73. Adenomyosis & Hysterectomy with Jahdiah Blane

Welcome to Chronically The Sickest - the sickest podcast you know.

On today’s episode I’m joined by purple enthusiast, Blane.

We get into sex after a hysterectomy, mobility aids and how it feels to be missing an organ.

Follow Blane @gawdessblane

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Feel free to shoot me a DM if you have any questions or if you just want to chat. I’m wishing you a low pain day. ‘Catch you next week!

Episode Transcript

(00:04):
Hello folks, and welcome to Chronically the Sickest, the
podcast where we talk about all things that make us chronically
the sickest people we know. I'm Clark, your host.
It's nice to chat with you this week.
Join us as we dive into the episode, sit back, relax, and
enjoy the show. Welcome, Blaine to Chronically

(00:33):
the Sickest Podcast. How are you doing?
I'm feeling good today actually.That is a great answer.
Yeah, today, like, wow, I thought I was going to have
something like specific to talk about like my back hurts or
something, but I woke up and I was like, oh, I feel
enthusiastic and ready to to be chronically the sickest.

(00:56):
OK, well I love that. We love a low symptom day.
That's like the best time to record.
Yes, absolutely. OK, so for the listeners at home
who may not know who you are, can you tell me a little bit
about yourself? So I go by Blaine, my middle
name, like David Blaine, and I feel like we are the same

(01:21):
because we're both full of magic, me and David.
So I think it's a blame thing. I'm a fashion media major.
I am a shibari rope artist and Ifocus my work and my photography
on black and brown disabled bodies.
That's my passion, whether it's literally in fashion or rope as

(01:43):
an adaptable fashion accessory. I love wearable rope, and that's
kind of where my two passions intersect.
And when I'm not doing homework,I'm playing Hello Kitty Island
Adventures because I got this deluxe game and it comes with
like nice little starter packs that make the game a bit easier.

(02:06):
I love gaming, I love anime, andI love cute stuff.
I love cute stuff. I feel like I got that just by
like the way that you look the cute little like sweater, the
hair I audio listeners. She is dressed head to toe in
purple. It's very cute.

(02:26):
Oh my gosh and the nails. I didn't even see the nails.
I'm jealous. OK, so yes, you do some very
whimsical fashion and media major.
And then I love what you said about using rope as like not
only an accessory, but like an aid almost like I'm thinking

(02:46):
people with EDS and stuff that'sgot to be really smart.
It's so. Great as a tool for grounding
compression in certain areas, and I love it for meditation as
well. It's a pain I can control, and I
like that. As someone who is dealt with

(03:08):
chronic pain, it's like this is a thing that I am, I am
controlling. It also helps me with my back a
lot, gives me a nice support during times that I'm just, you
know, making chest harnesses or just pulling the rope taut.
It feels like I'm in control of something during times when, you

(03:30):
know, as you know, we're not very much in control of our
bodies. Sometimes we're not in control
in medical spaces and social spaces.
And it has become that for me. And I try to let other people
know, like, hey, just give it a try.
See, see how it makes you feel. And I haven't had anyone pick it

(03:51):
up and put it down 100%. It's like I pick up rope when I
want to feel sexy, but I also pick up rope when I want to feel
secure so it it does something different for every single body.
Yeah, that totally makes sense. Thank you for explaining that.
I feel like I'm already learningsomething.
We're only like a minute in the.End zone, yes.

(04:11):
OK, I want to ask the big question and I mean I feel like
I'm already learning, but what do you think makes you
chronically the sickest person you know?
What makes me chronically the sickest person I know is that I
my, my friends called me patientzero because if there is a
symptom that comes with the medication, I get it.

(04:34):
If there is an allergy to something, I have it.
And whether it's something that I have from childhood or
developed later in life, if it can cause a rash, I'll get it.
And it's just some of the stuff that I've had to go to the

(04:55):
doctor for has been hilarious because they're like, that can
only happen to like 1% of people.
I am the 1% of people that the thing happens to.
So I would say that. And also I'm pretty badass.
Like I love purple. So I've committed like my entire

(05:15):
life, well my entire life to being a purple person.
There's a term for it, but I won't say it because I'm going
to say it wrong, but a term for people who love purple.
And it's like my aura color. It is safe and warm.

(05:36):
It's adaptable from pastels to more vibrant saturated colors.
I try to keep it in a lot of thethings that I do as a form of
personal identity and also rebellion from all the times my
jobs made me wear. Black.
That is really relatable. Thank you.
I get that. Oh my gosh.

(05:56):
OK, so you're the sickest because you are patient zero.
Hilarious response. And then same with the the
purple girly kind of thing. Which?
That was a really good answer. I feel like it was both like
diagnosis related and then also just kind of like I just like to

(06:17):
feel like a fun, colorful person.
Yep, literally like I just, I want to feel fun, colorful and I
don't want to hide. I spent a lot of time hiding as
a disabled person and not wanting people to look at me.
So it's also that like I'm, I have my mobility aids, I have
purple ones, I've got pink and silver and people are like, oh,

(06:42):
you match. And I'm like, it's on purpose
because you're going to stare atme because I'm a 34 year old
woman with a cane. So I might as well give you
something to look at while we'rehere.
I love that thank. You you're.
You're already staring. It's fine.
Yeah, but you just have to walk by and be like, oh, they're
staring because like I'm matchy matchier because like I look.
Really hot today. Like you just have to yes,

(07:05):
that's that's really what I, I or they're like they've never
seen a girl so hot with a with amobility aid ever.
Like, you're welcome. Oh my gosh, I wish that I lived
in a world where when people dislike stared, I'm like, well,
you're being rude, so why not just like throw social
commentary to the wind and just be like, you're welcome, You're
welcome. So one of the things that you

(07:30):
mentioned like being patient zero to kind of get into your
diagnosis, I like was hearing you talk about it and I was
like, Oh my gosh, no wonder you have agoraphobia.
I would too. If like every single thing that
every single medication I took, every single like little

(07:51):
reaction to something happened, Like I would just be so
frustrated. Of course I wouldn't want to go
outside. I know what's inside.
Yes. So agoraphobia has made life
very hard, especially because they have different words for
it. So like people feel like you're
a homebody, you're an introvert,you're you're a hermit.

(08:17):
And it's like, no, I'm terrifiedbecause the body becomes very
unpredictable. Outside is unpredictable.
And then the pain adds to the the thing and brings it all
together like a really great, like soda float cherry on top.

