What are your endometriosis symptoms like?
7 days before my period it was like clockwork stabbing pains in my stomach.
What was your journey to diagnosis like?
I would cry every month, doctors told me the pain was in my head. I was 18 when it began. At 22, I found a doctor that would listen and had me tested
What has your experience with treatment for endometriosis been?
I lived on pain meds for years, my husband even end up learning how to give me needles. I tried every treatment that would give me relief. You name it , I tried it. I begged at 35 for a hysterectomy because my husband left me because he could not deal with it. I begged and cried again at 40 until the doctor would give me a radical surgery to remove.
How does endometriosis affect your day-to-day life?
It’s not easy, I would express it as tiny blood pustules that would burst inside my stomach. I never had any quality of life to enjoy daily activities.
How does endometriosis affect your emotional well-being?
Suicidal, at a point in my life I was fine leaving this life because I was already living in my own hell.
How have you found hope and support in your endometriosis journey?
The journey is long and decision to have a child or no child is a tough one . I had one child and struggled to raise her on my own , after my husband said he couldn’t l handle the illness. Your family, friends or in my case my daughter kept me going .
What do you think healthcare for endometriosis in Canada should look like?
Support groups, more knowledge to women and doctors. News and ads about the illness with health Canada.
What do you think it is important for people to know about the experience of having endometriosis in Canada?
It will not kill you, but must be treated so that you have a quality of life.