I've been thinking a lot lately about why I decided to start advocating and helping others with endo. I've also been asked a lot , "Why did you decide to do this after suffering for so many years with the disease? Why now?"
The easy and short answer is my nieces. My nieces are are like daughters to me and thinking about them suffering through what I went through makes me physically sick and breaks my heart into a million pieces. I have a lot of nieces, blood nieces and some through friendships that all mean so much to me. They are my girls since I only have 2 boys. They range in age from 20 to 3 weeks old.
The oldest one came to me a little over a year ago with the fears that she could have endo. Listening to her tell me her symptoms and how the doctors were pushing her aside made all those feelings from years ago came rushing back. I promised her I would help her through and I would not let anyone continue to push her away. I told her to not give up and to always advocate for herself. If she doesn't advocate for herself then she will continue to feel horrible and let people walk all over her. She finally started to demand answers and tests be run and for doctors to listen to what she was saying. I was so proud of her for doing what needed to be done to get the answers she needed to feel better.
Since endo is hereditary it scares me that all these little girls could go through what I did. I will not allow them to be treated that way. I will not allow them to go to uneducated doctors. I will not allow them to suffer like I did; mentally, emotionally and physically.
I will do everything in my power to protect each one of them, no matter what. If it means I have to go talk to groups of people about "women's issues" than that's exactly what ill do. If I have to send a million emails to spread awareness than that's what ill do.
These girls will always be Nanny's/ Aunt Shannon's princesses and I will save them from the terrible treatment I received. I am so proud of each one of them and I want them to accomplish whatever they want in life without endo holding them back.
These girls are my why and the reason I will never stop educating and advocating for women with this disease.