Personal Story

I remember when my I had my first period at age thirteen... I missed two
days of school because of the severe cramping and pain. After realizing that
this amount of pain was not normal, I went from doctor to doctor, clinic to
hospital, but nothing could be found. I was told many times that the symptoms
were in my head or that I was faking.

This was infuriating to me because I
was in such extreme pain and the symptoms were interfering with my life. I
had begun dance training at age three. Dance was my passion. Everyone in my
community knew me as "the dancer." I vividly remember my mother once telling
my dance instructor, "She breathes, eats, and drinks dancing." I had studied
and performed with several professional companies, such as the Les Grands
Ballets Canadians and the Missouri State Ballet. But, the pain became too
great and I was eventually forced to stop dancing. It is very painful for me
to think of what could have been and the opportunities
I will never have again.

Shortly before I had to stop dancing, I had been accepted to study
with the Joffrey Ballet Company and travel to Montreal to study with the Les
Grands Ballets Canadians. At the time, I still did not know what was wrong
with me, but I knew it was not in my head. No one could give me any answers
and I had no explanation for others. Two years after my periods began, I was
diagnosed with endometriosis after a laporoscopy revealed severe disease.

Laser surgery was done to remove as much disease as possible, but this only
gave me relief for a short time and then the pain became worse. I went on
Lupron injections for three months, which was absolutely horrible. The
treatment did not help my condition and made me miserable with additional
symptoms. My gynecologist is now considering doing surgery to obstruct the
pelvic nerve, but I am weary about the procedure and am considering the
possible options. Meanwhile, the pain is becoming worse and I am very
frightened. But, like my fellow endometriosis sufferers, the disease is
making me stronger, not weaker and I will continue to physically fight the
disease and to conquer the disease through awareness. This is why I started
the Endometriosis Education Campaign. I wanted to give women of all ages a
way to deal with their frustration and give them a positive outlet.