Spreading Endometriosis Awareness
I received awesome news awhile back — an essay that I’d written for a writing contest put on by A Band of Women was picked up for publication! I received news back from one of the editors today and she said that after reading my revisions she was “inspired”.
This powerful word made me smile from ear to ear. I am super excited about the whole prospect of my words in print and feel truly blessed that I am able to share my own experiences, in hopes of helping other women. This is a big reason why I enjoy writing this blog 🙂
I know that endometriosis is a very lonely disease. The pain is isolating because many around don’t understand. Endometriosis affects everything — mentally and physically. It is difficult to convey this to someone who has never experienced it. It was the words of other women with endometriosis speaking out that made me not feel so alone, and gave me hope that I could overcome it.
I hope that my printed story reaches women who have never heard of endometriosis, or those who wonder if they have the disease and have never been properly diagnosed. I find that the more I speak up about my endometriosis the more and more women I meet who have it. I think it is a silent disease in many ways — women suffering in silence because they are unaware.
It’s That Time of the Season
Ironically I wrote the revisions to my essay on the first day of my last period. Seriously? Yes. I was able to do so since my last visit with flow was not so painful. I attribute this to my new peaceful environment 🙂 I also think that my last liver cleanse made a big impact.
During my last cycle I had little to no PMS symptoms, and my Basal Body Temperature Chart (BBT) was normal (for the first time since my last liver cleanse four months ago). By normal I mean that my temperature did not dip in my luteal phase as it commonly does (an indicator of low progesterone).
As the days to the start of my period approached, I reminded myself this and told myself that flow was not going to be that bad. I really tried to shift my attitude about it.
After suffering countless painful periods, I think it is normal to have dread for the arrival of flow. Suffering with endometriosis makes me HATE flow. How could I not?
So when my little red monster visited and I was able to function and create — you betcha I was stoked (albeit a little grumpy still). This was a big improvement from my painful start last month.
With flow’s arrival, I sat in a big comfy recliner with my feet up and heating pad over the still present pain from my ovaries and read a chapter in an awesome book called 4 Seasons in 4 Weeks: Awakening the Power, Wisdom and Beauty in Every Woman’s Nature by Suzanne Mathis McQueen. The chapter was fitting — Week 1 Fall.
According to Suzanne, each week of the cycle correlates with a season in the year. The week of menstruation is fall. The fall is associated with the falling of the leaves from the trees — similar to the shedding of the uterus during menstruation.
Just like the shedding of the uterus, the falling from trees shows an end to a colorful cycle of seasonal changes. The deep roots they point to represent a sweet and tender beginning that starts from seed and perseveres into a magnificent tree.
– Suzanne Mathis McQueen
She makes it sound so beautiful right? Lol. According to Suzanne “Fall” is a time to rest and recharge. This is a time for self reflection and some solitude is recommended. I took this advice as I sat in my recliner reading her book 🙂
According to Suzanne, the most creative artist in us comes out during this week of “fall”. Let me share a few more of her beautiful words:
From a place of ending a cycle and beginning a new one, the New Moon gathers its self-reflection and begins to step out into the world. In the same way, your internally pointed light, which has been resting, processing and mindfully creating, will do the same.
– Suzanne Mathis McQueen
Wow. I took this and got to work reflecting on changes to my essay — which got much deeper than just words on the page. As I poured out red from the center of me, I found my words flowing just right on the page. And as my period continued on for several more days, I embraced the creativity that continued to flow from me.
Makes me wonder if I can continue to embrace this change of season each month? Can flow be just a blip in my life — and not a dreadful day that tests my ability to tolerate massive amounts of pain? I believe so. After all she was pretty polite this time 🙂
On the Positive Side?
Many times I had no other choice but to rest during this “time of the month” — the pain flattened and crunched me. As time passes and my pain lessens, I think I will be able to embrace the arrive of flow as a time to slow down and reflect.
I know that with the pain of endometriosis, it is difficult to embrace flow. She is painful and mean. But perhaps with true healing, this idea can be shifted and we may experience the true beauties of this new start each “season”.
My perspective has already shifted on my path of natural healing. Each month I get to see how the actions of the previous month affected me. I get a chance to shed the old and start anew. Another cycle of healing, another chance for new life 🙂
I do notice that I am more creative during my period and the week that follows and am so happy that I was able to take advantage of the creativity that flowed from me during a time that usually pierces me with such pain.
My essay is going to be published in an anthology that is supposed to come out early next year. Will keep you posted 🙂 In the meantime, I highly recommend the first anthology put out by A Band of Women called “Nothing but the Truth, So Help Me God.”
With much love,
Aubree.