(08:38):
And it's like, no, I'd I'd rather stay inside.
And there was a a period of timewhere I didn't accept this part
of myself that I genuinely was struggling with being outside.
I didn't like it. And people be like, oh, you just

(08:59):
don't like the company. No, that's not it.
I like the company. I don't like that I can't just
leave when I want to. I don't like going the far away
places. I realize it's, it's a lot of
those things. It's the feeling of being
trapped in a space or, you know,maybe my medical transportation

(09:19):
is late and it's like, this is so out of my control.
I would rather stay home, especially in New York where
like, I don't take trains and things like that anymore because
the steps are too much for me. And I have to be post and
product when I do go outside because doctors are sort of the

(09:41):
only like, mandatory thing that can really get me outside.
It's like, oh, people are going to touch me and they're going to
ask me questions that they should already know the answers
to. And the lady's not going to be
able to find my vein because shecan never find my vein.
And it just, you sit there and you start thinking about it

(10:01):
maybe like a week prior to and you realize that you need a lot
of mental preparation to do the thing.
So it's not that I can't go outside.
I'm not there's like levels of agoraphobia.
But I have to be very prepared. And I think the hardest part is
being being in spaces that folksare not used to giving that

(10:24):
level of accessibility. Like, you're flighty, You're
always. And it's like, you don't know
what it took for me to have to get outside.
Plus navigating chronic pain, it's like my body is
unpredictable. And my mind could just be like,
we don't want to do this today. It's raining.

(10:45):
You didn't plan for rain. Oh, no, we don't want to be wet.
My skin is just like, ah, I'd rather not, let's stay inside.
And it's so easy to like, you know, those measures like when
people cancel plans and you're smiling behind your phone.
My life is bad, but like, all the time.
And sometimes for things that I actually do want to go to, but

(11:08):
if I'm not psychologically in a space, I still have to opt out.
And that's when it starts to suck.
But staying inside when you wantto stay inside is fine, but
staying inside when you don't want to and you can't just push
yourself past a certain point oryou become paralyzed to a
certain degree in your fear of the unknown thing.

(11:32):
That's when it it becomes disabling as opposed to just
being like a character trait. It's not very cute and quirky.
No it's not they they don't makea cute TikTok to Roosevelt
agoraphobia only infographic only.

(11:53):
If we don't get, we don't get fun.
Relatable means. I'm just imagining, you know,
those TikTok girlies who are come like come with me for a day
in my life. But it's like agoraphobia.
I can like version. And then I just get up.
Off the couch and then. And then I put the cover back
over myself. This is my emotional support

(12:16):
hoodie at that. So like this is this is what if
I go outside, people are like, you're adorable.
And I'm like, I'm safe. Well, and if you're wearing the
same hoodie, you can predict that they will likely say, oh,
that's such a cute hoodie and you already have your social
like, OK, I know what they're going to say to me.

(12:36):
It's not raining. I know where I'm going.
Predictable. Yes, yes.
Wow, wow, you actually just madethat make sense for me.
Yes, I do it so people recognizeme and they greet me with warmth
and familiarity, which makes me feel really good.
Wow, familiarity if. That's a good word, I.

(12:56):
Like that, like I'm OK being thepurple lady because then they
go, oh, there's the purple lady,She's coming or they see my name
and, and no, you know, the receptionist will be like hope
to see you in your signature color.
And I'm like, oh, that makes me want to come outside.
Thank you. Like it feels good.
So no, thank you. Wow.

(13:18):
It it is a part of my, my safetynet or my, my bag of tricks when
I have to go outside. Oh, I like.
That bag of tricks, OK, I can't wait to get into that when we
get to like the tips and tricks,yes.
Yes, yes. Thank you for sharing a little
bit about that. I think obviously chronic
illness in general is like a very personal thing to talk

(13:39):
about, but I feel like especially when you get into
like mental health and anxiety, I don't know why, but that just
feels so much more uncomfortableto talk about.
So I appreciate you sharing the.Invisible illnesses are so hard.
The ones that people don't see manifest into something physical
that they can believe. It's like, oh man, well, this is

(14:02):
real. Like I've had to convince my
family that it's real. I've had to send like YouTube
videos like, hey, here are the signs of someone not being
comfortable or, you know, we have those.
Here are things not to say to your chronically I'll family
member or partner. And it's like, here are some

(14:23):
things not to say to the invisible illness person who has
a mult. I have a multitude of invisible
illnesses because even allergiesare invisible illnesses.
And it's just like, hey, Can youbelieve me the first time?
Like I don't, I don't want to have to have to cry in front of
you because the sounds of incoming traffic plus the songs

(14:47):
in the car and my car sickness are all culminating into a
mental breakdown. You're like, oh, this is real.
Like just believe me when I'm athome and I tell you that I
struggle with this thing and sometimes that is the hardest
part about having chronic illness.
If they see you do it yesterday,they're like, why can't you do

(15:09):
it today? Why do you?
No, I don't. I don't want to.
Right. You're like dynamic disability,
K guys. Dynamic.
I can do it yesterday, doesn't mean I can do it today.
And if anything, if I did it yesterday, I definitely can't do
it today. Wow, yes, yes, I say.

(15:32):
You know, like you don't know. You just no, no.
No, but no. It resonates with me because
it's like, yes, this, these, that you're actually giving me
language that I can use with friends and family going
forward. Like no dynamic disability means
that I'm not doing this twice ina row.
I can't. I cannot do it 2 times over.

(15:54):
Yeah, yeah. It's like I actually just saw a
funny meme that was like when getting ready to go out is more
work than the going out itself, you know, like you get all ready
and you're like, OK, mobility aid, check, heating pad, check.
You're like doing all these things and then you're like, OK,
I'm ready to go out and you're like, Oh dear God, I have to go

(16:16):
out now. I have.
To go outside and smile, right and.
Be like, yes, this is so fun andyou're like, it is, but also my
knees hurt and I want to go backhome.
I. Did that for my birthday.
I went to this, I went to the Blue Note jazz club and it took
so much effort to get outside just for us to get to this place

(16:38):
and they have wooden chairs. I was furious.
I was like, I'm so uncomfortable.
I was like, I didn't. I came all the way out here on
my birthday. Y'all have wooden chairs with no
cushion? It just the, the IT did not feel
I was like, this is when they'relike, you know, do you have any,
any, anything to put in the comment box?

(16:59):
I'm like cushions for these chairs.
No one is coming here to sit in a wooden chair for an hour.
This is not good for people who don't have chronic illness.
People have sciatica. OK, This is not this is not OK.
So just simple things like that are like, what if the chair,

(17:19):
what if there is no seating, 'cause you know, they've taken
seating from so many places. Like those are the kind of
things that the agoraphobia brain brings up.
And you're like, I gotta go lookat pictures of the venue now I
gotta, I gotta, it's so much work.
And then people like, why aren'tyou?
Why are you enthusiastic? So I figured if I'm at least

(17:43):
colorful, they'll, they'll thinklike, oh, she put effort into
it. She's happy, right?
I love that I also. Mask full time.
So people never know how I feel for real.
And that's also like a, a thing for me.
Like I, I wear masks still when I go outside, like, you know,

(18:04):
the KN 95 masks, which are also purple my my mask.
So when I'm outside, people are just like, oh, she's just
colorful and thriving in anonymity.
Like I feel mysterious like Carmen San Diego, but purple.
And they're like, where is she going?
What is she doing with what's upwith her?

