can barely see myself doing this tomorrow even!!

Well, off to work on my Promoting Mental Health and Preventing Senior Suicide presentation for tomrrow's staff meeting.

And just because my cat is the cutest thing I've ever seen and he makes me feel a little better, thought I'd attach his little mug here!! :)

Hugs to all my endo friends!!!!! :)

Doctor Appointment This Afternoon. . .

As much as I am looking forward to seeing my doctor this afternoon, there is still some anxiety. Generally lately doctor appointments don't end with good news... I am excited to see this doctor because she was the one originally who came up with endo as being a possible and probable diagnosis, and I haven't seen her since I had my endo surgery (I had a laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and ablation) earlier this year. I am however, not looking forward to telling her that I do not feel that much better... I have been doing a lot of research so we shall see what she thinks, but it will be nice to get back to a doctor whom actually listens to me and seems to care about how I'm feeling (so sad that that has become such a novel concept in the field of medicine!!!).

Anywho, I found the following quote about endo, and I think that this is the only quote that actually can encompass the effect of endo on those who suffer with it!!

“Endometriosis affects women during the prime years of their lives, a time when they should be finishing an education, starting and maintaining a career, building relationships and perhaps have a family. For these women to have their productivity affected, their quality of life compromised and their chances for starting a family reduced, is something society can no longer afford to ignore. It is time we see serious investment in preventing this debilitating condition in the next generation of women”,
- Dr Stephen Kennedy, WERF trustee

Also I found this quote, as a food for thought thing, to throw out there... I think its interesting, and possibly what we must do when we with endo grow sick and tired, of being sick and tired:

The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it.
- Roseanne Barr

Most of the doctors I have seen have had their concern for my health very low on their priority list, which is curoius, so I wonder how is it that we take control of our own health story and experience??

I think the below picture shows how I feel about my own health experience thus far...

Sending hugs out there to my endo sisters!!! :) ♥ ♥ ♥

The Only Effective Treatment of Endo Thus Far. . .

Well, it is very hard while dealing with endo to stay positive, nothing seems to take the pain away. How quickly I forget that I do have something that works as an anesthetic and most definitely as a distraction. It is not something that was recommended by my doctor(s), or anybody else for that matter. Something I have always had, well for 7 years, and something that is uber intelligent and knows just how to make me feel better :)

Of course I'm talking about my cat, Tink. He is 28 beautiful pounds of glorious cat. He loves to snuggle his mommy and luckily with all of that weight, he is the perfect hot water bottle for when the cramps become overwhelming!

Here is Tink when I first got him, on my 21st birthday! He was so cute! We are very connected and yes, cuddling with him is something that is way more potent than any of the medications or suggestions I have tried.

Not only does cuddling with my precious baby ease my physical discomfort, it also serves as a means to get out of myself for a bit...

So, here's to my baby! :) And I'm hopeful that several other endo-sisters have got furry little animal lovers at home, so relish in their love and attention.

Here's a quote for thought for today:

The most important thing in illness is never to lose heart.  ~Nikolai Lenin



Food for Thought Friday

I woke up this morning in excruciating cramps after a long long night of putting on and taking off my sweater due to awful hot flashes. I am so tired of living like this. It is so hard to go on like this, day after day.




I was thinking that I would post an inspirational quote on here, for others and myself, and stumbled upon one of my favorite quotes ever:


The I in illness is isolation, and the crucial letters in wellness are we.  ~Author unknown, as quoted in Mimi Guarneri, The Heart Speaks: A Cardiologist Reveals the Secret Language of Healing


I think this quote is definitely good food for thought. . . I think the entire health industry needs to take this quote to heart!!!

 I hope everyone has a fabulous, minimally-endo-affected weekend!!!! Let's hear it for less cramps and hot flashes!

The Beginning

There is such silence and avoidance when it comes to Endometriosis. . . It was during a conversation with an endo-sister that we discussed the need for a Revolution to take place in terms of getting more knowledge and support readily available to those afflicted with Endo.

Hopefully this blog will be a small step in that direction.