‘This is not cancer.
But, it grows and invades organs, just like it.
This is not cancer.
But it leaves you emaciated, bloated, unable to eat, just like it.
This is not cancer.
But it leaves you debilitated, fatigued and exhausted, just like it.
This is not cancer.
But it causes you to spit up blood, collapses a lung, leaves you unable to breathe, just like it.
This is not cancer.
But it costs thousands of dollars to pay for hospitalizations, surgeries, treatments often with horrendous side effects, just like it.
This is not cancer.
But it steals a childhood, teen years, adulthood, motherhood, marriage, ability to work, just like it.
This is not cancer.
But, the pain causes you to lay awake at night, praying you wake up in the morning when you finally fall asleep, just like it.
This is not cancer.
But it steals a childhood, teen years, adulthood, motherhood, marriage, ability to work, just like it.
This is not cancer.
There is no cure for it, just like it.
No, this is not cancer.
Cancer is better understood.
Recognized.
There is sensitivity.
Understanding.
You are “allowed“ to be sick.
But unlike cancer, this makes you feel alone.
Misunderstood.
A burden.
Because no one understands it. “Get a hysterectomy.” “Just bad periods.” Not just.
To all the women battling this crippling, systemic disease of the reproductive, immune, digestive, respiratory, and nervous system.
That persists after surgeries. Treatments. Even hysterectomy.
Endometriosis.
I see you. I hear you. I feel for you.
You are not alone’.
Written by Michelle Prud h'omme
