Endo Page

Hi there and thank-you for taking the time to visit my page 🫶🏻💛

I am taking on a 1in10 Challenge to raise vital funds for Endometriosis UK, a charity dedicated to researching and raising awareness for the cruel condition that is endometriosis. I will be aiming to run (or walk depending on pain) 10km a day for 10 days from the 1st of March which is endometriosis awareness month 💛💛

Why? Because I am 1 in 10 living with endometriosis. FYI signed up to do this whilst feeling optimistic and having a relatively ‘good and pain free’ weekend so probably going to regret my decision when my endo next decides to floor me 🙃

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and on average takes 7-10 years to diagnose. It is a condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow elsewhere in the body, commonly in the bladder and bowel to less commonly even in the lungs and nose. These cells can cause absolute havoc and in the later stages of endo (there’s stages 1-4) can often cause lesions of scar tissue to tether parts of your anatomy and organs together.

Endometriosis is a chronic and often debilitating condition sadly with no current cure and can cause many symptoms including:

- Painful periods that interfere with everyday life sometimes so crippling you struggle to stand up or walk, have to take endless painkillers just to get through work of have to constantly cancel plans last minute

- Deep aching or sharp shooting Pelvic pain worse around times of flare ups but can be constant

- Heavy menstrual bleeding

- Pain during or after sex

- Painful bladder and bowel movements

- Fatigue - and we’re not just talking feeling tired, we’re talking bone deep fatigue no matter how much sleep you get that can make every day tasks feel like climbing mount Everest. My nickname is nap queen which says it all

- Persistent daily painful bloating aka ‘endo belly’ which is a very cruel irony looking like you could be pregnant on a daily basis when endo for many can cause…

- Infertility - Many of those who suffer from endo especially in the later stages can struggle to fall pregnant naturally

If you’re still reading this then thankyou so much for taking the time to do so, it means a lot! Now time for my endo story 🥴

I got unofficially diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 22 after suffering with severe pelvic pain and periods that were all over the place, but didn’t receive my official diagnosis until the age of 27 (5 years later!!!!) after having laparoscopic surgery. During this surgery they found stage 2/borderline stage 3 endo on my left ovary, left pelvic side walls, various pelvic ligaments, bladder and pouch of Douglas. The surgery helped ease my symptoms for a while but sadly my Endo has decided to come back with a vengeance and I’m currently on a 6-12 month waiting list for more surgery. My latest ultrasound showed I have a 5.5cm cyst on my left ovary (which is roughly the size of a lime just chilling in my ovary) and a 1cm cyst on my right ovary alongside tethering of my left ovary to my uterus and bowel which basically means it’s all stuck together and potential bladder involvement too. This now suggests my endo has progressed to the more severe stage 4. Ive had a pelvic MRI to investigate and help identify deeper lesions of endo and I’m waiting for the results. My blood test results also indicate that I have lower fertility for someone of my age which is sadly another symptom of endo. Yes this has been some very tough and overwhelming news to take in but I am determined to stay positive and will not let my endo take over my life. Hence signing up for this challenge, I have always pushed myself to achieve more and as many of you know I LOVE anything fitness related. Sadly the reality of living with endo has meant this has taken a bit of a back seat recently which is also taking some adjusting to. I am lucky enough to have the BEST support system - my Husband is my absolute rock and my family and friends are all absolute angels whom I am very grateful to have 💛💛

Any support or donations to this amazing charity no matter how small will be gratefully received and help towards funding research to maybe one day find a cure for endo!! Also if you fancy joining me for any or part of the runs I would love some company 🫶🏻

With much Love,

Jordanne 💛💛 xx