(18:26):
And I'm just going to physical therapy, but I'll.
You look good. Cool, which makes me feel better
and then I'm like OK, I'm going to take my purple ass home like
I want to go inside. No, I.
Like that. I like that.
Oh, this is so fun. OK, for listeners to the
podcast, for the love of God, goto the video.

(18:49):
OK. Sorry, I'm just like, we're
talking, we're talking so much about how like much of A purple
gorilla you are. And I'm like, Oh my gosh, no
one's getting it the way I'm getting they have to.
See it? Yes.
You just, you have to see it to believe it.
OK. You've mentioned a couple times
like chronic pain and things like that.
And today we wanted to kind of focus on adenomyosis and

(19:13):
endometriosis. So tell me a little bit about
your story and then we can get into the things that are making
your life easier. Lovely.
So I was diagnosed with endometriosis first.
I had done some research about my long periods and menstrual

(19:34):
pain. And like, some of the distress I
was feeling that I didn't feel like was very normal.
And I had asked my doctor about it and she was just kind of
like, what are the odds that it's that?
And that was the beginning of a long journey from 2017 to my

(19:57):
official diagnosis, which was in21.
Dealing with just, you know, theBand-Aid solutions, birth
control, yoga, positive thinking.
And I'm just like, hey, I have amenstrual cycle that lasts about

(20:19):
30 days. I have no relief and I don't
think this is normal. So I was able to find a
reputable, wonderful Jew that referred me to a surgeon.
And one of my biggest struggles was them telling me that, like,

(20:40):
your future as a woman will haltif you get a hysterectomy.
Who will want you if you do not have childbearing years left in
you. And I'm like, I am in a lot of
pain though, so it doesn't matter how old I am.
And when I met my doctor, DoctorChan, I love her.

(21:02):
She was just like, hey, let's gotake a look at this thing.
And she discovered in a laparoscopic surgery both
endometriosis and adenomyosis. So I had the tissue growing
outside of the uterus and inside, and it was causing me
double inflammation and a lot ofphysical distress.

(21:27):
You know, a lot of people don't realize that endometriosis
doesn't just wreak havoc on yourmenstrual cycle.
It psychologically creates anxiety for you because you your
body is becoming unpredictable. You think, OK, this is a light
day. And then the light day becomes

(21:47):
hell. Or you find yourself in a
position where intimacy is hard,sex hurts, that that bottom of
the pelvic floor pain even, you know, going to the bathroom can
be painful. And that is just that's where I

(22:10):
was just like, I can't even do regular stuff.
Like somebody, somebody do something, someone recommend
something to me. And it was Doctor Chan.
She went, she showed it to me just like this is what we saw
with the camera. She was like, you weren't
imagining this thing. And she was so validating as a
hair provider because women are not believed in medical spaces

(22:35):
that it's like, but it's my body.
I live in it every day. And I'm telling you, it's not.
And she was one of the first people to see me, see me as the
person that was in pain and not just as a woman who needs to
bear children and and appease the patriarchy with my body as

(22:55):
the form of service. She was just like, if you're in
pain, we're gonna solve for it. So in 2024, I had a
hysterectomy, so I am. I had my hysterectomy on
Valentine's Day. It was so memorable and it was

(23:19):
so scary, but I had to tell myself like, there's a chance
you can get your life back. Because at that point I was
like, if the pain stays trigger warning, I'm going because I
can't be in this vessel. It isn't working.
It's not working the way you know it's supposed to.

(23:41):
It's not. It's not agreeing with me.
And at this point I have to movehow my body wants and not me
controlling my body. So after the hysterectomy I
struggled emotionally because then I started to think about
all those things that all the doctors had said about the child

(24:02):
bearing years and even dating currently.
Like that is something that I have to tell people.
Like, if you want children, thisis probably not the place for
you. And having to deal with people
being like, yeah, that is something that is very important
to me, no matter how much of a fully encompassing package and

(24:24):
being OK with the fact that I made that choice for myself.
And I, I chose me. So there was no one else I was
thinking about in the grand scheme of things when it came to
making the decision to have the hysterectomy.
And I don't regret it. Like I have not had endo or a
dental pain since. Thank you.

(24:48):
And you know, there's always theopportunity for it to re emerge.
We know that, you know, 'cause it's a chronic illness, there is
no cure. And that's also one of the
hardest parts about having a thing that people can't see
that's happening inside of your body.
It's telling people more green juice, no Raspberry leaf tea, no

(25:13):
thank you I've tried it. Like when you have to validate
yourself by saying hey I've beenin this discovery process for a
long time. Doctor Chan was one of the first
doctors to tell me without symptoms there is no diagnosis.
So people invalidating your experience because you don't

(25:34):
have an official diagnosis or name for your thing doesn't even
make sense. She's like, because unless The
thing is wrong, you won't even know.
So look, and I was just like, wow, thank you.
And that was something that I started to reiterate to people
like, I know I don't have a namefor this thing yet, but I think

(25:54):
that this is what it is. And people just being like, I
don't know what endometriosis is, but how would you know if
you have it? And I'm like, because I'm
reading, I'm looking at, you know, I used to read a lot of
the medical essays just to ungaslight myself because if because
I didn't understand dynamic disability and chronic illness,

(26:15):
I'm like, OK, well, I'm OK today.
So maybe it was just an off day,but like, if the off days are
every two weeks, you start to tell.
Like I was literally gasping myself.
Well, are you feel better today?Like this one wasn't so bad.
And it's like, no, no, no, no, no, yesterday is not today.

(26:36):
And like, please give yourself some grace.
So I've been navigating it. I've been navigating the world
around no menstrual cycles at all and still having like the
ebbs and flows, hormonal shifts.And I've been talking about it

(26:59):
more, talking about it more to women, my ageing younger who are
struggling with making the big decision.
Because if hysterectomy is something that sounds good to
you, but it doesn't sound good to your mom, it doesn't sound
good to your dad. People start worrying about
grandkids and words like legacy.I am not a Princess like my

(27:24):
heirs. What about my?
Gosh, you're so right. What about your heirs?
I'm not a Targaryen. No one cares.
Like what about the purple hair?Isn't going to get passed down.
What? No, it's not going to and I will
be Let me be fourth game back. I have children already.

