Living With Endometriosis

The title is quite self explanatory although I’m going to dive into the deep end on this topic. So get your snorkels out, folks. 

Living with endometriosis is… difficult. And personally, I think that’s the perfect way to state what it is like to wake up every morning not knowing what is going to happen. Sure, us ladies with endometriosis can try to control what we have - some of us with great success. We can still go on trips, walk around feeling as normal as possible and still catch up with friends to see a movie or have a girls night. However, some of us aren’t so lucky. What is especially difficult about this condition is its inconsistency. One day you can be perfectly fine, no pain whatsoever and as happy as can be. The next day it could be the complete opposite. It will be a ‘lay in bed and don't even think about moving’ day. What is even more frustrating is the fact that even on a great day, pain can come along within milliseconds and your day is somewhat screwed. 

But us endo sisters take the punches as they come. We try and control this pain as much as we can with pain killers, diet, positive thinking, specialist visits and the support that we have around us. It is so important that when we are out in public, we have a back up plan just in case something goes wrong and we get a pain attack/flare up. We always have a bag which has our pain killers in it. And we can’t be too far away from the nearest hospital. If we travel, health care and where the nearest medical facility is, is of the upmost importance. Come to think of it, endometriosis defines every aspect of my life. Everything that I do, endometriosis is a factor in there somehow. I cuddle my cat but - nope she can’t lay on my stomach right now. Going for a driving lesson but having to make sure to take pain killers beforehand so nothing happens while I am driving. It’s all inclusive.

I wish for the day when my daily cramps subside, and I have the ability to go out and not be paranoid about what my body has in store for me. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of things/people to cut out of my life but my health comes first, and so does my happiness. Keeping positive is such a hard thing to do when you have a chronic illness but its so important. And keeping positive people around you is also important. As is letting go of the people who constantly bring you down. Keep the supportive people around you - let go of the ones who don’t and take you for granted. Another aspect of living with a chronic illness is having to explain to people why you can’t do certain things, or why you need to cancel plans at the last minute. I have come across people who completely understand. Either because someone they know also has a chronic illness or they just get it, and take your word for it. Others, not so much. They lose contact with you, or find no interest in your company anymore. And that is what you take as part of having endometriosis. 

On the positive side of it - endometriosis filters people for me. It shows me the people who care, the people who don’t, and the people who pretend to care when they need something from you. And that’s just life. Endometriosis has showed me what is important in my life right now, and to be straightforward and honest. Lots of people see me as being incredibly blunt and brutal. And I’m proud of that. It has taught me to stand up for myself when it really matters and counts. It has thickened my skin. Yes, I have scars from surgery. But it’s a daily reminder every day that I’m a fighter. I came into this world with clear skin. Assessing what my skin is like now, I can see that I have lived in my short 20 years on this world. I’ve loved, hurt, laughed, cried and been through every emotion possible. Endometriosis has matured me far beyond my years, and has given me the strength to let things go. It’s given me the opportunity to look at people around me from a different perspective. And for that, I’m extremely thankful.

I feel like there are so many things to explain about living with endometriosis and it can’t all be covered in one blog post so it’s something I can touch back on in the future. Thank you for reading this you lovely, beautiful people and I hope you are having a fabulous morning/day/night wherever you are!

Lots of love,

Brie xx