After my trip to San Fran yesterday, I feel compelled to tell you a story today. I promise that I will be back soon with a curriculum-related post and a freebie that will be oh so useful. However, today I am going to reveal a little painful piece about me. I am pretty open about most things in my life, but this is one that I wear close to my heart and have trouble sharing unless specifically asked. My goal in doing this is NOT for pity, but to raise awareness, talk about an amazing event, and possibly generate bonds with others who share my secret.
For those of you who don’t know what endometriosis is, here is the quick 4-1-1. Endometriosis is a fairly common disorder which can cause disabling pelvic pain (during your period or throughout the entire month), infertility, and countless other symptoms – CLICK HERE to read more. It’s estimated that more than 175,000,000 women and girls from around the world have endometriosis.
I know that I have spoken to so many women in our own teacher bloggy world who also have this disease . . . it blows my mind. They all have such painful stories to share. Although I wouldn’t wish this on anyone, there is comfort in knowing that you are not alone.
I was diagnosed with Stage 5 endo in 2009 and have had multiple surgeries to try and rid my body of the disease. Unfortunately, I am just one of those women who produces the infected cells like crazy. It continues to plague me on a daily basis and it has put a serious damper on my aspirations to become a mother in the near future. Thankfully, I have the most amazing doctor in my life. Dr. Camran Nezhat is one of the leading specialists in the area of endometriosis (the leading in my book) and operates the Center for Special Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery at Stanford Hospital and Clinics in Palo Alto, CA. He has helped so many woman and girls during his tenure as an expert surgeon – many of which no longer suffer from symptoms.
During my appointment with him yesterday (he actually popped over to his office between surgeries to meet with me personally . . . this doctor is truly one of a kind), I found out about an amazing event he and his family have put together. The Million Woman March for Endometriosis is a worldwide mass demonstration that will take place in dozens of international capitals during next year’s Endometriosis Awareness Month. On Thursday, March 13, 2014 women are invited to meet at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to march together in an effort to raise awareness (click on the event link above to see other locations). I am really hoping to attend this amazing event . . . just gotta start working on the principal/super now 😉 I wanted to throw it out there well in advance to all you alls . . . maybe you are interested in marching too??
Before I “close the door” on today’s post, I do want to make an offer. If you suffer from endometriosis or suspect that you do, I am here to listen and/or answer any questions that you may have (kelleydolling@gmail.com). Endo can make you feel like your overreacting, that it’s all in your head, or that you aren’t being “tough” enough. Well, you are NOT {insert put down here}. I promise. It is a horrible thing to have to deal with and from one woman to another . . . there is hope. I still believe it.
Alright, that’s it for me today. I am off to work on a new pack before hitting up the salon. Thanks for sticking with me today. I know this was a pretty personal post. Hugs y’all.
Kelley,
Thanks for sharing your story with us and helping raise awareness. You have no idea how many people you may reach or inspire with just one post! Keep brave and strong. Prayers for you and all those suffering with endometriosis.
Jeannine
Creative Lesson Cafe
Thanks so much for your sweet note. I almost chickened out on writing this one . . . it's nice to know I just may make a difference. Hugs 🙂
Love you! Such an awful thing to stuffer from!
Girl . . . sisters in pain Call on me any time you need a friend to listen or just to drop a #@^& or two 😉 I love you right back.
While I do not suffer from this form of infertility, my husband and I tried for close to 4 years to have child of our own. Infertility is the worse — and ours was for unknown reason–completely heart breaking to go for years without a positive test.
We were finally blessed w/ twins in 2008. I hope that you can get it under control. I am thankful that you are breaking the silence. Its a horrible thing to harbor alone.
Hugs to you….
Thank you for sharing Sarah. Infertility is devastating and SO many go through it. I had no idea until all this started going down. Most women are so tight-lipped about troubles or miscarriages and we suffer in silence. I am so happy that your persistence paid off. I still believe.
Thank you Kelley for posting about this. I also have endometriosis and we are going into year 6 trying to have kids. In fact, I have another appt next week with an infertility doc. It gets old…but I know that God has a plan for me…one day I'll be a mom.
And you are right…there is hope.
Nicki
Mrs. Thigpen's Kindergarten
Oh, Nicki. It's stories like these that just kill me. We have only been trying for about two and a half years and it seems like FOREVER . . . I can't even begin to imagine six. Big hugs to you and your husband. If you ever need to talk, gripe, or cry on an "understanding" shoulder, please look me up!