(27:44):
This is what made it so funny. I have them.
I have teenagers at that. Oh, like, but what if you meet a
man who wants you to have his baby?
And I'm like, I don't know. Well, then we.
Can go get one at the store. What do you mean what this is
what? I said was like, we can, no,
literally, we can go get one. Yeah, I know.

(28:07):
Getting it at. The store is maybe the wrong way
to put no, that is no, we're going to Babies-R-Us.
That's where you get babies from.
You go get a baby from Babies-R-Us or you grow one in
your garden. It's 2020, 5A fish.
I would love a fish. I was like I was a.
Cabbage Patch Doll, you're right.
A cabbage patch doll. Good here one.
It smells real good. You have a.

(28:29):
Kitten. I would love a kitten.
Kitten. It's basically a child.
I've I've been slept in days. So, you know, can't that manic
kid? So I, I realized that, like a
lot of people just deal with everyone else's expectations and
not the reality of how they're feeling inside.

(28:55):
Like they don't understand the internal turmoil that happens.
And then the mental health collapse that happens is you're
trying to make these decisions. And there were a few months
after my hysterectomy, I was like, did I do the right thing?
Because I don't feel so great. And I didn't know if there was,
if it was normal. I didn't know anyone who went

(29:18):
through it. And I just kept asking my
doctor, I'm like, am I OK? I felt like I was devoid of any
feelings. It's sexuality, happiness.
I didn't feel happy about my decision just because there was

(29:40):
relief. I was like this relief.
But I don't feel like myself. I don't feel like this is a
familiar place in my body. So that's been the longer
journey since having the hysterectomy is accepting that
there's a part of my life that has ended with my body, but then
I have to breathe new life into this new version of my body that

(30:04):
has been tampered with for a lack of better terminology.
Like when I look at my body, I see, you know, the little
laparoscopic dots on my stomach.And I'm like, this is a part of
me now. This is, you know, certain
areas. The nerve endings aren't the
same. Also, I had a partial

(30:27):
hysterectomy so I don't have a cervix anymore which is really
interesting. Yep.
So really your body is not the same and the parts of the side
are not operating at the same rate.
So you, I'm relearning my body and engaging in a intentional

(30:47):
sexual journey of exploration with myself, which is really
nice. That's probably the coolest part
about all of this. It's like, wow, I get to go find
out what my body likes again andI'm starting with me, you know,
is it I, I used to avoid internal penetration, but not

(31:09):
because of the pain. And it's like, do I like that
now? That makes sense.
Oh my gosh. Like do is that, is that a thing
for me now? And I'm like, can I, can I do it
at the same time? Like, is that a thing?
And I'm, I'm just literally sitting here and I'm like, you
have to deal with yourself firstbecause otherwise you'll feel
like I should know this. But I'm like, no, I don't know

(31:30):
if I like that anymore. Let's see.
It's actually become really exciting.
I got this little journal that I'd like label my sex journal.
And I just talked about like, Hey, I tried this and this was
nice or this doesn't do it for me anymore.
I'm not as enthusiastic about certain things and explaining

(31:52):
that to potential partners like,hey, this is new for me.
Like even if you were a former partner of mine, my body is not
is not under the same management.
We are operating in a pain free,very intentional and full of

(32:13):
exploration. So like I'm open to trying
things where, as you know, previously it's like, I know
what works and I know it doesn't.
Now I'm in a space where like, I'm not sure, let's see, let's
see if it. And I, I like that at 34, like
you get to figure out if you have new points of stimulation,

(32:35):
new erogenous zones, or, you know, discovering that you have
like less sensation in certain places.
So my doctor was explaining to me that cervical orgasms are
like top tier for some people. So when you don't have a cervix
anymore, oh, it's gone, it goes away.
So then you end up relying more like G spot penetration and

(33:01):
stimulation or clitoral stimulation.
Like I didn't realize until I spoke to my doctor about it.
She's like, yeah, you're not going to get the same sensations
because you're getting cervical based orgasms and you don't have
a cervix anymore. So things like that have have
been keeping me busy as I'm likerelearning my body, what parts

(33:23):
did what thing. And boy, don't you, you don't
know what you've got till it's gone.
And finding out like what the pleasure epicenter is for my
body now. So that that's been like my post
hysterectomy journey, which has made life cool and fresh and
exciting. But also like, it's, it's a real

(33:47):
stage of curiosity about myself that I can't say that I've been
in since like the beginning of my sexual exploration, which
started when I was like a kid, you know, just like figuring out
sensations on my body. Like, I remember when I was a
kid and discovered that like, nipples get hard.

(34:09):
I was so flabbergasted. And I, I learned it in the
shower, like, you know, the coolness of taking off your
clothes. And I was like, what does my,
what does my body look different?
Oh, that's a temperature thing. So I feel like I'm, I'm learning
different things about myself because I took that big step and

(34:33):
it ended up giving me my life back in a, in a way that I
didn't expect, right? OK.
Thank you. That was like.
Such an interesting this is yourfriendly reminder that you are
listening to this for free. Learning about chronic illness,
mental health, and other important topics for free.

(34:56):
But this does cost time and money to make, and you could be
getting a lot more. Click the Patreon link in the
description to get access to video episodes, free merch, and
bonus interviews where we may talk about things that have to
be cut from the main apps. And did I mention that there's
no ads? Not only do you get these very

(35:18):
cool things, but you can also support the pod because, like I
said, you're listening for free.Give me.
A dollar and I will give you lots of cool stuff in return.
That's my pitch anyway. OK hear me out.
I know y'all have food allergies.

(35:38):
This is a chronic illness pod. I am aware of my audience.
You're gluten free or dairy freeor something free or who knows,
maybe you just got diagnosed with gastroparesis.
What I do know is that belly baking mixes are yummy and all
the bad things free. Plus, they were made with
collagen and other vitamins, meaning they're not only not bad

(36:02):
for you, they're good for you. Click the.
Link in the description to try them out and get 20% off with
code sickest on me. The brownies are bomb by the
way. Y'all Literally my favorite now
that I think about it. I may go make some right now
anyway. I think hearing your experience

(36:27):
with that is so interesting and relatable.
Like I am currently, I currentlyhave a hysterectomy.
So it is so cool to hear other people's experience and like you
kind of saying you're relearningyour body and also the like
cervix thing, I'm like about to go tell everyone I've ever known

(36:50):
something that maybe. They don't need to Yes, Oh my
gosh, no. When my doctor told me that, I
was just like, that explains so much.
And I realized that there was when I had first had a sexual
experience after my hysterectomy, I was like,
something is missing. And I kept trying to sort

(37:11):
through it, and I was talking tomy doctor about it.
I was like, Doctor Chan, something is missing.
I don't know. And she was just like, quite
literally, something is missing.She's like, yeah.
She's like, you're, you're that that sensation is not going to
be present anymore. And I was like, oh.
And Gee, I didn't, I didn't eventhink about it like that.

