Osis Awareness
30 seconds...
How many awareness months does it take to make sure people realise Endometriosis impacts as many people as diabetes and asthma? 170 million people and counting. Let’s hope it’s not that many months…
After 4 years of actively taking part in various awareness months and days, I have yet to realise what they achieve. I could take this time to list more facts and figures, but in my experience, it is telling stories that really raise awareness. So…
My experience with the Mirena Coil*
*The Mirena Coil is a hormonal IUD used for birth control and treating certain conditions. And also, if you’re me, torture…
30 seconds. 30 seconds of pain. That is what they told me, ‘it’s a quick insertion.’ 30 seconds turned into 2 minutes which turned into 5, and after having only moments to berate myself for not being more anxious in the lead up to this, after promising the medical professionals surrounding me I am not a screamer, 5 minutes turns into 2 hours. I think I screamed for a large part of it. I wish I could say I don’t remember. I know pain, and I am brave. You can trust me on this because 1 I live in constant, chronic pain 2 I have had operations, and painkillers don’t work for me 3 I have lost people. Many people, people who I loved. I am brave and I am not a screamer. I know this because sometimes, when I am alone in my room, when I have just woken up and something has subluxed, I scream. Sometimes, I worry my mother because I couldn’t get to it in time, couldn’t stay on top of it. From toothache to ulcers to heartbreak to grief, from headaches and stubbed toes to seizures and losing my belief, there are many, many kinds of pain. But that is irrelevant. What counts here is the level. And the level of the mirena coil was the worst pain I have ever experienced. I know this because at a certain point, like when you have had seizures for a week straight or back pain for a month, so bad you can’t move, when a foreign device is inserted and causes uterine contractions, pain isn’t just something you feel, it is something you are. Something you become. It replaces you. And even though you are not a screamer, you scream. And it bursts the skin of your belly button. Your poor, poor belly button, the one you hate thinking about let alone touching, the one that has two laparoscopy scars adorning it? It splits, and then it gets infected, and then you are sitting with your niece, praying she will never have to go through anything like this, and wondering how 30 seconds became a week. But wait! There’s more! Hives. Hives, glorious hives, swarming around my stomach. A reaction to the endless cycle of ice packs? Probably. Until they get worse… and worse. And before you know it you’re being treated for shingles. ‘So avoiding stress is the only thing I could have done to avoid this?’ You ask the pharmacist ‘yeah’ So the stress of the mirena. The 30 seconds becomes a whole-ass virus. But wait! They were wrong! After completing the round of anti-virals, it is in fact apparent that it is not shingles. It is my own special cocktail of who-knows-what. Most likely a hormonal allergic reaction triggered by the coil? And I am still itchy writing this now… It was only meant to be 30 seconds.
All this is to say… procedures which could have a detrimental impact to one’s health, especially if one has complex pre-existing conditions, should come with consent forms that properly inform the patient of potential side effects. Yes, it’s rare. But rare people exist. It’s me. Hi!
Unfortunately, Endometriosis has no cure. But you know what does have a cure? Tuberculosis! But millions still die every year, largely due to corporate greed… This is something we CAN do something about, so please sign this petition and watch this video! Feeling bamboozled yet? Same.
The surprising history - and current dilemma - of TB
CrashCourse
Is Medicine Sexist?
Jessica Kellgren-Fozard
I wish I could talk about all the conditions March is responsible for raising awareness for, but Endometriosis and Tuberculosis both end in ‘osis’ so I had to prioritise them. My hope is that when Endometriosis is curable, the cure won’t be inaccessible like it is for so many with TB right now. Everything is interconnected, right? Or maybe I’m just unhinged and desperate for a link!!!
If you appreciate these letters or my work with Tea with HB, a one-off donation or a monthly membership is super appreciated by me! Other ways to support include checking out my website, or just sharing Tea with HB with a friend. Thanks!
Love,
HB x
March Favourites
☀️ Good News: Spending time with family and friends, and eating smokey noodles, blueberry cupcakes, homemade chutney, and yellow salmon curry! Plus, after years of gruelling torture to try and access the help I deserve… I FINALLY qualified for disability benefits in the UK!
📚 Book: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
📺 TV: Death Note
🍿 Movie: Tetris
🖋️ Journal Prompt: Write about a time stepping out of your comfort zone paid off
🎶 Music: The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess