Mal Has Endometriosis • 10.28.21

Strap in, because we've been on a wild ride for the past few years. It's time to talk about everything Mal has been going through, and what's next.

⌛️TIME MACHINE ⌛️
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FOLLOW STEPHEN:

FOLLOW MAL:

#Endometriosis #Endo #Health

[fcxkuvy]

remember to always ask for an itemized bill from a hospital. it'll breakdown everything you're paying for explicitly.. hospitals overcharge for things like napkins, toilet paper, water, they might even double charge your hospital stay. they'll most likely remove all the unfair charges if you ask for an itemized bill because they know they're wrong for doing so and expect not to get caught taking advantage of people.

[SwiftSweeper]

UPDATE: Mal’s surgery was a success! She’s in recovery now and really thankful for all of the well wishes and positive messages! 💛💛🎉

[elypso_]

I hope this vlog helps de-stigmatize talking about women's health. A lot of women get told to brush off pain but it could be worse than people think, which is why it's important to talk about it. Hope things get better Mal ❤

[PressLP]

Jeez, the American healthcare is such a mess of a system. To sit there and debate whether or not to go to ER if it's a false alarm is just sickening. Makes me realise how lucky I am to have been under the NHS (UK healthcare). Although of course there are things like private doctors/clinics etc.

Hopefully the surgery goes well and everything works out Mal! Sending you both all the good vibes possible!

[TennelleFlowers]

All my support and love goes out to you, Mal. <3 It’s heartbreaking to hear what you’ve been going through and that you’ve been dealing with this for so long. I hate our healthcare system so much. The fact that you did everything by the book (even when professionals advised you to shortcut steps) and still got hand waved away is infuriating. It takes a lot of strength and perseverance to do that when you’re also dealing with pain (and the crappy healthcare system we have that could easily drain the hope from the most optimistic people)
You both have had to go through a lot of heartache with this but I’m glad Mal is getting surgery soon. Wishing you nothing but the smoothest of surgeries and recovery <3

[AlanCS]

I am so sorry about your medical condition Mal. Glad to see it hasn’t stopped you from doing what you do best.

[radiodread]

Knowing you were going to reveal this on the vlog before Tuesday, and watching Mal's latest painting videos... I just gained a _lot_ more admiration and respect for Mal and I didn't think it was possible because of how much I already admire and respect you, Mal. But it just hit me with how you, in the full version, said that you had been sort of just wanting to be done with this painting and that's why you weren't talking as much for this painting as you've done for past ones—now it makes sense because of what's coming up next. I mean, I'm a patron of Stephen's and have been for a few years now, so I've known about this whole thing since you first shared it with us. But just connecting the dots of that Akkala painting and the pain you've been suffering with for as long as you have, how it just gets worse and worse... Mal, you are _such_ a strong person. I really mean that.

I understand and get bad period cramps. They can be really bad, yeah. But from what I've heard about endo, that's just... I mean, period cramps are practically a walk in the park in comparison. I can't imagine being in that situation, but just seeing how you've been on the vlog, on streams, in your own videos... it has never, _ever_ been even vaguely hinted at, at least for me (despite knowing) that you were actively suffering from endometriosis. Not only that but knowing the struggles you've both gone through with the insurance battle back and forth for so long, the patience that sort of stuff requires is something I admire in the both of you. I know I don't have it myself.

The best, best of luck with the surgery, Mal, and all of the good vibes for a speedy and as painless of a recovery as possible. ❤

[mr.nerd.]

You guys are some of the nicest, honest, and most wholesome people that I have ever seen. You both deserve WAY BETTER than what the past two years have given you. I may never be able to truly understand what you two have gone through, but it just makes me respect you all the more. I sincerely wish you the absolute best of luck on the rest of this journey.

[missnintendochick]

My best friend was diagnosed with a bladder disorder when she was in college. A lot of doctors dismissed her pain as "just an infection" and that she was just making up stuff. The pain was so bad for her that she wanted to die.

Hearing mals story about trying to be diagnosed for endometriosis and told its nothing reminded me of that. No one should ever feel like their pain is considered nothing. Because you know best how you feel and if you suspect something is wrong, you get answers.

[IcyCreamStar]

I have always respected you both in so many ways throughout the years, but this news elevated that respect to the next degree. Mal, you're such a strong, dedicated woman for battling this awful condition for so many years. Stephen, I can't imagine how many times you've felt helpless as you've watched your wife suffer. Now, there's some light at the end of that long, depressing tunnel. We're all here behind you both. From woman to woman -- you've got this, Mal!