(37:36):
I didn't even, first of all, I didn't even realize how much the
cervix was tied to orgasms and sensitivity.
So I was just like, OK. I thought that's just what hurt
when they put in the IUDI didn'tknow it did Shatters, yeah.
No serious. So we're paying attention to
this thing. I just know that's where y'all

(37:56):
put the swab at. It doesn't feel good when y'all
do the swab. So when?
What do you mean? Like does that make sense?
No, it makes. Nerve endings, you're not
supposed to go in it, you're just supposed to tack up against
it. No, my mom was born and I've
been I've been telling my friends I'm like, hey, you want

(38:17):
to know something? I found out this is a really
important part of your, the surveys, the service has the,
it's the pleasure nerve ending. And when you have a
hysterectomy, having this area of your body manipulated just it
affects, you know, your pelvic strength.
Yeah, the floor muscles, all of it.

(38:39):
And it's like, no, I'm, I'm sitting here doing Kegels,
trying to just build the strength and the familiarity
like this, this body, I'm learning her every day.
Can I ask, So what were your symptoms before your
hysterectomy? Because I know you have

(39:01):
endometriosis and adenomyosis like you said, but I also know
that for some people a hysterectomy isn't a cure.
Like you said, it's not like a everything is completely fine
and dandy. You're dealing with new things
now. But tell me a little bit about
that. Like you said that it's, it's
like gone now that your uterus has gone.

(39:21):
So like, tell me what it was like before?
Like what symptoms were you wereexperiencing?
So. Symptoms that I was experiencing
before were chronic pain. So I found out that my uterus
had basically doubled in size and the inflammation was causing

(39:42):
pressure on my back. It was literally pushing
backwards and it was creating nerve damage because of the
pain. I also had bladder issues
because the adenomyosis had attached to my bladder, which is
something that they had to strategically disconnect.

(40:04):
It was giving me pain. And incontinence, because the
the tissues are just kind of doing whatever they want.
And I have prolonged menstrual cycles.
There were times where I would only get about a week of relief
in the month from it would just either be full-fledged full

(40:26):
cycle or just never ending spotting.
Like it just never goes away. You know, when you do that, that
courtesy wipe and you're like, yes, you don't really get that.
You don't really get the reprieve.
Yeah, yeah, you don't get it. And then even if you, cuz at at

(40:47):
a time during the discovery process, I was in a relationship
with someone who did not mind intimacy during menstrual
cycles, but then even that doesn't provide relief because
you're in pain all the time. So I realized that I was either
having pain during intercourse or immediately after, and it was
unforgiving pain that just made you feel like I shouldn't have

(41:12):
done that and pleasure should not feel that way.
But then you feel guilty about wanting to feel something good
because it immediately comes with the bad feeling, or the bad
feeling happens after, which kind of gives you a bit of a
drop emotionally. Right.
And those were like my biggest symptom.

(41:36):
Oh yes, and fatigue. I was tired all the time, tired
and nauseous all day long. The nausea was probably one of
the more unforgiving things 'cause it made it harder to
commute to work, cabs, cars, andyou wake up in the morning.

(41:56):
It's I try to tell people that it's everything you feel when
you're pregnant, minus the gratification of a baby growing.
So you get morning sickness, Eek.
You have inflammation that is literally making your stomach
grow because endo blow is so real and you're feeling all of

(42:19):
these different things, but there is no celebration for what
you're going through. If anything, I used to get upset
when people thought I was pregnant and I wasn't.
I was just really inflamed and I'm like, please stop looking at
me. So that's when I started wearing
more black. I also wore black because it was
safe because the breakthrough bleeding was awful.

(42:40):
It you know, when they asked youat the doctor like how many pads
are you going through? And I'm like, pads, what's time
for pads? I don't have time for pads.
I said I have on, I have on, thanks.
I have a cup tampons to take care of the cup.
Like there is no and then you have to acknowledge when you

(43:01):
just can't go because the first period, the first day of your
period is like the worst day, but then there is no reprieve
until it's like absolutely over.I realized I would, you know, be
at work and it's like I can't stand anymore or sitting.
I can't, I need to lay down and trying to explain that to male

(43:27):
supervisors, bosses that you're not that comfortable with and
they don't need, you don't have to like disclose, but then you
end up feeling like you have to disclose because it's something
that is so unpredictable and very frequent.
And we don't get a lot of grace here in America for those kind

(43:49):
of things. So when you're talking to
someone who also menstruates andthey're just like, how bad is
this, this, this cramps and Advil and let's go.
And I'm like, I can't do advils.I can't actually come to work
the first two days of my cycle or I have to call out because my

(44:11):
body is just not feeling up to it.
I realized that the chronicness of it all is what makes
endometriosis and the dental mammals working together the
hardest because there is no break for your body.
So even if you don't have the pain, you still have the
fatigue, you still have the emotional ups and downs, you

(44:35):
still have the discomfort in your overall body.
So endo bloat is not always followed by pain, but pain can
be followed by endo bloat. And it's like a cocktail of
really crappy symptoms that all culminate into you just

(44:56):
realizing that my body is betraying me and I should
probably just stay inside. And that's how I ended up
becoming agoraphobic because I'mjust like every time I go
outside something bad happens orsomething troubling happens in
my body. I never forget.
I was on the train one time and I thought I was fine and all of

(45:21):
a sudden I start to feel this would trickle down and I was so
happy I had black slacks on. I was absolutely mortified.
And I had to run off the train and try to hop in a cab because
I knew I couldn't walk around like this.
And I I was so upset. Like, I was so upset because it

(45:45):
felt like I could not live without my body trying to
embarrass me in some way, shape or form.
And that's what made the hysterectomy easier.
It's like, do I sit here and fight this fight with birth
control? And, you know, they'll tell you,
oh, go have a child to help. Do I sit here?
Yeah, and it's like all the solutions you try all the

(46:08):
things, all the yoga, all the, all the the root herbs and
mushrooms and you realize that there is only one way to combat
the thing if it's your option, like, 'cause it's not everyone's
desire or option. But when it came to me, I was

(46:29):
just like, I'm willing to try. I'm willing to try and see if I
can get some relief and be able to live because I felt like I
wasn't living anymore. I was kind of just surviving in
my body and I was very unhappy with it.
I didn't want to feel what I wasfeeling, and I felt very

(46:55):
inadequate just as a person because I felt like I wasn't
reliable. I felt like I had pain or lack
of management of my pain made meall the things that people kind
of thought I was because they couldn't see my illness.
So things like flighty, Oh, you know, she's sometime me.

(47:15):
Sometime me was a really big trigger for me because I'm like,
I'm not sometime me. Sometimes I'm in pain and
sometimes I'm not. Sometimes it hurts and sometimes
it doesn't. And even other women can be
invalidating because it's like, girl, we all got periods, Girl,
we all have, we all have cramps and it's like, not this.

