Hello Dreamboat...

As Ive mentioned before I am an endometriosis sufferer...for years I felt like this was something to hide, something I should be ashamed of and get through on my own...but then I realised after 4 painful surgery's and possibly more to come... I just couldn't do this...there would be no miraculous cure coming my way...so I need to manage it...

After starting to have symptoms from the age of 14 and never having had a regular period I was diagnosis with endometriosis via laparascopy in 2007...taking nearly 9 years for diagnosis...I tried nearly every pill in existence, took hormone therapy (including HRT) to shutdown my whole reproductive system twice and 4 painful surgery's... and I still struggle daily with the disease...
I fortunately have the best family...wonderful group of friends...and the most understanding fiance in the world...who are behind me 100%...but no one will really understand the pain, frustration and worry that comes with the disease and its that bit which is hard to put across...
March 4th-11th is Endometriosis awareness week and as a sufferer of this disease I felt I needed to raise awareness of what people...like myself...deal with on a daily basis...
Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb, grows in other areas of the body, most commonly in the pelvic region. This tissue responds to hormones in the same way as the lining of the womb but with no outlet it can cause inflammation, scarring and adhesion's, leading to severe pain and many other symptoms...
My own struggle with endometriosis has led me to have gastrointestinal endometriosis which causes problems with eating, digestion and bowel movements and more recently fears it has gone into my lungs causing diaphragmatic endometriosis...I will have surgery to hopefully ease this in the future...but the worry that comes with all of this is sometimes hard to take...
Through support groups I have met some other lovely girls who are going through a similar experiences to myself and it was through this I met Kirsty of Hello Dreamboat (@hellodreamboat)...
Kirsty was diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 17 and following this had 4 big operations and like myself tried every hormone treatment available to try and mange the condition. She has since been diagnosed with rectovaginal endometriosis with bowel, bladder and sciatic nerve involvement. In 2010/2011 the endometriosis attacked so severely Kirsty was bed bound for almost 2 years requiring regular hospital stays, operations, medication and a full time carer. She is no longer able to have anymore surgery to manage the condition so strong opioid's, a strict natural diet and acupuncture is all she can rely on. Unfortunately, as with a lot of endometriosis sufferers, Kirsty's fertility has been impacted by the damage caused and natural conception is not an option.
Through her recovery Kirsty started Hello Dreamboat...handmade vintage inspired jewelry with a twist... including Alice in Wonderland charm bracelets, ribbon bow hair accessories and gorgeous necklaces... find out more at www.facebook.com/hellodreamboat ...and www.etsy.com/shop/HelloDreamboat ...and this month she is making endometriosis awareness jewelry...20% of all sales from the shop will go to Endometriosis UK...
Lets use this week...and the whole of March...as a way of making awareness for Endometriosis...1.5 million women in the UK suffer from it in some form so lets get help, information and support to them...

* If you would like any more information or help with Endometriosis click here www.endometriosis-uk.org or feel free to email or message me @sianbowen85 or eatplaydreamlive@gmail.com *