The Endo Of My Life

by Courtney Mahony

I couldn't help but questions

A divorce from my own health

Trapped inside my house to find

the true meaning of wealth

A "Thanks" goes to my doctor

For making me aware

The endometriosis was diagnosed

Before I ripped out my own hair

A "Thanks" goes to my cat

For never leaving my side

When you knock over my plants again

You don't even have to hide

A "Thanks" goes to my mother

You call 1000x per day

Unless your hungry or hormonal

You know exactly what to say

A "Thanks" goes to my father

You found the best treatment for my pain

Flowers and new music mixes

Enjoyed by us and Mary Jane

A "Thanks" goes to my crush

Your kisses helped me unwind

I didn't say I was in pain

Wait.. was one thing on your mind?

A "Thanks" goes to my coworker

You made me laugh when I wanted to cry

Playing Tomb Raider in the parking deck

Ninjas can't even kick as high

A "Thanks" goes to my boss

Four weeks off for surgery

I won't ever fake being sick

Next time it's 80 and sunny

A "Thanks" goes to my cousin

You always told me what to do

Then we both got this disease

I think you shared your cooties too

A "Thanks" goes to my neighbor

A friendly hello to brighten my day

You haven't even called the cops

For the nightly DJ sets I play

A "Thanks" goes to my friend

The time pain kept me from nightlife

You weren't mad to waste your makeup

If we were gay you'd be my wife

A "Thanks" goes to my grandmas

For always telling me "I can"

Lets laugh about our aches and pains

The biggest jokes about our man

A big "Thanks" goes to God

For this invisible disease

You're the only one I love enough

To get down on my knees

Thanks for taking the time to read my poem and I hope you found it humorous. Jokes aside, I am having my second surgery tomorrow due to Endometriosis.  This disease effects more than 5 million in North America alone, yet the average diagnosis is 8 years. The most common symptom is pelvic pain, and fatigue often overlooked until the endometriosis has spread to other organs. 

Imagine being sick for 8 years, and not knowing why....

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The Facts

Endometriosis refers to a condition in which endometrial tissue that normally lines the uterus is found in other areas of the body. It may appear on or near the reproductive organs or within the abdominal cavity. When it appears, it causes inflammation, often accompanied by adhesions that form to help the body heal from the inflammation. Adhesions from endometriosis can join organs and structures with strong glue-like bonds that can last a lifetime.

Where It's Found

• Ovaries
• The outside surface of the uterus
• Fallopian tubes
• Ligaments supporting the uterus
• Internal region between the rectum and the vagina
• Lining of the pelvic cavity
• Intestines
• Bowels
• Chest/Lungs
• Brain

Symptoms

No two women experience the same symptoms. Some women may feel perfectly fine, while other's cannot resume their daily activities. Poorly understood, the severity of the disease does not correlate with the amount of pain. Sever pain is likely due to the result of tissue growth developing its own blood and nerve supply

• Pain before and during periods
• Fatigue
• Low back pain
• Pain after eating
• Heavy and/or irregular periods
• Pain with intercourse
• Urgency to urinate
• Chronic/daily pelvic pain
• Infertility
• leg pain
• Chemical Sensitivities
• Anxiety
• Headaches
• Low grade fevers
• Depression
• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
• Diarrhoea
• Susceptibility to infections, allergies
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (100 times more common in women with endometriosis)
• ME Hypothyroidism - under-active Thyroid gland (7 times more common in women with endometriosis)
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatoid arthritis