Page 42 - March 2024 Issue.indd

Endometriosis Awareness other chronic conditions. Endometriosis is like the beginning
to no end and we need to make sure there is education about
Month 2024 this disease so that others do not face what so many of us have.

This past year I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and it has

Endometriosis: A Disease That Never Ends
truly been a struggle at times because in some cases I felt like I
was starting all over again with the doctors, family, friends and
By Shannon Pinder Hannawald coworkers. The last four years I have poured my heart and soul

into educating anyone that would listen about endometriosis
Endo Warriors of the Eastern Shore
with my advocacy and support group, Endo Warriors of the
www.endowarriorsoft heeasternshore.com
Eastern Shore, yet this past year I feel as though I am right
www.facebook.com/endowarriorsoft heeasternshore
back where I started. I have finally found a gastroenterologist

What is endometriosis? If you ask a doctor endometriosis is that has been wonderful and I can see the light at the end of

defined as a painful disorder in which tissue like the tissue that the tunnel at least for this part of my endometriosis journey.
normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium I have been to the emergency room every month for the past
— grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly seven months and have been admitted most of those times so
involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining that we can treat the Crohn’s disease. However, I had a doctor
your pelvis. It has now been found on the lungs, brain and during one of those visits that reminded me why I do what I
other organs outside of the pelvic cavity. However, if you ask do and why it is so important to talk about important issues
a woman who has been diagnosed with endometriosis, she even though they are extremely personal and I’m sure uncom-
will tell you endometriosis is a whole-body disease that aff ects fortable for some to talk about. This doctor took me back to a

every part of each woman in a different way. Endometriosis place that I haven’t been in a long time and honestly made me

unfortunately has not yet been classified as an auto immune want to give up on spreading awareness.

disorder, however, the link between endometriosis and other
auto immune disorders is believed to be a result of infl amma- Th e first thing this doctor said to me when he walked in the

tion, which may contribute to an abnormal immune response. room was, “Endometriosis may be a little painful but it is
not an emergency and doesn’t need treatment in this kind of
Multiple Sclerosis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease,
and Rheumatoid Arthritis are just a few of the auto immune setting.” Not a “Hello,” “How are you?”, nothing except that
disorders linked to endometriosis. Along with those most endometriosis is not that painful. I sat there for a moment
women are diagnosed with PCOS, Pelvic Congestion, Fibro- looking at him in complete disbelief that he literally had no
myalgia, certain cancers, Pelvic Floor Dysplasia and many compassion and had absolutely no education about endome-
triosis. After I gathered my thoughts, I looked at him and said,

“Endometriosis is extremely painful and can need emergency
Debbie's Avon treatment but that’s not why I am here.” He basically laughed
INDEPENDENT SALES REP FOR AVON in my face and said he would run some blood work. As soon as
443-786-8173 he walked out I immediately started crying, partially because I
was so angry that a doctor would treat someone like that and
DEBBIESAVON@YAHOO.COM WWW.YOURAVON.COM/DSHALABY because it made me think why am I doing all of this advocacy
work? Does it even matter? The worst part is it took me back

I'm your local Avon representative. If you would like to be
to a time in my life when I was severely depressed because
added to my mailing list for a brochure or if you would like
nobody would listen to or help me. The time in my life when

to place an order, just give me a call or send me an email. I attempted suicide because I was so tired of fi ghting. Aft er
If you are looking for income or extra income, a few days I remembered why I do this work and why it’s so

contact me I can help you out. important to help other women. Thinking about my nieces
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