My Endo Journey

Hi, I'm Lindsey, I am 21 years old, and if it's not obvious, I have endometriosis.

I got my period at 12 years old and began noticing I wasn't like everyone else fairly quickly. Other girls were wearing thin pads and panty liners for a full day of school, I was wearing super plus tampons and nighttime pads just to attend math class. But this was only the beginning.

14 days later what I was always taught was going to be 7, was over, and I was finally free from the shackles of Aunt Flo. What a relief, or so I thought. A week later she was back in town. I began talking to my friends, but none could relate. Why?

I spent a lot of time confused about why I was different. Months went by and things only got worst. The pain was so bad medication became useless, and I bled so much that I became anemic. I ruined every pair of pants I owned that school year.

You may be wondering “Why didn't she just go to the doctor?”. Well, growing up in the Bible belt with a traditional family, anything involving birth control? Out of the question. By this point, my periods, and just every day now, were unbearable. I was now 13 trying to find out how to get birth control of any kind behind my parent's backs. I was missing so much school and began struggling. Everything that could fall apart for an 8th grader, was.

I went through another school year with no relief. Graduated middle school, and was ready to cramp my way through high school. Did I mention I also, have to do marching band? As much as I didn't like it, high school marching band is the reason I finally got to go to the doctor - you see, marching is a bigger sport than you will ever know (unless you've done it) and you HAVE to be in your best shape. I wasn't and it became a problem.

From my very first appointment at age 14 the big word “endometriosis” was thrown around and birth control pills were shoved down my throat. In a bigger picture, I am lucky to even hear the word that young at a first appointment, but that luck didn't last.

After being heard by someone, my doctor retired, and my new one believed he was unprofessional for telling me that at my age. She kept me on birth control, and nothing came from it anymore. I was told if it was endo, birth control cured it.

I went embarrassingly too long believing that, if that isn't shown well enough.

In May 2022 I randomly got a UTI, although they aren't uncommon, it was uncommon for me. I went through months with UTI symptoms and no UTI. Deep down I knew, but the birth control, right? I'm cured? I stayed in denial.

August rolled around and that's when every symptom hit me in full force. I knew it was time to go see a new doctor. That is where my journey began. By December I finally, after almost a 10-year fight, got my consultation for surgery. My next chapter begins on January 4th, 2023.

Surgery day!!! On the 4th I had my first diagnostic laparoscopic surgery done. I did this at my local hospital/women's center, and like many other stories: nothing was found. I was heartbroken. Although I knew this was more than likely going to be

the result, It was hard to hear. That didn't stop me though, I knew deep down there was more to this. I had my appointment set up for later in the month with a specialist. I was ready to get these photos back and kick this mysterious cause of pain in the ass. Not finding anything fueled me. I knew this wasn't just in my head. I was going to get to the bottom of this.

Friday, January 27th, I met with the specialist. It was long-awaited, but I made it. During my visit, we did 1 ultrasound and 2 pelvic exams. I have been through so many of these at this point, I didn’t know what to expect.

During my ultrasound, they found a cyst on my left ovary and a nodule on my rectum. I had been going to doctors since May of 2022... Where was this information? I was blown away, I couldn't believe it. My left ovary specifically had been a trouble area this whole time, my G.I. Symptoms started making sense, I was getting fueled again. I knew this was it. Diagnosis or not, I'm getting answers today. I just know it.

I met with more nurses and the care I got was astronomical. I had never been treated so well. The number of times I thanked God in this 60-minute appointment was insane, haha. Everything was coming together. I met the specialist finally, we went over everything, and I got a treatment plan. I did it.

The morning I saw it in front of me, my diagnosis. Although this (just being straightforward) sucks, I couldn't help but cry tears of joy. I did it, and I am so proud of myself. This victory has been way overdue. My diagnosis doesn't

mean this is the end though. This is just the beginning. During this journey so far, I have learned so much. My biggest lesson/question: Your doctor might be nice, but are they educated?

Endometriosis aside, I went for almost a year with multiple doctors and ultrasounds. I had no idea I had a cyst or anything wrong with me. I went almost 9 months with a missed ovarian cyst and nodule on my rectum. That truly should be unacceptable. With my symptoms and constant appointments, one of those should've been found. Imagine how many women there are like me in my county alone. It is a sad thought.

1 in 10 women will suffer from endometriosis. It takes an average of 7.5 - 10 years to receive a diagnosis. This is a problem. I am 1 in 10. It is time we stand up for the women still fighting to receive their diagnoses. It is time we stand up for the women who are struggling with “a bad period”. It is time we take endometriosis and women's health seriously.