Day 12: Briefly explain to a healthy person what it is like to live with this illness.

Celiac disease: Starvation. Well, that was easy.

Endometriosis: I can sum this up best with a quote from actress Stephanie March.

“If I were to tell you that I had a disease whose primary characteristic was the proliferation of cells that, like super glue, spread over my internal organs, crippling their ability to do whatever it is they are supposed to do, you would (as people do when I tell them) drop your jaw and stare horrified.You’d want to know the name of the disease, whether there was a cure, a national day of awareness or celebrity benefit that raised money for research and treatment. But if I were to tell you I had bad periods, your reaction might likely be a shrug, an “ooh-icky” nose crinkle, and possibly a “suck it up, bitch” eyebrow lift.”

Stephanie March

Endo is painful. But unless you have it, you can never understand how painful. How do you explain how painful it is to have cells peppering your pelvis that bleed every month? For your organs to be stuck together? There really aren’t adequate descriptions. But just take my word for it, it hurts. It’s also a very isolating disease because no one believes you, from family and friends to healthcare professionals. It’s not right, but that’s the way we’re treated. It’s a disease I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

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