Open Letter to Senator John McCain

Senator McCain:

My name is Heather Pickens and I reside in Phoenix, AZ. I am 27 years old and am writing regarding my illness, Endometriosis and spreading awareness. 

On August 26, 2014, I will go in for my first excision to (hopefully) fully treat my disease. I am not writing this out of sympathy, those that truly know me understand that I am a strong woman. As an emotionally strong person, it is very difficult to speak of my weakness. However, being silent has not made any advancement in the treatment and cure of endometriosis. I am sharing my story for awareness. 

Endometriosis is a serious gynecological disorder that causes severe pain, bladder and bowel issues, painful intercourse and infertility. The only way to diagnose and treat the disease of endometriosis is by a surgical procedure. It is also a progressive disease. 

Since the age of 13, I have had symptoms of endometriosis. I ignored and pushed through my symptoms until I was 25 and hit a road block. I was bed ridden from the pain and almost lost my job due to the fact that I was off work for six months.

During those six months, I could not function. Showering resulted in me returning to bed with damp hair. I couldn’t keep up with my house work properly and took a huge hit financially. My husband helplessly watched over me during one of the darkest periods of my life. 

Since my diagnosis via laparoscopic surgery on November 7, 2012 I have had several painful treatments, physical therapy, four surgeries (one of which resulted in an overnight hospital stay, and another resulted in being sent home with a catheter). Although I was able to become pregnant, I had a very traumatic labor that resulted in a cesarean. Four surgeries in less than two years, and my excision on August 26, 2014 will be my fifth surgery. This is unacceptable. 

Young girls, teens, and women are suffering. It is time to break the silence.

My story is not uncommon, and is definitely not the most tragic. Many women are ignored, made to feel like drug seekers and are left infertile. Others have lost their babies after pre-mature labor due to the disease. It is the women that have suffered the most due to this God-awful disease that I will use the voice and experiences that God gave me to speak of this disease. I will never stop talking and raising awareness because I never, and I mean NEVER want my daughter to experience a single moment of physical or emotional pain that endometriosis can cause. 

Please support the women of Arizona and the 176 million women worldwide who suffer from endometriosis in declaring March as Endometriosis Awareness Month. 

Anything Can Happen

It has been a long time since I have updated my blog, so I want to apologize first. I have been busy with work and doctor appointments. As some of you are aware, I am pregnant! In two days, I will reach the six month point. I do not know how to explain it other than a God thing. It's really a miracle, and I will never know why God granted me such a huge blessing. I will never know why this happened to me, because things like this just do not happen for me. I am so happy and so ready to meet my baby. 

 As far as the gender, we do not have a definite answer because our baby continues to be in a difficult position to identify boy or girl parts. We have an idea, and I have been worried about sharing it, but have decided to go with it. After two ultrasounds, we believe (although not 100% sure) that we are having a little girl!

Anything can happen. My baby and I are living proof. 

Besides, the pregnancy I am struggling with work and my illnesses. As some know, I work with an international transportation company that keeps me extremely busy. I work twelve hour shifts, and we have entered our busy season. It is stressful to say the least. It doesn't help that I am very ill. I am motivated to work up until my due date (January 24) so that I have more time with my daughter, but as I get further along, I may change my mind. As of now, that is the goal. 

Endo and PFD symptoms continue to be awful. I still have ovary pain and my muscle spasms have been really painful and more frequent since my uterus and pelvic area has been expanding. I am not taking any medication for these symptoms other than tylenol, which is a worthless drug. 

IC is really kicking my ass. I am inflamed, urinating even more than usual, and constantly have painful flares. When I cannot tolerate the pain anymore, I take pyridium which offers some relief. For those not familiar with IC and pyridium, basically it just coats my bladder temporarily. I consider it my "band-aid." For those wondering, I have gotten the okay from several obgyns and the pharmacist to take that prescription, but I still only do it on an as-needed basis when the pain is too much to handle. I only really take it when I am working and the pain makes it too difficult to perform my job. 

Pregnancy symptoms have really been the least of my worries. After I got over the first trimester hump, it has basically been smooth sailing. I do get headaches every few days, but I manage. The two biggest symptoms have been hunger and fatigue, but the fatigue is also associated with my pain level. 

