UPDATED FEB 2020. Today I’m posting something a little different. I have Endometriosis. Now, I know sharing something like this is a stray from the usual posts but I felt a strong urge to share. Mostly for the simple reason that when I was going through the diagnosis and researching how to manage the illness, I found stories from others incredibly helpful. More helpful than doctors to be quite honest. Knowing I wasn’t alone and learning from others about how they manage the illness was both comforting and useful. In today’s post, I just want to talk about it and about adventuring with Endometriosis. I strongly believe it doesn’t have to stop you from living a full life.
Adventuring With Endometriosis – Because It Doesn’t Have To Stop You!
Don’t judge a book by its cover
For me, the last couple of years have been really tough health-wise. You probably wouldn’t be able to tell this from my Instagram profile or even from talking to me for that matter.
I don’t like to let it control me, whinge or burden others with my pain so for the most part I just smile and keep it to myself. The smile hides the fact that I am chronically ill.
I have been in what seemed like a marathon battle each and every day for a number of years now.
I underwent test, after test, after scan, after test and had Dr’s treating me like I was a crazy woman in my efforts to try and find what was wrong with me.
Finally, my recent surgery gave me an official diagnosis of Endometriosis. (Side note that the Dr’s also thought there is another illness at play with my health issues and I need more testing to find out what else is wrong, but one battle at a time right?!)
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What it’s like to live with Endometriosis
If you don’t know much about the illness, it is a condition where tissue that should be living in your uterus decides to pack up and move house.
It goes to live elsewhere in the body causing pain and an array of other uncomfortable symptoms as well as leading to fertility issues.
There is no cure for the disease.
This means that the best you can do is learn to manage your symptoms and smile away the pain.
Diagnosing an invisible illness
One of the main issues with Endometriosis is the difficulty to get a diagnosis.
Many going undiagnosed for that reason. I know that for me personally, it was a long battle to get a diagnosis and I had to fight for it.
It can be difficult for Dr’s because the symptoms can be similar to so many other health issues.
Once you present them with your symptoms it begins a long process of elimination.
On top of this, it can also be hard to get taken seriously by some doctors.
I recall at one appointment I recapped a year and a half worth of symptoms and tests to my doctor in America. She gave me a stool softener and told me to be on my way with a complete disregard for everything I had just told her.
I had similar appointments with different doctors over the years before ultimately having to demand diagnostic surgery.
I’m certainly not the only one who went through a process like this and I know that some people have to fight for even longer than I did. I think it’s important that we get this conversation going to increase awareness for both doctors and patients.
Do any of you guys have Endometriosis?
If you do, then you probably know that some (or most) days, it is hard enough to get through the day.
Going out on an adventure would feel like a marathon. Hell, sometimes it is a big enough struggle to get myself dressed and ready for an adventure.
It’s a drain being ill all the time. In my opinion, the worst part is that on the outside you look normal, don’t you? All the while there is a constant war being waged on your insides making the simplest things suddenly very challenging.
Adventuring with Endometriosis is certainly not easy, however, it is one of my coping strategies.
Why adventuring with Endometriosis is important
Venturing out and about in the great outdoors always makes me feel better – especially being in the ocean.
Not only is it my happy place, but perhaps the buoyancy helps to take away my heavy, bloated feeling for a little while as I float through the saltwater.
I’m also lucky to have a great group of friends who go out adventuring with me. They never get frustrated with me if I am tired, less talkative or swim slower when I am sick.
For this, I am very grateful. Good people are worth more than their weight in gold.
For me, adventuring is better than all the medication sitting on top of my fridge that I refuse to take. Nature is my medicine. When I am adventuring, I feel young and happy instead of being a 27-year-old who feels like an 85-year-old!
Find something to help you cope
The reason I am writing this ramble is for the fellow Endo warriors. I hope you find something you love that helps you cope with this horrible illness.
Find what helps to give you a break from the day to day struggle. Then make sure it is a part of your life.
The diets and medication help but having that special thing, whatever it is, that gives you an escape from your illness needs to be a part of your life. It can be so hard to function in everyday life with a chronic illness.
I know this all too well. But I hope you keep on keeping on and live life to the fullest.
Endometriosis might slow you down, but don’t let it stop you.
Adventuring with Endometriosis is one of my coping mechanisms
You deserve an escape.
This is my number one tip for dealing with Endometriosis.
If you don’t want Endometriosis to stop you living to the fullest, download my free one month of affirmations for travelers with Endometriosis and reclaim your power.
Other posts on living with Endometriosis
Traveling With Endometriosis – How To Have Chronically Awesome Vacations
Tips For Living With Endometriosis – 5 Tips To Overcome The Challenges
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Hey there, I have discovered that I have endo too while I was on my RTW trip 1.5 year ago. How are you doing now? What helped?
Aloha! I’m doing good, it’s certainly no fun having Endo but I manage it as best I can, listen to my body when it needs rest and try to focus on the positive things. I eat very little meat, dairy, starch and processed foods which has helped a lot. Thanks for stopping by and all the best!