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I was 15 years old when I started feeling symptoms of something I never knew I had. I used to think that painful intercourse was normal, debilitating periods, painful urination, constant fatigue were normal symptoms of having a uterus.

I was passed from doctor to doctor always to be turned away. I am 26 now. 

In January 2020 I went to work with a constant pain in my lower left abdomen. I was taken poorly in hospital and it was only until a lady doing my ultrasound said I should ask to be checked for Endometriosis. I had no idea what this illness was - So I searched and it was like a penny dropped in my mind. All the symptoms that I thought were normal for years turned out to be of this illness! 

My doctors got onto it straight away. With waiting times I was in and out of work as I couldn't cope with the pain. I was stressed for having time off work which aggravated my condition even more. I was booked in for laparoscopic surgery in March.

Unfortunately the lockdown was extended and had to cancel my surgery. My anxiety spiralled out of control. I couldn't leave the house - I was convinced there was something more sinister going on and the waiting just heightened everything. Despite the pandemic, so many women's anxiety is through the roof whilst their waiting for laparoscopic surgery. The wait times are so long - Because not enough resources can treat the condition. 

June came around and following my surgery (3 hours under) it turned out I had stage three endometriosis and adenomyosis. A huge build up on my left and right side as well as cysts in my fallopian tubes and my left ovary had attached itself to the side of my uterus. Recovery was tough but I was so grateful that I thought finally this would end.

Since then I have been through numerous treatment plans such as mirena coil insertion, rotation on multiple contraceptives to suppress the symptoms, I’ve been induced in chemical menopause and to no avail. It is so challenging to live with day to day. But I will not give up and neither should any of these women fighting this disease! We are #EndoWarriors

I am raising these funds for Endometriosis UK as it takes on average 7-8 years for women to be diagnosed with Endometriosis. This timeframe has not reduced for over ten years. The scary thought is that 1 in 10 women suffer with this condition - The same statistics of those that suffer with diabetes! Yet nobody really knows what this condition is!I am not out of the woods yet - Some women may be lucky and have one surgery and they can manage the rest of their lives. Some have surgery annually. Every case is different. But familiarise yourself with the term Endometriosis. If you've been suffering these symptoms you may have it too! Make sure you ask your doctors to check.

Endometriosis UK Give information and support for women/those assigned female at birth and also give advice and classes to employers to become an Endometriosis friendly workplace. We should not be penalised for having a condition they cannot help.

Thank you for reading my story.

Daniela X