Johanna and Jack walk 4 Endo!
Johanna James is raising money for Endo Help Foundation Limited
Participants: Jack Jennings
Story
Hey TEAM!
This month is Walk 4 Endo month and Jack (best boyfriend ever) and I will be walking as much as we can, every day, to raise awareness for the debilitating disease known as Endometriosis.
I have always been fairly open about suffering with Endometriosis. This year was especially hard for me, after three emergency room visits in 10 days, 5 weeks of pain, tears, being bed bound and countless doctors telling me nothing was wrong... I finally went under for my 3rd laparoscopy surgery to remove Endometriosis tissue growing and also clear an infection they found in my uterus which was causing 5 weeks of hot and cold flushes, dizziness, fainting, vomiting, fatigue, high temperatures and A LOT of pain.
This led to being off work for around 2 and a half months (with no pay). My beautiful sister and mother to travel interstate to care for me whilst I was unable to leave the house by myself in fear of collapsing/fainting. In that period of time, even though I had so much love and support around me - I have never felt so isolated and alone in my entire life.
It's taken me 8 months to bounce back after the struggles and strain my body went through at the beginning of the year. I have since been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Disorder and extreme Anemia as a ripple effect of the exhaustion and strain that my immune system has gone through (for 12 years). I have finally only recently reached a point where I feel human again. YAY me!
As a woman who suffers and has suffered for such a long period of time, it's definitely easier to wake up each morning and put on a brave face that gets you through. The extent of suffering is only clear to the women who suffers, it tends to feel like no one else could possibly ever understand the DAILY battle.
It's a disease that doesn't fit with schedules and strikes with no warning. A disease that takes away basic human rights. It effects work, travel, social encounters, self-care, exercise, daily tasks and takes a MASSIVE toll on mental health.
I am only one woman and Endometriosis does not discriminate... effecting 1 in 9 women in Australia, making it as common as asthma or diabetes. On average it takes around 6.4 years to diagnose. That is 6.4 years too long. It is estimated to cost the Australian economy $9.4 Billion a year and the individual around $30, 000.
I can confidently say that over the last 12 years myself and with the financial support from my family time and time again, we have well and truly hit that $30, 000 mark out the ballpark.
It's the things you wouldn't even realise that drains your bank account. It's the time off work as a young female working casually that you lose, the hundreds of dollars you spend on doctors, gynecologists, pain management, medications, supplements, extra female hygiene products, hospital visits, psychologists, surgeries, lifestyle changes and the list goes on.
Endo is a debilitating painful condition with no cure. We are walking to spread the message that PAIN THAT INTERFERES WITH YOUR LIFE ISN'T NORMAL and needs medical attention.
We are also walking for the 800, 000 women and people who have Endo in Australia and endure pain daily.
We are walking to say we SEE YOU and we BELIEVE you. You are NOT alone.
Please help us raise money for the women who suffer, big or small... every dollar counts!