Living With A Chronic Illness: Endometriosis

“I felt like I had to make up for the fact that I was broken.”

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I Can Dream
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Trails
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FEATURING

Lara Parker

STILLS

Endometriosis of the Fallopian Tube (Luminal Pattern) / Wikimedia Commons

SOURCES

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[MrsJessiKins]

My sister has Endometriosis, and let me tell you, it does get better. For around 5 years she had to go through several IVF's because she couldn't have a baby naturally. She now has a daugher, with her boyfriend of 14 years, who is one year old and she is expecting another. To anyone reading this who suffers from Endometriosis, it does get better. Stay strong.

[wiscovirgo]

girls with normal periods who don't have endometriosis will tell me that I'm just being dramatic and that there's no way "being on your period can make you infertile " & it's just so frustrating because it's like I really wish you knew. Endometriosis is a legitimate thing. Women who have it aren't just being "whiny". We are in excruciating pain vast majority of the time, I guarantee you.

[karenamanda]

I've had several surgeries because of endometriosis. Each time the tissue grew back, usually in about 3-6 months. I used to miss work every month because of it. Many times I'd have to use my vacation days just because the pain and/or bleeding was so horribly bad. Women would ask me why I didn't have children, or just outright tell me I was selfish for not having any. I pretend that I hate children because it helps me to cope with not being able to have them. Now, I'm in my late 50's and I still have residual pain from the endometriosis. Be nice to childless women. You never know why they are childless, AND it's not your business.

[rachaelburkinshaw]

So good to see Buzzfeed raising awareness for chronic illness

[marcenam]

I have both endometriosis and PCOS. I was diagnosed at 17 with pos and at 20 with endometriosis. The pain is indescribable and absolutely effects every aspect of my life. The loneliness that accompanies it is just as painful. I too often feel broken and depressed or angry. This video nearly brought me to tears and I really appreciate that it was made and uploaded.
We're still beautiful, we're still women, and we are still worthy. We just need to be reminded sometimes.
Thanks again

[michaelaltawil]

176 million women have this? That's like half of America? Why is no one funding research for a cure?

[naturoppa]

Its' the worst pain you can possibly go through. It literally affects daily activities. You feel so nauseous, the pain when going to the bathroom, you feel like passing out, and you also have a risk of being infertile in the future. I don't wish this upon my worst enemy.

[celobean]

Great video. Seriously hope this becomes a series. Chronic illnesses are invisible to all but the closest friends and family of the sufferer. Sure, they're not often life-threatening but they seriously compromise your life and no one should be make to feel guilty because they 'don't have something worse'. I feel like I've lost a large part of my teens to a rare autoimmune disease but the worst part is other people's lack of understanding. Chronic illnesses - like mental illnesses - are invisible, so the least we can all do is be kind to strangers as you never truly know what someone's going through!

[crystalb.-atexaninaz]

I had my ovaries removed at 29 and a total hysterectomy 2 years later - I was never able to have children. I feel so bad for the girl in this video. The quote above, "I felt like I had to make up for the fact that I was broken" is something I have said hundreds of times since then. I am so sorry that other women have ever had to go through this.

[brookepage]

I was diagnosed with Endo about 2 years ago, so when I was 15 years old. This video means a lot, thank you💖

[hayleysmith]

My mum has endometriosis and has always hid it from us about how bad it was but being at uni and having to study it for my degree I'm starting to realise just how much pain she could be in without telling us and she still does everything she can before running herself down.

I have so much respect for you it is unbelievable what you go through and how well you deal with it is inspirational! 

[abbyisyummy]

I have this, in a week and a half I'm getting surgery and a d & c for it. I just want the pain gone, finally someone sheds some light on this. I'm SOO tired of men telling me it's just a bad period and that I'm fine. No, this shit is real pain.

[maxdondada]

Your certainly not broken, you just have a unique challenge.

[katemoreno]

"i was letting people treat me like dirt because i felt like i had to makeup for the fact that i was broken" wow that hit me really hard honestly on how true and relatable that is...

[kimplaysstuff]

More videos about Chronic Illness please! I live with CFS/ME and Fibro and it would be great to know that it's being talked about more!

[LittleLottieLorah]

I suffer with this and fibromyalgia can you do one one fribro next? Nobody seems to understand the physical pain I go though. Being a single mother to an autistic toddler is slowly killing me. thank you for uploading this <3 

[amelialouisa]

I also live with a chronic illness. The worst part for me is the isolation and loneliness it can cause. I've been home bound for 3 weeks this round. I can't drive, I'm tired, I can feel my mood shifting to a more depressed state. I have my beautiful dog next to me and I'm guilt ridden I can't even summon the energy to get her to the park or for some adventure. This comes and goes with the territory but some days it catches up to you emotionally. All I can say is cherish your health. When you have no control over how your body will work for you, you become a prisoner to yourself. Sorry for all those suffering. :(

[madeleinerohese]

I just found out I had endometriosis, I'm 13. It is effecting me even now, I burst into tears today just because of the pain.

[BabyShawol]

I saw this video years ago and realized I had the same symptoms. I didn't really think too much about it until a few years passed and my symptoms got worse. I started exploring with my doctor and I remembered this video and that's when my endometriosis journey began. After years of being invalidated, I had my surgery yesterday and I have never felt better! If it was not for this video I would not know the term "endometriosis". I wouldn't have fought to be heard. I wouldn't know what was wrong with me! Say what you want about BuzzFeed, but this video saved my life!

[marli]

They thought I had endometriosis as a teen, but while they've never ruled out the possibility altogether, they think most of my pain is from poly cystic ovarian syndrome. They said that I have the markers for someone who could develop endometriosis, but that I haven't shown any tissue development outside of my uterus yet. I've always had terribly painful periods, often length ones (on 14 days, off 14 days), heavy bleeding. I've had cysts rupture. I've had an early miscarriage. I've had terrible hormonal swings that led to weight gain, depression, mood swings, and other health issues. And now I have pre-cancerous cells on my cervix that they're hoping will spontaneously heal without intervention. But...I'm still here. We all have our battles and our crosses to bare. Never think you're alone. There is someone out there going through the same pain as you.