[Wormst]

I also have endometriosis, and my pain keeps me from doing a lot of daily activities-- having a partner with you helps a ton!

It's really nice to see you two talking about it, I never really see anyone touch upon the condition outside of the doctor's office.

I know you two will make it through the roughest days together, you make a great team <3

[SiberianNinja-Jin]

Listening to this frustrated me on how bad this country is with medical and insurance issues. Good lord, I'm sorry y'all had to deal with all that and I wish you all the best that the surgery goes well. Hang in there you two & good vibes! ❤❤❤

[HyperCole]

God, our healthcare system is just... fucked. This is heartbreaking to watch. I'm glad Mal is finally gonna get the care she needs. But to spend THAT LONG to get to this point just to get denied coverage in the end is absolutely heinous. Wishing you both the best. ♥

[lampsshine]

I love how you normalize female health problems. So many people are afraid to talk about them like there “gross” and shouldn’t be discussed publicly like other health problems. Amazing video, I wish Mal the best.

[leafalie]

Thank you.

My whole life it’s been “just a bad period” and “bad cramps”. I finally convinced my mom to bring me to the doctor when she found me on the basement floor just lying there crying.

I got put on birth control, and that one worked for about a year and a half. but each month was worse than the last until finally I couldn’t take it. I had taken 1600mg of ibuprofen, 800mg acetaminophen, and whatever 4 naproxen is. None of it helped and I had to leave work. My mom actually gave me tramadol that we had left over from when our dog was sick and that finally helped lmao

I’m on a different birth control now, and so far it’s going okay, but I’m terrified it’ll just slowly stop working again. I hate our medical system and how I can’t just know it’ll be okay to go get surgery if I need to. My eldest sister just got hit with a $15, 000 PER MONTH bill (for 20 years) because she almost died of covid. It’s insane.

Anyway, thank you so much for sharing. It’s incredibly validating to hear someone else talk about how terrible women’s health care is and how it isn’t always just a bad period. Best of vibes ❤️

[catherinedefreitas]

My God, the doctor brushing you off 😑 I have PCOS and I cannot tell you how many doctors brushed me off too. Women's health is so taboo partially because of these horrible healthcare providers that just do not care or know how to care. It's exhausting to endure.

EDIT: now that I've watched the entire vlog, I will be praying for a successful surgery Mal! You're strong and I know you'll make it through!

[misomizuki]

I was diagnosed with endometriosis in March. It wasn't on my radar. I suspected it, but wasn't 100% sure. I went to the ER in March for what I thought was UC pain. They then told me appendix is inflamed, let's do surgery. When the surgeon was removing my appendix he found cysts that confirm endometriosis. I was devastated because my husband and I were trying for our first child since Jan. While recovering it was the endo on my mind, not my appendix incisions or recovery. They also found a cyst the size of a small walnut on my right ovary. I spoke to my ob/gyn and she said the severity of endometriosis varies woman to woman and doesn't necessarily mean infertility. Despite the pain and discomfort I found out I was pregnant in June and am expecting a baby boy on Valentine's Day. The best take away from this video is to always advocate for yourself as a patient, because unfortunately insurance and some Dr's (fortunately not my Dr's at least) don't always have your best interest at heart. Good luck to Mal for surgery and I hope her quality of life improves. I know what it's like to have a disease affect how you live your life vs how you want to live your life.

[annmariesecreti]

I can’t decide what I hate more: the fact that it was this difficult to get your surgery or the fact that I’m not surprised at all. I’m so thankful your surgery went well after everything.

[casualmusicnerd]

I had heard this story as it was developing through the patreon posts, but that doesn’t make this vlog any less heartbreaking. I wish both of you all my best wishes in the upcoming surgery. I appreciate both of you, especially Mal, for making this video. I’m hopefully it will help people who might be in a similar situation!

[kattystock]

I'm only 35 minutes in to this vlog but I have to say, as someone who has Canadian health insurance, that gosh the politicians say "who will cover universal health care?" The answer is that medical care will be so much less expensive because doctors won't have to bill time to sending 4 letters per patient about the need for care. When things are mostly just covered you don't need letters saying why this doctor over this one. I see a doctor in Alberta because the one in my home town was awful for moderate/severe Crohn's disease and it's 5 hours closer to get surgery in Alberta than to stay in BC if I need it. I really wish Mal well in her journey, I'll continue watching but I honestly hope nothing but the best health for you both coming up. Being sick sucks... being chronically ill is a huge mental and physical weight that I wouldn't wish on anybody. <3