(47:38):
So now when they see me and I'm talking about these things and
I, you know, share when I'm on podcast or when I write things
and I'm like, wow, I had no idea.
Or now they see more people talking about endometriosis.
I love organizations like Endo Queer because they don't just
center female identifying peoplein their in their messaging.

(48:04):
It's like, hey, there are trans men and trans women who are
dealing with endometriosis and this is what it looks like for
them to receive care and for them to receive validation in
these these vessels that we have.
Right. But it it was really important
for me to write down my symptomsand to document those things

(48:27):
because I needed it for me to validate me.
And then I needed it to communicate with my doctors,
which I'm sure is segues into my, my tips.
Oh. My gosh, look at you hosting on
my podcast. No, no, no, no.
No, no, I just, I was trying. I remembered the questions.

(48:49):
I remembered the questions. I was so excited.
No, I'm, Oh my gosh, I'm learning so much and I'm
relating so much to your story. So don't.
I'm, I'm pumped. We can talk forever.
OK, yes. Tell me a little bit about what
things are making your life easier or did make your life
easier pre hysterectomy. Prehysterectomy Things that made

(49:15):
my life easier. Heating pads, heating packs, ice
packs. Super important white noise for
the times when I used to tell friends and family that my pain
was very loud. It would be so intense that I
couldn't take in information, I couldn't communicate.

(49:37):
And sometimes the white noise would just help to distract my
body from the, the pain that's kind of radiating.
And the more my pain is rating, I'm like, it's, it's really loud
right now. It's, it's getting to the point
where like I'm not able to review people.
And it was very important for meto be able to communicate that

(50:00):
language. Language like dynamic
disability, ambulatory disabled person, you know, being able to
say the thing. You have to educate yourself on
what you may even think is wrongso that you can, you know,

(50:20):
sometimes they're like, don't goonline.
Just wait for the doctor to tellyou.
It's like it's OK to go online and see if what you're feeling
in your body aligns with the thing.
Because sometimes people will belike, hey, that's not your job.
And it's like, it is my job to know what chronic fatigue is.
So I people aren't just telling me like, oh, you're just sleepy
a lot. Like, you're not, You got to get

(50:41):
more sleep. And it's like, well, one of the
reasons why I'm fatigued is because I don't get sleep well,
because my body hurts. And you end up, you know,
tossing and turning. So arming yourself with language
and writing things down, even ifit's just a note in your phone.
I have a note that's like for mydoctors and I have, you know,

(51:02):
little categories, anything new that I need to tell my doctor or
anything recurring that I need to tell my doctor because I
still see doctors pretty frequently.
You know, whether it's like a video visitor going in person
when they're like, is there something new being patient
zero, I have to make sure that Iknow if it's a new thing or an

(51:23):
old thing because you have to stay on top of of the things.
And that was like my biggest, mybiggest thing.
Oh, and a 10s device. 10s devices.
Yeah. God, I have a 10s device.
You got. It's so good because when the

(51:44):
ice pack and the heating pack can't get to the the pelvic
pain, the 10s devices have neverfailed me and just helping to
stimulate the muscle, even if you're just you feel it's just
making the muscle jump somethingto feel something other than
pain. So those those were my my big

(52:05):
ones before my hysterectomy. This distractions writing things
down and comfort being comfortable.
It pants with elastics. I stopped wearing jeans pre
hysterectomy. I was like, denim is not

(52:26):
forgiving. And you know, trying to put put
the button together. It's like if I happen to get
bloat, like it's going to be really uncomfortable.
Elastic pants, drawstring pants.If it's not drawstring, I'm not
wearing. Get a cute little matching set.
OK, you know, don't. Wear jeans.
Don't wear jeans. Jeans are not your friend.

(52:48):
They're not. Believe me.
I I hear you. OK.
Those are really good. And I, I honestly really am kind
of flabbergasted by the idea of like white noise as like a
distraction or to kind of like soothe your nervous system.
That's genius. I'm going to be using that
please. Do I do that And audiobooks?

(53:10):
Audiobooks are my thing now if Ifeel myself overwhelmed with
just like if I'm preparing to gooutside and I feel like those
agoraphobia triggers. Audiobooks are really nice
because it's really about distracting and grounding
yourself. I even listen to them when I'm
outside, which is, you know, the, the self-care starts at

(53:31):
home. So I kind of create these things
for myself. I listen to white noise when I'm
outside because I'll have my headphones in and it's like I
don't want to hear traffic and talking.
And it reminds me of, you know, being in bed and being
comfortable even when I'm outside or I dress in something
that I would normally wear in the house that makes me feel at

(53:55):
home with myself. But the white noise is really
great for the days where I'm like, I can't stop thinking
about how much pain I'm in. And some, my favorite is box
fan. I love box fan, love the sound
of box fan and rain. Rain is another really nice one.
I love rain. Or there's some on like Spotify.

(54:19):
It's like different sounds of water running through a Creek.
Bubbling Brook. Bubbling Brook.
Bubbling brook is my favorite. Love that one.
I love hearing like the sound ofthe water over the rocks and it
passing through. It's it's so soothing for the

(54:40):
nervous system and can just giveyou the opportunity to picture
something else besides where you're laying right now feeling
terrible. Yeah, that's genius.
I love that. I'm like, I'm excited to try
that. So I'm hoping someone listening
to this will as well. But so post hysterectomy, are

(55:03):
you doing anything besides kind of like you said, educating the
people around you and just taking care of your body?
Yes, more exercising, more moving my body because I can.
Now there was a time before my hysterectomy, it I exercised, it
would probably leave me at a deficit.

(55:23):
Yeah, like I said, I can't if I did it yesterday, I can't do it
today. People be like, oh, go for a
walk and I'm like, I did that yesterday and they're like,
well, do it again. And I'm like, there is no,
there's no twice in a row. So I started going to physical
therapy post hysterectomy. It was something I asked my
doctor to give me a referral to do.

(55:44):
And my physical therapist, Melissa is so great because she
started me with arms. You know, things that make me
feel active even if I'm not truly being active.
Resistance bands are my favoritebecause strengthening and
stability from my hysterectomy. I was on 12 weeks of bed rest.

(56:09):
Yeah, my body was in bad, bad shape.
So most people have like half that I was on.
I was, I was on bed rest for 12 weeks because the between
removing the adenomyosis and theendometriosis, I was on a lot of
pain. It was a twofold scenario.

