October 10, 2023

I was so ecstatic NOT to have ovarian cancer that I completely overlooked the significance of the diagnosis I received in March 2018: Stage IV Endometriosis. I have a high pain tolerance and wasn't aware that what I was experiencing was abnormal. I have good months and bad months and only recently have decided to work with a specialist. I'm still overcoming the contradictory conditioning of my youth: I'm only reliably nurtured when I'm sick vs. "you don't know what it is to be sick, stop whining!" Allowing myself to be honest about how poorly I feel at times, without latching onto the "sick girl" role in order to avoid life's challenges.