Adapting to Endometriosis - The Diet

I love food. Love it. Cake, pasta, chocolate, chips, coleslaw, the list is endless - all the healthy stuff! So when I was diagnosed with Endometriosis, and was told that changing my diet could help, I wasn't exactly jumping for joy.

So here's the deal, cut out or reduce -

• Wheat - this includes cakes, bread, pasta (all the good stuff)
• Gluten
• Red meat
• Caffeine - (I probably drink an average of 8 cups of tea per day, which I know is a little excessive)
• Chocolate (Chocolate?! who doesn't eat chocolate?!)
• Dairy (including milk, cheese, and butter)
• Eggs
• Fried foods
• Alcohol

Wow....

I've certainly cut down my alcohol intake over the past few months having hardly left the house, which in turn has cut down fried food at the end of a good night out!
In reality, it is not as hard as it seems, Chicken, fish, salads and vegetables are all good (although apparently organic is better for me due to the toxins in non organic food), and if imagination is used could actually be quite tasty. But I do think I will struggle to cut out caffeine, chocolate and dairy. In fact, I think its safe to say that's just not going to happen, unless things get a lot worse.

So today I went out to lunch with my friend Dave (@atypicaldave - give him a follow). I had the best intentions, but looking down the menu, I was extremely limited. Pasta was a no no, pizza was a no no, burger was a no no, so I opted for a chicken wrap (which is a no no but I figured it was probably the lesser of the evils staring back at me from the menu). Once that was down, it came to dessert. I ordered cinnamon waffle and icecream (ooops - dairy, eggs, wheat and goodness knows what else)
All in all, going out with the best intentions I must say, it was a massive fail, but it was yummy!

I will definitely try to adapt my lifestyle and eating habits to try and help the symptoms of Endometriosis, but I guess it's not just going to happen over night.  I'm eating a pot of coleslaw whilst sat here typing this (ooops again).

If any endo girls are reading this and have any tips for meals or recipes - your comments would be hugely appreciated. I haven't worked out how to respond to any comments on this thing yet, I promise I am reading them though! Follow me on Twitter @kirstyfiskk it really has been a great help talking to girls going through this, and I hope hearing my story has helped spread awareness too.

Welcome Endometriosis

Last Wednesay I had my laparoscopy. Last Wednesday I faced my fear of anasthestic. Last Wednesday I welcomed something into my life that I am forced to live with for many years to come.

Welcome Endometriosis.

One of the hardest things I have to face is the question - are you feeling better now? Because as stupid as the answer sounds, no I am not. This is a chronic illness that cannot be cured. I will always be ill, I just have to learn to manage and adapt to it. I will work with it so that it shall be a part of me but never define me.

The good thing about this is it is known as the 'invisible disease' so when you see me I won't look ill. I will smile, I will laugh and I will be happy. That's who I am, no matter what is growing inside of me. 

This is a not so glam picture from after my surgery - Drugged up but still smiling! 

I am finding this blog really difficult to write, I have wanted to blog for a couple of days but in all honesty I haven't quite got my head around this yet, so to talk about it is really odd.

For now I will make this short, and I'll try to write more in the week.

Thank you to all my friends, family, and endo girls for your support.

The day before surgery...

I have been trying to keep myself busy the past few days so that I don't get caught up with the thoughts of hospital and surgery, which just so happens to be tomorrow.  I cannot believe how quick it seems to have come around.

I've really struggled with sleep the past few days, and each night I go to bed so tired and lethargic, but just don't seem to be able to sleep. Its a mixture of pain, discomfort and worry.  To be honest, as much as I am dreading the anesthetic, at least I'll get a good couple of hours sleep.

I have tidied and cleaned the house over and over again, because it feels like the only thing I'm in control of . It stops me thinking about Wednesday. In fact, I don't think our house has looked this tidy since the day we moved in 2 and a half years ago and it was empty!

I'm worrying about loads of things about Wednesday -

First off the anesthetic. I hope they give me enough so I can't feel anything, but then again, I hope they don't give me too much. Its hardly natural having the power to knock someone out with one tiny needle. 

Secondly I worry about the diagnosis. Is it or isn't it?  This has been going around and around in my head for so long now and I just need an answer, but at the same time I'm scared to hear the answer. If this is Endometriosis, then this is a chronic illness that could affect me for many years to come, and if it's not, then what on earth is it?  I'm trying to work out which is the lesser of two evils.

Thirdly, I worry about the recovery.  My pain threshold isn't exactly high, and speaking to others who have been through this surgery, the first couple of days after surgery are not nice at all.  I have bought in loads of cans of fizzy - thanks to people's advice!

However, all that said and done, I am really looking forward to returning to reality. I have let so many people down these past few months, having to pull out of things last minute. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful, understanding friends and family.  I am also really grateful to the community of girls I have met through Twitter. I never really understood the whole fascination with it, until now. I have been able to talk to other girls in my position, and have been able to get advice and support from them too. So a massive thank you to my friends, family, and endo girls -  I love you all tons!

Tonight a few of my friends are taking me to the cinema - that should definitely keep my mind off of everything. Then its an early night for me, and hopefully a good night sleep. I am due on the ward tomorrow at 7.30am and even typing that made my stomach turn. ARGH!

Thanks again for taking the time to read this, I will post an update later on this week.