(56:29):
And then I also had another doctor checking my bladder to
make sure that it was OK from having everything removed.
So they had done a my surgery was about 3 hours from them just
looking and making sure they goteverything.
And from the recovery and the bed rest, my legs got really

(56:51):
weak, my back was very weak. And I was able to build myself
up with the help of my physical therapist.
And it was, it was really great because I was able to push
myself. She was always really good about
like, we will find things to talk about.
And she's watching me, you know,go beyond my usual reps and

(57:18):
she's just talking to me. And she's like, see, you did 20.
And I'm like, Oh my gosh, yes, Idid.
Thank you. Outside of physical therapy,
talk therapy, talk therapy, I goweekly and I talked to my
therapist about the ebbs and flows of life and also my

(57:39):
relationship with my body. And she knows that that is very
important thing for me because you can get a bit of of body
dysmorphia when you are removingreproductive parts.
And even if you weren't interested in having any
children or anymore, there is just you feel like you feel the

(58:00):
missing part. You, you can press on your
stomach and realize it's just different now.
And having someone to talk to regularly about navigating life
in this body who was around, youknow, before my hysterectomy.
And she's just taking those things seriously.
Like it's OK if you say you feelless.

(58:22):
That was a big thing for me. I'm like, I feel less than I was
before this. I feel like something is missing
and being validated and like there is there is, but that
hasn't taken away from who you are.
Journaling is a big one for me post hysterectomy I even if it's

(58:44):
not like writing it down. Sometimes I do audio journals
telling my family and friends not to ask me how I'm feeling
because sometimes it's a bummer and I don't want you to try and
figure out what to say after I say I feel as bad as I did
yesterday or I feel terrible today.

(59:04):
How are you like giving them different things to ask?
How's your body feeling? Today is a really big one for
me. Ask me how my body is doing
because sometimes that's the thing that takes precedence over
how I am emotionally or how I amin my environment.

(59:25):
My body is my first environment and then there's like the
physical space that I reside in.So even if my physical space is
doing really, really well, my body may not be and it doesn't
have anything to do with the other.
So like sometimes people think like, is there something bad
going on because your body doesn't feel well?
And I'm like, no, my body just decided it doesn't feel good.

(59:47):
Today I woke up on the wrong side of the bed and stayed
there. Try to try to take a nap, maybe
if my body wants to take a nap or if it wants to stay in like
fatigue limbo and not actually go to sleep right.
Like. Or I sat up all night thinking
about my mortality and I'm really tired today.

(01:00:09):
Hey, how are you right like? It's such a weird thing in
American culture to be like, hey, how are you?
But you're just supposed to say good.
You're not supposed to say anything else.
You could say great if you're really feeling good, yes, like.
So don't put me in a position where I have to lie.
Like I've, I've asked people like, hey, don't, don't ask that

(01:00:34):
if you can help it. Like I understand that, you
know, intention also matters, but it's like if you're coming
to me with a lot of great energyand I don't have it, I'm
probably fake it. So please, if you care about me,
maybe don't put me in a positionwhere I have to lie to you or
try to match energy that I don'thave or ask me if I'm in this

(01:00:58):
space. Like, do you have the capacity
to talk about something like that?
Giving them the newer language 'cause some days I don't have
the capacity. Some days I'm only thinking
about how I woke up this morningand how I feel and the emotions
related to that. And I'm not interested in having

(01:01:20):
conversations that I may feel like are more trivial or
centering other people. I still, you know, in spite of
having the hysterectomy, I stilldeal with fatigue.
I still have occasional nausea, but no pain.
But there are still times that Ihave discomfort in my body.
There are times when you know, pre menopausal symptoms is a

(01:01:45):
thing. Like sometimes I'm hot and hot
in my body temperature is uncomfortable.
So maybe I'm a little grumpy. And there's times where like as
chronically ill people were not allowed to be grumpy.
Like I'm, I don't feel good. I'm not, I'm not feeling it
today. And it's like it's so it's nice

(01:02:07):
outside. Go out for a walk.
Please don't tell me to go out for a walk.
Please don't, please don't tell me to go out for a walk.
If that was the solution to my problem, would have done it.
Why are you so grumpy? And I'm like, why did you make
me come outside my house, huh? Why are you so?
Grumpy. That's not 'cause my, my elbow

(01:02:27):
hurts, like I just something hurts today.
And I, I also realized that since having a hysterectomy,
even with my daughters, like it's like, OK, you're better
now, right? And it's like, no, no.
And that's, that's also like setting realistic expectations
as I've learned my body more just being like, just because

(01:02:49):
the surgery happened doesn't mean that the recovery stops.
It takes years for people to adjust to hysterectomy,
especially when you're not menopausal.
You want to balance your hormones and figure out, you
know, what's going on with yourself.
And some there were times after the hysterectomy, I felt like I

(01:03:11):
wasn't healing fast enough for people.
It's like, OK, you got the name of the thing.
You got the surgery for the thing.
Do you feel better? Not exactly.
I still have to live with the reality of the toll
endometriosis and the dental meiosis have taken on my body.

(01:03:33):
The full fledge recovery of likegetting my body to a point where
it's strengthened and operating at whatever its prime capacity
is. Because I don't get to dictate
that. I just get to, you know, take my
medicine, do my vitamins, drink my water, and even still, my
body could just be like, well, not today.

(01:03:55):
And I think sometimes that it's hard for people to acknowledge
or accept that part. Like even if my heart is in it,
even if we plan for it, if my body says not today, I need you
to accept the thing that I already accept about myself.
And I, I think I've spent a lot of time just continuing the

(01:04:15):
education of my friends and family being like, hey, there
are just some things that I'm not going to, I'm not going to
like the local football game. I'm not going to sit outside
with you guys to go to the thing.
I'm not going to that concert. If they don't have seats, I

(01:04:38):
can't take the train to this place.
And they've like, well, you, you're better, right?
And it's like, no, it's chronic,it's chronic and it's, it's
forever. Because again, you know,
education matters. Cause letting people know that
even though I've had surgeries, even though I've had these

(01:05:00):
changes in my body, there's still no cure.
This was just a preventative measure or my occurrence is?
So common too. Yes people have 3 to 4
endometriosis surgeries. Some people have a months apart.
Like it's not just it's literally like a parasite.
You miss little little microscopic amount.

(01:05:22):
Yep, it'll come. Back, yeah.
And then it's like, then sometimes I'll have family like,
well, then what was the point? And I'm like relief, even if
it's even if it's just for todayor tomorrow, It's like I didn't
want to sit in a brain fog because I was on like heavy pain
meds. Like I did this for relief and I

(01:05:45):
think that the education for yourself never really stops.
And also helping other people, you know, and just being able to
talk about the thing has helped me a lot.
Just realizing like, wow, you really aren't by yourself.
And there are other people who are feeling this thing in their
bodies and they don't necessarily know if it's just a

(01:06:08):
regular thing or if it's something to red flag.
And it's like if you are feelinglike you are overwhelmed by the
oncoming of a menstrual cycle, you should probably talk to your
doctor. You should probably talk to an
advocate of some sort and find some information, find a YouTube

(01:06:32):
video that you know, kind of breaks down symptoms, cause
symptoms are like the most important thing for me and being
able to say like, hey, I've feltthis, this nausea way too many
times back-to-back or I'm, I'm not actually going down with the
inflammation. So I found out some of my

(01:06:53):
inflammation was 'cause I'm gluten intolerant, which I found
out like 2 months ago. So like things like that or just
the, the, the fight hasn't stopped for me yet.
It's like, you know, we they're trying to get me to be the most
comfortable version of myself that I can be in this body.