That's really it for now, but I wanted to ask for your opinions. I have spoke with other endo sisters who have mentioned that I volunteer for a c-section and have an excision while under. I was curious to hear your thoughts, opinions, and/or experience on this. Please let me know in the comments below!

xo Heather

P.S. I almost forgot to mention that my sister had her baby! My handsome nephew was born on August 30th. He is absolutely perfect! 

Endo Happy: Are You an Endo Warrior?

Image Courtesy of Katie with Endo Happy

 An Endo Sister's Guide to Living with Endometriosis

• An "EndoWarrior" eats healthily, says no to junk food and educates herself about the "EndoDiet" and incorporates it into her daily life knowing that it may help with her symptoms and long term care.

• Empowers herself by finding out as much as she can about Endometriosis and knows she deserves and is entitled to the best medical care available to her. She doesn't accept no for an answer from any medic and gets a 2nd/3rd opinion if required.

• Knows that there is no 'normal' everybody is on their own journey and doesn't compare her life to anybody else's.

• Is proud of every scar on her body, she knows they represent the battles she had fought and won.

• Takes time to rest and relax. She accepts that Endometriosis is disabling at times so doesn't try to do everything, instead spends her valuable time doing the things she enjoys and says no to the things she doesn't or that give her stress.

• Takes time to exercise (if possible) at least once per week as she knows it makes your mind and body stronger.

• Promotes awareness of Endometriosis by telling friends, family and others about it.

• Continues to work towards the goals she has in life, she knows that it doesn't matter how long it takes to get to them just that they are achieved.

• She acknowledges that depression is common among chronic illness sufferers and talks about her feelings, and asks for help when required and knows it is okay to be emotional and cry!

• Lastly, she knows that she is perfectly 'imperfect' and feels proud of everything she has achieved! She accepts herself as she is and knows she is worthy of love, kindness and respect.

                                          

For more words of encouragement on surviving a life with Endometriosis, please follow Katie on Twitter!

xo Heather

Healthline: How to Reduce Endometriosis Symptoms through Diet and Exercise

Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects between five and ten percent of women and can make the discomfort of menstruation much more extreme.

During the normal menstrual cycle, the endometrial tissue grows inside the uterus and is expelled during menstruation. Endometriosis occurs when this tissue grows outside of the uterus, sometimes attaching to other organs and causing significant pain, bleeding, and inflammation.

The symptoms of the condition tend to get worse with time if they go untreated, so treatment is vital to combat this condition. In addition to medicinal options, diet and exercise have been shown to have a beneficial effect in dealing with the symptoms of this condition.

Benefits of Exercise

In general, the benefits of exercise are somewhat mixed in terms of their success in alleviating pain that results from endometriosis. Among the side effects of this condition are extremely painful periods, pelvic soreness, fatigue, and pain because of exercise. Because of that, women who experience endometriosis are typically hesitant to pick up new exercise routines to combat the symptoms of their condition.

Still, exercise can have certain positive effects. One of the benefits comes before the condition develops. Research indicates that women who exercise vigorously are far less likely to develop endometriosis, although there is less of a pattern for women who exercise less.

For women that have already developed the condition, some level of exercise may help alleviate some of the pain. During exercise, the body releases endorphins, which are natural chemicals that relieve pain and improve mood. These feel-good chemicals work for everyone doing exercise—not just those with conditions that cause significant pain—but this endorphin production can be especially helpful in dealing with pain as significant as that caused by endometriosis.

In general, light to moderate exercise is advised for women with this condition. Exercise beyond that may be impossible, as the body experiences more pain with high levels of exertion. Exercises like walking and yoga, however, require relatively little stress on the body and can produce endorphins to provide some level of pain relief.

Dietary Suggestions

Diet appears to have a much more significant effect on symptoms, so it is important for women that experience this condition to focus on regulating their diet with the proper nutrients.

Certain fatty acids can aggravate pain that is caused by endometriosis, and others can help to relieve that pain. The bad kind of fatty acids are found in foods like meat, dairy, and palm oil, so women with endometriosis would do well to cut these foods out of their diet as much as possible. On the other hand, omega-3 acids fall in the good category, so it helps to consume plenty of food that includes these compounds. Examples of foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, olive oil, and legumes.

