I woke up one morning with the most excruciating pain imaginable in my abdomen/pelvic region. I remember calling my boyfriend and crying in pain. We went to urgent care, and they ran some tests and found nothing. This happened another time. And they never found the culprit.

A few months after the birth of the Kidlet, I started getting symptoms that were getting harder to ignore (excessive bleeding, lower back pain, cramping, etc.). I went to the doctor’s and was diagnosed with Endometriosis. Basically, it’s a disease where cells grow where they aren’t supposed to and cause a lot of pain, infertility and a bunch of other crap that really sucks. (Those are all technical, medical terms, if you’re wondering).

The doctor wanted to perform a laparoscopy to make sure, where they stick a scope through the belly button and scrap off any errant cells, and I refused. I sought a second and third opinion. One wanted to put me on medication (which I was also against), and the other said I could heal it naturally. I opted for the third opinion.

I’ve lived with Endometriosis for eight years now and some days I kick its ass and other days it kicks mine. As this is Endometriosis month, I will be writing some posts this month on how I am dealing with this illness without the use of medication or surgery and sharing with you some of the things I do to stay healthy (and young) even when my body wants to rebel against me each month. I hope sharing my story will help raise some awareness, and also maybe give you some tips on creating some healthy habits.

Thanks again for being a part of my journey. Your strength gives me strength on the days I find myself lacking. XOXO