Endometriosis
(en-doe-me-tree-O-sis)
A full-body inflammatory disease that behaves in ways similar to cancer, (but not cancer) growing on organs throughout the body. There is currently no cure and limited treatment.
Why...
This is absolutely not my usual content. So why am I posting it?
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis's cause isn't clear, and there is no magic cure for this chronic, painful disease.
Endometriosis affects as many as 11% of reproductive-aged women. More than 6.5 MILLION women across the United States have reported and been diagnosed as suffering from Endometriosis... this statistic does not include the women who have either not been diagnosed or who have not sought medical care for their chronic pain.
Treatment
Treatment options are... limited to say the least.
Because Endometriosis cannot be cured, doctors are left to try and treat symptoms and manage pain.
Hormonal birth controls are often prescribed to help alleviate symptoms, but those come with a host of side effects all on their own.
If a woman's Endometriosis causes significant scarring their recommended treatment plan might include surgery. Other than hormones, surgery and a steady supply of pain medication a woman suffering from severe Endometriosis pain might pursue a more homeopathic remedy like acupuncture, herbs, a regimen of vitamins or chiropractic care.
Any and all of these treatments are simply a bandage for a chronic disease that wreaks havoc on young women across the world. A disease that has the ability to incapacitate them with pain, as well as make pregnancy difficult, if not impossible.
These are uncomfortable conversations to have... but they are so necessary.
Women suffer in silence with this disease everyday.
Conversation IS women's healthcare.
Understanding and compassion IS women's healthcare.
Acknowledgement IS women's healthcare.
So why this session?
Olivia suffers from Endometriosis. She has battled pain, questions, uncertainty, waiting, and finally surgery. She has faced her battle with grace and strength few could imagine, out of necessity and armed with immense faith.
Olivia reached out to ask if I would help her take some photos that she could post for Endometriosis Awareness Month. As a woman who suffers from a different reproductive disease, I was absolutely honored that she would trust me to help tell this part of her story.
Before
We broke her journey down into the phases she went through. We started at the beginning. The silent pain and unknown of
pre-diagnosis.
During
Next came her diagnosis. The pills. The trying to find a treatment that worked. The waiting for her body to respond, and the ultimate decision to pursue surgery.
After
Endometriosis will always be a part of Olivia's life, but it will never be who she is. With the support of her family and her faith in Christ, Olivia has come through the other side of her surgery.
My number one goal for this session was to provide a visual representation of Olivia's journey. I am beyond honored that she trusted me not only creatively, but emotionally as well.
I feel so passionate about the story we crafted using these photos. I hope these images touch your heart the way they touched mine!
This story was shared with Olivia's permission, in an effort to raise awareness for this disease that likely affects at least one woman you know in your everyday life <3