Cutting meat and other animal products out of your diet carries the risk of having an unbalanced diet, with too little protein and calcium intake. Having a balanced diet is vital for stabilizing your hormones, and hormones are ultimately responsible for the development of this condition. Thus, balancing your diet with the right nutrients is vital. To keep your protein levels high, replace meat products with foods like tofu, nuts, and fish, and replace the calcium that you get from animal products with leafy greens, almonds, and tofu.

There are a few foods that you will want to avoid in case of endometriosis and other conditions, like arthritis. Caffeine and refined sugar are two of them, as these ingredients tend to result in nutrient loss, allowing additional pain and inflammation to occur in the body because of endometriosis.

Valerie Johnston is a health and fitness writer located in East Texas. With ambitions of one day running a marathon, writing for Healthline.com ensures she keeps up-to-date on all of the latest health and fitness news.

                                       

Special thanks to Valerie Johnston of HealthLine for sharing such an informative post. 

Hello Endo Fundraiser

Please visit My Fundraising Page to donate to my Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain non-profit, "Women's Pelvic Pain Foundation."

I am in the beginning stages of getting the foundation established and need your help.

I believe that all of the awareness and research that other organizations are doing is great, but I am seeking a different approach.

My goal is to help women suffering from pelvic disorders (Endometriosis, IC, etc) financially. Whether or not you have insurance, there are other expenses related to our medical care.

We should not have to worry about missing work, paying rent or mortgage, etc while recovering from surgeries or during our "bad days." 

We also should not ignore the women without insurance who are suffering because they do not have the thousands of dollars needed for medication and surgeries.

Help me to help you.

My goal is $7,500 and would love to meet that goal!

Please donate here. Your donations WILL go to a women suffering.

I will make every attempt to blog about donations that have went to help others (with the respect of an individual's privacy, of course).

xo Heather

 

Non-Profit

As some of you may know, I am in the beginning stages of starting a non-profit organization. 

The non-profit will be for women who are currently suffering from endometriosis.

I am in the process of getting the paper work completed, consulting with possible non-profit lawyers, and getting a website established for donations.

I can tell you the the non-profit will focus on the lives of women who are currently suffering from the disease. As far as any other specifics, I am going to keep that private for the moment. 

I am needing your help in brainstorming names for the non-profit. I would appreciate any ideas you may have!

Let me know!

P.S. Don't forget that tomorrow is the last day for the EndoFemm drawing! Make sure you sign up!

xo Heather

"Do I Look Sick?" Blogging Contest

Some of you may follow Rachel Meeks of "Do I Look Sick" on her twitter or blog. I recently made an Invisible Illness Meme for her blog in a contest designed to raise awareness on Invisible Illnesses! Some of you may also know that I won third place in the contest!

Here is the meme I designed:

 

What do you think? I hope you like it! 

Also, make sure to subscribe to the "Do I Look Sick?" blog and follow the lovely Rachel on Twitter!

xo Heather 

Update: 1/30/13

It's just after midnight which means that I will be in surgery tomorrow, January 31st. I will be having my first IC surgery (cystoscopy with hydro-distension) and I am extremely worried.

I have also been having a personal issue going on that I do not really want to share, I am just hoping that I can make it through and everything will be okay. 

I am also close to going back to work, and I really hope this surgery allows me to do so. I am going stir crazy. If I am unable to get back to work after this surgery, well, I just may kick rocks.

I also received an e-mail from my RE saying that I won't be needing another HSG test to check on my Right tubal blockage. I guess that means there is no hope.

I will also be going back to school in the summer to somewhat make-up for the two semesters I have missed because of my health. I will continue to keep trucking along with my degree, but until that happens, I am happy with the company I work for. They have been very loyal to me as an employee, and I will continue to be loyal to them.

I don't really have a lot to share at the moment, because I am working on getting everything in my personal life back on track. I will post pre/post op pictures soon.

xo Heather

Endo Happy: Acceptance

As I mentioned before, Katie from Endo Happy has become a Guest Blogger! Here is the first Endo Happy post! 

(Photo Credit: The Coffee Klatch)

I don't see acceptance of a situation as defeat, rather as acknowledgement of something that is present and needs to be considered as part of your life. We all want a cure for Endometriosis but the reality is that we do not have one yet, and it may be quite some time before one is found. So alongside fundraising and raising awareness accept that you have this condition and do what you can to make your life a little easier.

Think about the daily struggles that you face and pick maybe the 2 or 3 of the worst ones and find ways to try and overcome them.

