Kate Bollard

Endometriosis

This is the face of someone who has Endometriosis, I have Endometriosis.

I was diagnosed in June 2018 after laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery. I had what was thought to be a 2cm mass growing on my uterus wall but turned out to be a 10cm mass that was pre-cancerous and Endometriosis. Crazy hey!!!

Since I was a teen and flow came to town, I have always hated my monthly cycle. I thought is was normal. I thought bloating and intense pain was what we all went through as a woman. I didn’t realise it’s not that normal to be in pain and have cramps outside of our monthly visitor. I never really questioned it, I just got on with the joys of being a woman. I hated every month, wishing it would never happen this month. How sad, having your period is a blessing if we really want to think about it. Some women due to illness or issues don’t have it and wish they could to bare children. I am so very grateful but at the same time, I now understand my body and who I am now. I understand my new normal, and that we aren’t all the same and we should watch for signs from our body telling us something is up.

So what is Endometriosis:
Endometriosis, pronounced end-o-me-tree-oh-sis (or just endo) is a progressive, chronic condition where cells similar to those that line the uterus (the endometrium) are found in other parts of the body.
Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond pelvic organs.

Studies suggest that endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, with an estimated 176 million women worldwide having the condition.

Fast forward 10months, I had my first surgery and was diagnosed. I’m a Jean Hailes patient, I like the clinic, the gyno surgeon I have and the team. I think it comes down to a gut feeling when you sit with a specialist and clinic. Pre-surgery and post-surgery I changed my whole lifestyle. Food, drink, movement. Any of my friends or family will say I’m officially the most annoying person to cook for. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free. I am basic food. I don’t have sugar unless its a treat, I don’t drink unless its a special occasion and its usually one drink if any. The better I look after myself, the better I feel. I now understand how my body is my temple BS people use to say or you are what you eat. I know exactly what is going on with my body or why I feel like crap. Usually, it’s cause I ate a treat that my stomachs reacted too. But it feels great to listen to my body and understand when I need some self care.

I’ve gone from moments like these :

To surgery:

To being me:

So why am I sharing my story?
March is Endometriosis awareness month. It’s a time to share stories and grow more awareness of our condition. It makes you feel like you are not alone.
Head over to Endometriosis Australia  to donate, help or attend an event.
The work and awareness they do for women is amazing.
KB X


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