Welcome back to another instalment in The Endo Project! Today we are featuring Heather and her experience with Endometriosis and the fight to get proper care. 

Here’s what she had to say: 

“I’m more than Endo, even though it has changed me in ways I can’t even imagine myself. Four pelvic floor surgeries in 9 years, continuously living with uncertainty and wondering  if I will ever feel better. Wondering will I be able to work today? Can I make it to the dinner on the weekend? 

It started to create a lot of anxiety around travel and leaving the house, never knowing when a flare up is going to happen. How bad is it going to be? What if people see me? I even stopped doing sleepovers at my besties house. The confidence I had was so slowly slipping away. I would only stay in a hotel room with my mom so people wouldn’t see how much pain and suffering I was in. I was always wondering: will I have children of my own one day?  

My last surgery was an 8 hour excision removal of endometriosis and full hysterectomy where all my organs were attached to each other, making me look 6 months pregnant. 8 months later, I’m battling another mental warfare of trying to figure out life without hormones and balance HRT. It is a whole new set of challenges that nobody prepares you for. Being medically put into menopause has been very difficult and when you look in the mirror, you don’t recognize yourself anymore. 

Endometriosis has shaped my life in away I wouldn’t imagine for anyone. The amount of hours I’ve laid in bed not being able to move for 6-8 hours because the pain the was so intense. I often slept in my bathtub because it was the only place I could relax was in the warm water. The financial strain – when you can’t work. But you have business to run. Not being able to stand and barber all day. I lost all my 30’s – I lost the ability to have my own children, the level of emotional pain that  comes from being told you can’t have a family is grief all on its own.  This is mental warfare. It’s exhausting and extremely difficult.  The healing process is slow. It’s not linear: suffering for decades lead to depression, anxiety,  but I’ll still show up everyday and smile.

I was constantly being disappointed after doctor’s appointments and was handed birth control at 14 years old.  Countless trips to emergency to be told nothing is wrong with me.  I even had doctors me ask how many partners I’ve you been with!  Meanwhile I feel like I’m being electrocuted inside and stabbed with sharp objects, bleeding so heavily. I was told if you’re still in pain next month then come back.

When I was 18 I saw a bone specialist because my back and tailbone hurt so much… he told  me to do more ab exercises. When I finally asked my family doctor for a referral to a Gynaecologist his reply was “ what do you think she can do for you that I can’t?“ and well…. my response was “she specializes in vaginas and you don’t!” It took 2 years for KGH to call me.

My advice would be that you know your body the best. Listen to yourself, keep track of symptoms.  Food is so important. Good gut health helps with digestion and endo belly. Low inflammatory foods, limit alcohol consumption, eat lots of protein, and exercise movement is so important!Creating a healthy lifestyle and support system in key, talk to your family and friends. Chiropractic care, massage , weight training has helped me too. Get a good therapist. These have all been life savers for me. 

Most importantly never stop speaking your truth! And a gynaecologist isn’t an endometriosis specialist!” 

Thank you Heather for being a part of this project!!

A special shout out to Jennifer at Addison’s House of Hair for providing hair + makeup for these sessions 🙂

If you would like to participate in this project as well, or know anyone that is interested in sharing their story, you can find more info on THE ENDO PROJECT PAGE or CLICK HERE to get started.