2012 was a particularly difficult year for me, almost from the 1st January onwards, but I made these changes and they helped ease my day:

1. The skirt of my work uniform became so tight sometimes due to bloating that I was self conscious and very uncomfortable on those days, I eventually gave in and bought a bigger size, it immediately gave me a sense of relief and I wish I had done it sooner

2. In an attempt to keep eating healthily and feeling good instead of something sugary/fat filled on my weekly shop I instead bought myself a bunch of flowers for my bedroom (£3) They lasted 7 days and made me smile every  morning.

3. Sleeping was a problem, I was exhausted most of the day but suddenly at night my mind would come alive and I found it hard to switch off. I bought a notebook and in it made a list of all the things I needed to get done and made an entry for each day to remember to get them done, I took it to bed with me and would make notes as and when things popped into my head. It didn't work every night but some nights knowing I was organized I peacefully fell asleep.

These are just things that helped me, what could help you in 2013? :-) x

Endo Journey: Angela

The following "Endo Journey" post comes from the lovely Angela Kawakami! Angela has been living and learning to cope with Endometriosis for more than two decades. Please read on to discover Angela's emotional struggle:

During my endometriosis journey of the last 22 years, I have seen more than 40 doctors and specialists, including three naturopaths.  I have come to realize that I have to be an advocate for my own health. If I don’t agree with the doctor’s suggestion or diagnosis, I get a second or third opinion.  Here is my experience with medical and naturopathic physicians.

Early Menstrual Pain

I began seeing doctors when I was 13 years old. I always went alone to the appointments. I guess I saw too many different doctors for anyone to come with me and support me. They thought I was just a hypochondriac.

For years, test after test showed nothing but mild scoliosis and thoracic outlet syndrome; they told me it was all in my head and that I should accept it and take antidepressants.  I had doctors talk to me like I was an idiot and prescribe medications for conditions I clearly did not have. One doctor told me that he couldn’t be my doctor anymore because I cried too much. Several doctors embarrassed me in front of other patients because they were frustrated that my body was in so much pain and couldn’t figure out why.  Twenty–two years later, I was diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis, proof that the pain was real.

Alternative Care

 

Frustrated with medical doctors, I went to a naturopath doctor that was hours away. I just wanted to see if she could find something the other doctors could not.  She asked me to lie down on my back and then she walked around me, touched my arms, looked into my eyes. The rest I really can’t remember, it was long ago.  The interesting thing was, without any tests, she said I had an overabundance of yeast and that my stomach was out of place. Then she moved it back into place! I swear it was so strange because for the first time I felt that I could breathe. It no longer felt as if someone was sitting on top of my chest. She told me to do a yeast free diet along with eating raw pumpkin seeds and some other items as well. It was an interesting visit.  Later I found out that my stomach had been out of place.  Scar tissue from the endometriosis pulled it out of place.

In 2009 I went to see a dietician. After a long interview, she said I had hypoglycemia, bone loss, and adrenal fatigue. This again is something that I would remember later on, as I put the pieces of my illness together. Because I was on Lupron, I have osteoporosis in my jaw. It is possible that the Lupron and the suppression of all the estrogens have caused serious bone loss elsewhere in my body.  No one had considered sending me to get a recent bone scan. My last one was 12 years ago, so at my next GP appointment I will be asking for one.

In 2011, I went to another naturopath. She said I had food intolerances to wheat, dairy and spelt and that my body was not absorbing any nutrients, minerals or vitamins. She put me on a load of supplements to get my body going and for a time, it was working.  While on the diet I had more energy, I was more alert and over all I felt great. Then I was put on Amitriptyline for nerve pain from the endometriosis and everything fell apart.  The Amitriptyline made me feel groggy, crave junk food and I didn’t want to do anything. It was almost like the medication was making me depressed. I was on 70mg a night. The one good thing it did was help me sleep, something I have needed for years.

Back to a Medical Doctor

 

In 2012, I went to one of the best doctors of Canada.  He pulled all of my files from all the doctors I had seen over the years.  His office sent me a copy of everything.  This was the first time I had access to all of my medical records.  At least half the information in my file was wrong.  (Ladies request your medical files!) Much of the information was new – tests that had not been ordered but that were in my file anyway, notes to disregard anything that anyone other than a medical doctor had told me. From these files, I learned that I must take all of my files with me and make notes. Otherwise, there is no guarantee the  information will be accurate. If it hadn’t been for my persistence to research and find one of the best doctors for endometriosis, I wouldn’t be writing this article as we speak.

All in all, the Naturopathic doctors made me feel better and talked to me like a human being, while many of the medical doctors treated me like a piece of garbage, humiliated me and made me feel like I was crazy. I wasn’t crazy. The five hours of surgery to remove and repair the endometriosis damaged organs proved the pain was real.  It had a cause.

Where I Stand Now

 

After years of suffering with endometriosis and being ignored and humiliated by medical doctors, it is difficult for me to listen to their advice. The errors and comments in my medical files showed a blatant disregard for my health. Many of my doctors thought I was crazy or faking it. I feel that I have wasted most of my life in and out of doctors’ offices. It was only through my persistence that I found the one doctor who was able to diagnose my endometriosis.

For now, I have decided to still take my birth control pills for my endometriosis – they seem to work.  At least, the pills even out my moods. Eventually, I would like to come off of the pill and my other medications. As for everything else, it’s all natural and clean eating for me. I am also learning how to manage stress.  Unless I am dying or I feel it’s 100% needed, I will never see a doctor again.

                                          

Thank you for being brave enough to share your Endo story, Angela! Please make sure to stop by Hormone's Matter to read more on Angela's life with Endo!

Have you suffered from an eating disorder? How has Endo affected your life? If you would like to share your story, please leave a comment below!

xo Heather

Endo Journey: Kali & Anti-Bullying

The following Endo Journey post is from an Endo Sister named Kali who suffers from multiple illnesses. She has a YouTube Channel that you can find here. Please watch the video below to learn about Kali and her struggle:

If you are a victim of bullying because of an illness, I hope that this video helps you.  Special thanks to Kali for raising awareness on Chronic illnesses and bullying. I am extremely proud of you for being so courageous! God bless you sweetie!

xo Heather

 

 

Endo Journey: Emma

The following Endo Journey features Emma, a very sweet woman who has struggled with Endometriosis for several long years. She also battles other serious illnesses that require extensive treatment. Please keep reading to learn of Emma's Endo Journey:

 My name is Emma I am 25 and I have been diagnosed with endometriosis since I was 15 years old. This is my story....

I was 10 when I first started to realize something was wrong.  I started to get these stomach pains like nothing I had ever felt before.  They were sharp cramping pains that would freeze me to the spot.  My symptoms started with just my bowel.  I would get sharp pains before needing to go to the toilet and feel sick until I had been.  When I tried to talk to my mum she always thought I was looking for an excuse for a day off school or a note for PE.  I started to get sent home from school in my last year of primary school with these pains and sickness but still nobody really noticed anything was wrong.  September 99 I started secondary school and had just turned 11.

 I remember the day my life changed forever like it was yesterday.  I woke with the pains I had started to grow used to (as much as any woman can get used to endo pains.)  I got to lunch time and started to feel very unwell, sick and clammy.  I went to find a toilet which were always locked in our school and eventually found a teacher to unlock one for me.  As I went to the toilet I realized I had started my first period.  Although I knew what this was I wasn’t prepared for it at all and became very upset.  I found my form tutor and she made me a cup of tea and told me that everything would be okay.  I never thought for a second that day would be the start of a battle I would still be fighting over a decade later.  My first period was the easiest of my life.  A week of average bleeding with some discomfort.

Six weeks passed after my first period and my second period started.  The pain was indescribable.  No pain relief helped and the bleeding couldn’t be held with one sanitary towel, I was using up to 4 ultra pads at a time.  My bleed lasted for 3 weeks.  This became my monthly cycle now.  Then in-between cycles I would get sharp pains up my back passage before even feeling the need to go to the toilet, I would get a clammy sick feeling and spasms across my abdomen until I went the toilet then the same pains would come before during and even sometimes after my period.  My periods could last up to 6 weeks with heavy bleeding, clotting and dizziness.  I tried to talk to my mum but she just told me it was part of being a woman.  It was only when I was 15, I started to faint during my periods and was diagnosed as anemic, that my mum agreed for me to go to see a gynaecologist.  I had my first appointment and was asked to fill in a period diary but was also told due to the fact I was under 16 the consultant would not do any examinations.  I filled in my diary with my 3 week heavy cycles and the fact I clotted a lot during this time and waited for my next appointment.  At my second appointment the consultant told me she thought I had endometriosis and put me on the combined contraceptive pill.  This didn’t help.

