Pain in the Rear Endo: March 2018

Saturday, March 31, 2018

1 in 10

Welcome to the final recap of my social media posts for Endometriosis Awareness Month 2018! Today we look at day 31 of The Endo Photo Challenge 2018 and the "1 in 10" posts I did for a different Endo Awareness Month challenge from The Endometriosis Coalition.

Day 31: Statistic

#1in10 women have #endometriosis. That is A LOT of people - approximately 176 MILLION worldwide! Why does it take an average of 7 years for people to be diagnosed when it is as common as #asthma and #diabetes?

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#1in10 women live with #Endometriosis, an estimated 176 million worldwide. But, it doesn’t just affect those of us who have it. It affects everyone around us. The #EndoChallenge from The Endometriosis Coalition started today! What does #1in10 look like to you?

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#1in10 women live with #Endometriosis, an estimated 176 million worldwide. But, it doesn’t just affect those of us who have it. It affects everyone around us.

This is my second little blessing - now 7. She has been praying for mommy to be pain-free since she could talk. I try to protect her from seeing me at my worst, but I have been dealing with pain from #endo her entire life.

The #EndoChallenge from The Endometriosis Coalition started on March 1! What does #1in10 look like to you?

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18 years ago right now, like literally at this time in the evening, this handsome man walked up to me in a little hole-in-the-wall bar called the Underpass in Hasbrouck Heights, NJ and asked me if I was a #DeadHead. We were both there to see a local #GratefulDead cover band, #AvalonBallroom. He worked with a few of the band members and I liked the Dead. I had broken up with someone earlier that day so my evening plans had been cancelled. The rest is history...

He has been by my side through EVERYTHING this relentless disease has sent my way. He has been both Mom and Dad to our kids when I’ve been laid out. He has taken care of me recovering from countless surgeries, procedures, treatments, etc. He knows what it’s like to live with the #1in10 and he loves me unconditionally and has never made me feel like a burden. He supports me in all of my endeavors. I am blessed beyond belief to be going through life with him.

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Want to see them all? Follow me on social media at:

Facebook:

facebook.com/painintherearendo

facebook.com/theendoalliance

Twitter:

Instagram:

The Endo Photo Challenge 2018: Days 26-30

Welcome back to our walk-through recap of my social media posts for The Endo Photo Challenge 2018. Today, we look at days 26-30!

Day 26: Advice for Other EndoSisters

These are four bits of wisdom and #truth that I have clung to over the years. It took me some time to give myself permission to be ill on days where I really had no choice. I would beat myself up - tell myself I was a horrible #wife, #mother, #employee, #friend... When you have a #chronicillness you can’t worry about what others think. You just have to focus on the people who love you and accept you...flaws, strengths, limitations, good days and bad.

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Day 27: Support Network

I didn't post on this day because I had already shared about my favorite support network on Day 22. MyEndometriosisTeam.com is a platform that I wish I had known about back when I was first diagnosed. Through connections made on this support network for people suffering with #endometriosis, I have found #support, #friendship, #physicians, #physical therapists, suggestions on medications and therapies to ask my providers about. I have been inspired to begin the process of starting a non-profit to assist endo sisters in receiving the financial resources they need to access skilled endometriosis excision. To say that it has been invaluable would be an understatement.

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Day 28: Favorite Place to Be

#Hotel rooms: Many years ago, I totally offended my very best friend by telling her that her brand new condo-like apartment looked like a hotel room. I truly meant it as a compliment and I felt horrible that she got upset. Honestly, I LOVE staying in hotels...even more so now that I have kids and have had years of being bed-ridden - here’s why:
1. It means I am traveling which is my most most favorite thing to do!!!
2. It means I am traveling and therefore not laid up with my #endometriosis.
3. I love the clean and new feeling of a hotel room (obviously in a reputable hotel). It is something I am unable to duplicate at home and even less so now that I have kids leaving their crap all over my bedroom and bathroom at home.
4. Although I am surrounded by an eclectic array of things at home, I truly do appreciate the minimalist look of a hotel room...simple and sleek...it’s very de-stressing to me - like sleeping in a yoga studio.
5. I have made a lot of amazing memories in my various travels throughout my life and so to me, a hotel room signifies #goodtimes and new memories to be made.
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BONUS: You don’t have to make your own bed! Now, if only I could bring my Tempur-Pedic mattress with me to each one...

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Day 29: #Selfie

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Day 30: Breakfast

I know this may be controversial coming from a health and wellness coach, but I don't usually eat before 11am. I practice daily #intermittentfasting and usually only eat between 11am and 7pm. Calorically, I still consume three meals, but I keep them between those hours. My standard "breakfast" consists of #bulletproof #coffee - #organic dark roast coffee blended with #coconutoil and #grassfedbutter.