Endo vs. Other Serious Diseases

[Heather]

The other day, one of my friends posted one of those awful, guilt-trippy cancer statuses on her Facebook. I really hate those things "Most people have 1000 wishes, a cancer patient only has one: to get better." I'd wish to get better if I thought it would help. At least cancer patients CAN get better in a lot of cases.

I inadvertently got sucked into an argument with her, where she basically said everyone has problems, deal with it. Does everyone have an incurable disease? Does everyone have an UNTREATABLE disease? She mentioned the tree guy (he's got some crazy fungus growing on his hands and feet and looks like a dryad). Personally, I'd rather be the tree guy. Then maybe I'd get some disability. Cancer, for me, is the only thing I wouldn't trade endo for (that I know of).

I am certainly not belittling cancer. My mom had it, my dad had it, a few of my mom's siblings had it... I will most likely get it at some point, not just because of my history but because of my unusually speckled (Irish) skin. It's just a matter of probability before one of these moles decides to go on a hate spree. I just really wish that endo had anywhere near the awareness, the research power, or the MONEY poured into it that cancer does.

It makes me want to cry whenever someone brings it up, because I really do think it's WONDERFUL that so many cancer patients aren't dealing with a death sentence, and I don't know how to bring up endo without sounding like a callous bitch. A little girl in the restaurant I worked at was saying something like "pink is the new black", and at first I had no idea what she was talking about, but when I figured it out I just got so sad and frustrated.

So what would you trade endo for? And no fair saying "a healthy body", because that's what we all want! =b

[Karen]

Helen and I were having a similar convo about this, that it's not fair that when you say the word 'cancer', people seem to understand what that means, that they give some empathy, but when you say the word 'endo', it's more often the 'suck it up' look that you get from others. Not that I expect sympathy when I say I have it, but a little bit of empathy and understanding would go a long way.

As for what I'd trade endo for, I don't think I could answer that. Two years ago I probably would have said I'd trade it for anything, but now that I know a lot more about it and feel much more empowered with my treatment, I'd hesitate to trade it for something I don't know that much about!

[hellsbells]

Yeah, I get you. Cancer has touched my life several times, and it's a hideous, scary disease. But yes, I guess I would like to be dealing with something that has the potential of a cure.

[Shannon Elizabeth]

I hate how all the time people tell me "Well you don't look sick...you look fine." And for them that's almost enough to write it off. Like if they aren't visibly sick, or have some well known horrible disease, its basically just another thing in their life that they have to deal with. As if its like Asthma or something. And people think they know the definition of "bad cramps" but their definition doesn't touch anywhere near what we go thru. Hum.

[cherry]

I think a trade-off is something I couldn't decide on as I don't want to tempt fate and end up with both... and knowing now that endo has a million little problems that come along with the fertility and GI and pain issues that people tend to be aware of (if they know of endo at all) I'd say maybe it's better the devil you know?
When I speak to friends who ask about it, what it is, I make no bones about how serious it has been for me at points, how serious it is for the endo girls that I know the stories of, how serious it has gotten for some ladies who I know have had multiple surgeries, resections, hysterectomies. Even when I've felt unbelievably well, I couldn't shake the effects of endo at it's worst from my mind. I guess I'm just making sure that people realise it is an active problem, I don't care if they think it's dramatic. As a disease it can quite often be dramatic and I don't know one diagnosed sufferer who is breezing through with endo.

[JC]

I'm so sick of having a uterus. I want to trade endo for a developmental malfunction that caused me to be born without a uterus.

Oh wait, I know! It's called being born a male!

[chicagogal2]

I'm sick of girlie inside parts as well. Today is one of the worst days I've gone thru yet. I want it to settle down already. I just took advil now. 2011 is going to be a change for me - I'm going to put up with this thru June, then if I'm not pregnant I think I need to go back on the pill - I can't go on like this much longer. I'm mentally and physically drained.

[omaklackey]

That's it really, I want one Freakin person to say "oh endo, that's a real b*tch for sure". We never get that response from anyone. NO I wouldn't trade endo for anything else in spite of everything, I just wish we could get some understanding. My brother has diabetes and I would hate having to stick myself every day and then give myself a shot, but if he tells someone I have diabetes they know what he is talking about! Even at the hospital where I work if someone asks they go "oh what's that?" GRR!! (Sorry, been a long week)

[KSA]

I suffer from a variety of issues and know many people with cancer. I can say this none of it has the research it needs. Cancer does have a leg up on endo when it comes to reasearch and awareness. I wish endo got more attention since we have so many woman that suffer in silence. I am boderline diabetic and stick myself once a day, I have a seizure disorder and take medication, I also get a mamamogram for detection of breast cancer bc of my fibroids in my breasts. All of these problems have a way for me to maintain it and detect it so it does not get worse. Endo does not. If I end up finding out I have some sort of GI cancer I will have a treatment plan the docs will follow it til its gone or in remission. Endo however the best I can be told is that if I continue to have issues I will have another surgery to CHECK on it? I can not say endo is worse then the rest of my problems or one is greater then the other but I will say this I can deal with a finger stick alot more then I can being put under for a lap and removal of endo. I have not had cancer or been diagnosed with it but it breaks my heart to see my friend and coworker on her second cancer diagnosis and she feels the same for me. I have for compassion for all who are sick.
I agree with Karen I have dealt with my endo and my other issues. I accept it for what it is. I am sick and if it is uncurable or treatable I think dealing with the fact that I can overcome it is what gets me thru it all. The fb status you posted about is someone's way of raising awareness for a loved one and that is how I take it. In March or right now post a endo link or change your profile pic all of us have a some way even if it is small to raise some sort of awareness. If one person asks what it is or why is your profile yellow you can share what endometriosis does to woman or your story.

[pamelaj]

Im just back on the board after not posting in a long time and came across this thread and felt I HAD to post a reply.

As an Endo sufferer along with every other brave woman on this forum, I also have stage 2 non-hodgkins lymphoma(cancer). I have severe pains throughout my entire body for which my doc is testing my for fibramyalsa today.
I can honestly say that I would gladly exchange Endo for either one of the other 2 diseases because at least with the cancer, I am having that surgically removed March 2nd and the severe pains(fibramyalsa?) I am kinda controlling with many many meds.
Endo however...pain after intercourse, severe cramping during ovulation, stabbing pains whenever they feel like "popping up" that are harder to control. Thank god Ive had a hysterectomy and do not get a monthly cycle anymore.
Its harder to say to my wonderful huband "sorry we cant make love but im having severe abdomen pains" then it is to say "sorry we cant make love tomight because I have cancer"