At 16 I received my first examination and several scans.  I had blood tests and was booked in for a laparoscopy several months later.  After this the endometriosis was confirmed but I was told it was early stages and the consultant would not operate on me at that stage.  I came off the combined pill and attempted the contraceptive injection.  I bled for 12 weeks and was rushed in to hospital to be put on medication to stop the bleeding.  At 17 I became pregnant but sadly lost the baby after just 6 weeks.  I was devastated but put it down to being young and the fact I didn’t realize I was pregnant until I had lost the baby. 

At 19 I went traveling but my travels were ruined by constant trips to hospital with excruciating pains and sickness.  Then unfortunately I was involved in a massive road traffic accident that left me partially paralyzed for 8 months and with massive head, back and neck injuries.  When I returned to England my stomach pains persisted but were now putting me in a&e regularly due to the fact nothing controlled the pain.  At the age of 19 doctors decided to remove my appendix thinking this could be the cause of the pain but when they removed my appendix they found nothing wrong with them.  I was referred to a gastroenterologist.  I was put through 4 colonoscopies before finally being sent back to gynaecology again.

By the time I was 20 I had another laparoscopy and again was told endometriosis but again told it was early stages and no surgery was required.  I was advised to go back on the pill but refused as I knew it didn’t work.  I was given strong pain relief and sent back to my GP.  By now I was in a long term relationship and trying for a family.  But tragically this was never to be.

 

After several miscarriages and countless visits to a&e I was finally offered the prostrap injection to help my endometriosis.  I was on this for a total of 18 months never being told I should have been on HRT as well.  Eventually fed up that I went through years of never being able to see my consultant because he was too busy and always in meetings and always seeing junior doctors who didn’t understand endometriosis properly then being diagnosed with osteoporosis because of the careless way I was given the prostrap, I asked for a referral to another gynaecologist.  I was eventually sent to an endometriosis specialist in Chester at the age of 23.

My first visit to Chester resulted in another referral to a more specialist consultant who I saw several weeks later.  I was immediately taken off the prostrap and booked in for another laparoscopy.  This went ahead two months before my 24^th birthday.  I was diagnosed with stage 4/5 endometriosis with adhesions on my bowel.  After this I was immediately booked in for excision surgery for the first time in a decade.  I had the surgery and then was put on zoladex injections for 8 months.

I am now 25.  I have just had my 8^th zoladex injection and suffering bladder, bowel and kidney problems.  I get severe pains regularly, constantly need to go to the toilet and get sharp pains through my bowel and in my kidneys.  I am due to see a urologist in 2 days and my endometriosis specialist in 5 days time.  I wish I could say this was my story but unfortunately this is not the end.  10 years ago I thought I would have a family and live a relatively normal life.  I’ll never have children and now I am virtually housebound.  I had a career I worked towards for 7 years that has now had to end.  I also have an auto-immune system disease which severely affects my health and osteoporosis thanks to the 18 months of prostrap minus any HRT influence.  My life is nothing like what I had planned and my most recent development is a referral to the pain management team.  I regularly have to go to a&e because of the uncontrollable pain, most of the nurses in my local hospital know me by name now. 

 The only thing is that a lot of nurses don’t understand what endometriosis is and when I explain I am on zoladex they hardly ever know what this is.  I am now on morphine patches and paracetamol daily and I really don’t know what the future holds.  What I want for my future is some relief from the constant pain and the embarrassing bladder, bowel and kidney problems, and for this condition to become better known.  Awareness to our condition needs to be raised; nurses and doctors worldwide should know how we suffer and how to help us.  I regularly have to explain my condition to medical staff and the treatments I have undergone or am currently undergoing.  Whether this will ever happen I don’t know and I don’t think anyone could ever answer me that. 

                        

                                                                 

Thanks for sharing your story, Emma. I am so sorry that you have suffered from so long. I hope that doctors are able to diagnose your bladder and bowel symptoms and give you the treatment you deserve. I am also sorry about your miscarriage, I can't imagine the pain of losing a child. It is heartbreaking......

If you have a comment or question for Emma, or would like to share your personal story, please share below.

xo Heather