(01:07:13):
And endometriosis and adenomyosis were my big things.
But then as a result of like notexercising a whole lot, being on
extended bed rest, you get, you know, you gain weight, then you
have like weight gain related health issues, have muscle

(01:07:33):
atrophy related issues. And it's like building myself
back up from this endometriosis,adenomyosis diagnosis has been
a, a post hysterectomy journey in itself.
Because now that I can do more, I can do more.
But also having to acknowledge that like I can't push my body

(01:07:55):
past a certain point just because someone thinks I should
or thinks that I can or just 'cause I think I can.
It's like you, I really have to listen to my body today.
So I, I've developed that language just from the sake of
my communication. Like, hey, I asked my body how I
was feeling today and it said it's not up to that.

(01:08:16):
And people realizing that it's ait's an entity that I have to
deal with my whole life. I have to ask my body how it's
feeling and what it feels like doing today.
And there are times where I'm able to push myself.
I did my first solo trip last month.
I took a little respite for a few days and I traveled on the

(01:08:41):
plane and I've got back and, youknow, I used all the
accessibility options and when Icame back, I was just like, wow.
I got myself there through TSA and, you know, spent this whole
time mostly by myself. Three years ago, I never would

(01:09:01):
have thought that I could do that.
It was, it was the best feeling like it was one of my bigger
milestones from March that I planned a trip, executed a trip
and got myself back. I didn't forgo my mobility aids.
I made sure I had all of my things.
And like you said, it can be so overwhelming just getting to

(01:09:26):
getting yourself together. And I was able to give myself
enough time and plan ahead enough that when it was time to
execute the thing, I did not disappoint myself.
Like, I was really, really proudthat I took a solo trip and got
myself there and back. And it was, like, the most

(01:09:50):
empowering thing I did this yearbecause before then, I hadn't
traveled by myself since 2017. It have been that long since,
Like, that. Your journey?
Yeah. Yep, 'cause once I started
feeling their pain, it's like, Oh no, no, no away trips.
Not by yourself at least cause I've traveled, but I haven't
traveled alone. This was the first time I packed

(01:10:12):
a little backpack in and did something for myself and it, I
was so happy to tell my therapist and my doctors and
they're like, Oh my gosh, that'slike real progress.
Like you felt good enough and comfortable enough to go out and
do the thing and book your own flight and book your own hotel.
And I'm slowly but surely takingback bits of independence after

(01:10:37):
having been care taken for so long by like friends and family
and partners. So it's, it's about gaining that
independence back post surgery or post, I guess what people
would consider to be like my resolution in the grand scheme
of this journey with adenomyosisand endometriosis and just

(01:11:01):
listening to my body just in case it starts showing signs
that maybe it has returned. Because we know that that is a
very real reality, whether we like to believe it or not or
want it to happen or not. And not being not fearing the
future like I don't think about it some there was a time when I

(01:11:22):
did like how long will I have the relief?
Instead of thinking about how long I have the relief, I just
get out of my own way so that I can do stuff so I can at least
say that I lived like mother lives.
She did the thing. She went outside, she wore the
brightest color she could, and she let the world see her as she

(01:11:46):
is instead of feeling like hiding was the solution when the
the thing was happening. Yeah.
Wow, OK. I feel like this is like a great
way to end the episode. Yes, that was amazing.
I feel like I've learned a lot from your story and I feel like

(01:12:06):
the listeners will as well. I think adenomyosis in
particular doesn't get talked about as much as endometriosis.
So getting to hear your experience and also like knowing
hysterectomy is good for adenomyosis, but like for
endometriosis, there is a high chance of reoccurrence like
right, things like that. I think it's being.
On my bladder was a huge one, like the adenomyosis.

(01:12:31):
I was just like, why is my like my bladder was having trouble
emptying itself. It was a lot of like different
things and they showed it to me.They were like, it's, it's
connected itself to the bladder and like, adenomyosis really
doesn't get talked to enough. Like we should definitely, like,
I'm excited to share this with some of my friends because it's

(01:12:54):
like, I thought I just had endometriosis.
My doctor found the adenomyosis.I didn't even know what that
was. Yeah, I'm, I'm glad we got to
talk about it. She's like, well.
That doesn't look right. Yes.
That. What's that?
And I was like, I don't know. You tell me.
I know. You're like what a You're the

(01:13:15):
doctor, OK, For the listeners who maybe enjoyed hearing your
story, where can they find you? Where can they?
Where can they chat? Oh, you can find me on every
single platform except at at Goddess Gospel.

(01:13:35):
So that's GAWDDESSGOSPEL, and it's the same hand every
platform we don't support. What a.
Flex and that is so real. I yeah like I have a TikTok but
I don't. Anymore I.

(01:13:56):
Switched over to Xiaoheng Shu. So OK, I need to make a profile
actually. But I love that I I agree with
the the X thing. OK love the username really.
Such a flex to have it on all the platforms.
Oh my gosh. I recently changed it just
because it was available and I wanted to have the same name on

(01:14:19):
platform. I love that.
Well, guys, thank you. Clark, you're amazing.
You're so amazing. You're.
Amazing, you're so. Easy to talk to.
Like incredibly easy to talk to.Thanks.
That's like the best compliment.Yeah.

(01:14:40):
I really enjoyed chatting with you.
I feel like your energy is so good.
So I feel like the the episode, like people are going to love
this. But yeah, listeners, that is all
we have for you today. Otherwise, I'm Clark, this is
Blaine. And this has been chronically
the sickest podcast, you know. That's all folks.

(01:15:05):
Thank you so much for listening.If you liked this episode, click
that follow up button on your podcast app of choice to get
notified every other week. You can find the podcast on
Instagram and TikTok at Chronically the Sickest Podcast.
Let me know if you have any questions or just want to chat.
I love hearing from y'all. Until next time, I'm Clark, and
this has been Chronically the Sickest podcast you know.

(01:15:34):
Disclaimer, this is a conversational podcast and while
we make sure our diagnosis journey, symptoms and treatment
plan, this is not medical advice.
If you have any questions regarding your health, please
reach out to your doctor and have a great day.