Thanks Kelley. I appreciate it and same to you. It's not something that everyone understands that's for sure.
Thanks Kelley. I appreciate it and same to you. It's not something that everyone understands that's for sure.
Love you, Kelley. My heart hurts for you and all the other women suffering from endometriosis.
XOXOXOXOXOXO . . . Thanks darlin'.
Love you, sweet friend. My heart hurts for you as well and even though I do not suffer from endometriosis, I am always here to listen. Big hugs to you. {I will start planning to march!!} 🙂
Kelly . . . I can't tell you how much your note means to me. Thanks for the love 🙂
God Bless you for sharing and offering other women a place to feel heard. I feel you on the agony and anticipation of a positive pregnancy result. I like a few women who commented before me am TTC and trying to stay positive in God's plan for my life. I thank you for sharing and giving me wind to fly over this last "not this month" hurdle. I wish you the best of luck and pray your surgeon rocks it out.
Charlotte . . . sending you a big cyber hug. Those tests with that pink minus sign are an absolute killer. If you need anything, please look me up!
Thanks for sharing your story! My sisters suffered from this terrible disease. In our family it skipped every other girl. I was one it skipped, but all were able to have children and that is my prayer for you and your family.
Maria
Thank you so much for taking the time to write. It means a ton.
Love you 🙁 Kelley.
Love you, friend.
You already know I love you, but I also admire you so much!! Praying for you and that future baby!!
Ms. Plant . . . the feeling is 100 percent mutual. Love you to the moon and back!
My dear Kelley,
God has a beautiful plan for each of our lives. There are moments (many) when it doesn't seem like a beautiful plan, but when we look back we can say, "Oh, now I get it!" I was never able to have children because my uterus was filled with cysts. Now I look back and I see how much I learned and grew from what I went through. You are a beautiful person – you are such a positive role model for all of us. God is using you to minister to all of us. Take care and continue to trust in his plan.
Love to you,
Camille
Thank you so much for your love! Big hugs to you.
Hi Kelley,
My Mum had a hysterectomy to have her uterus removed at 32 because of endo and my sister (who is 26) is now about to go through the same process. The excruciating pain that they have both been through physically and emotionally has been hard for them and our family to bear but they are two of the strongest people I know and have come back fighting. Your strength in dealing with this and being brave enough to write about it must be inspiring for your friends and family, who I am sure are helping you fight this all of the way. These 'teaching' blogs are better when we write with our hearts and share some of our personal journey's as well. You are a fighter and an inspiration,
xx Bec
Bec . . . I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share about your family and for the kind words. It breaks my heart to hear about a 26 year old having to have a hysterectomy. That's much to heavy for a woman her age to have to deal with 🙁 Hugs to you.
Thanks for sharing "our" story Kelley!! I, too, suffer from advanced stage 4 endometriosis! I know how painful it can be emotionally, physically and mentally. My heart feels your pain and loves you all the more!! When I meet you one day…I am going to give you a great BIG hug!!
Annie . . . thanks for speaking up. You were one of the people I thought most about when typing up this post. I heart you to the moon and back!
My sweet friend, you have always been such a generous blogger! This post just proves it more! Prayers for you and your precious family to come!!
Love to you!
Laura
Thanks Laura . . . you made my day.
I am fairly new to blogging, but have been following you for a couple of weeks and have loved your materials and your blogs. I especially loved your blog yesterday. I suffered with this for years before it even had the name for it. Now my daughter has also suffered for years with this painful disease. Being a cancer survivor, I know how important it is to take a stand against something terrible and make it public. Thank you for your strength and for feeling you could share it with all of us who admire you so much. My prayers are with you, but hope that just know how many people share your pain, both literally and figuratively. Stay Strong.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. It's not always easy to share stuff like this, but it helps to talk about it with people who understand. It floors me how many people I personally know that suffer from this disease . . . which means it is everywhere. It's so sad. However, there is safety and hope when we stand together 🙂 Thanks again for speaking up. Hugs to you!
Thank you for posting this, Kelley! I too suffer from endometriosis. I am in pain almost every day now. I have no insurance and cannot work. I am still fighting, though. Praying for more awareness of this disease for future generations. Prayers for you too!
Thank you for posting this, Kelley! I too suffer from endometriosis. I am in pain almost every day now. I have no insurance and cannot work. I am still fighting, though. Praying for more awareness of this disease for future generations. Prayers for you too!