Well, the time has come, the last passion blog post of the semester. I have had so much fun teaching all of you about the importance of understanding women’s health care, chronic pain, and overall womanhood. All around, I have grown as a writer from these weekly posts that have given me a safe space […]
Author: ire5019
Let’s Have a Conversation on Abortion
Abortion is an emotional topic in America right now. Whether you are upset about your healthcare rights being taken away or horrified that people would even consider getting an abortion, it is a conversation that is hijacked by emotions from either side of the spectrum. I fall on the side that is upset about my […]
Let’s Have a Conversation on Birth Control
There are two words society hates more than periods: Birth control. Growing up going to a private, Catholic high school, I felt like I had to keep the fact that I was on birth control on the down-low. I was not even sexually active; I was just taking the medication to control my period patterns. […]
Let’s Have a Conversation on Growing Up as a Woman
Growing up. It is a hard concept to truly wrap your head around. One day, you close your eyes to sleep away after an exhausting first day of kindergarten, then suddenly open them in your dorm room after a long night out. Playing with barbie dolls and fighting your mom on taking your Flintstone gummy […]
Let’s Have a Conversation on Endometriosis as a Disability
Many people (including myself) struggle to define endometriosis as a disability. It is a hard to label to swallow, especially if you have not grown up being disabled. Keep in mind that I am not someone that actively fights for a disability label to be put on endometriosis. I know that there are people […]
Let’s Have a Conversation on Chronic Pain During the Holidays
As great as a break was from classes, assignments, and maybe the parties, I am glad to be back in State College. I missed my friends and routine I had at college. Unexpectedly, I missed writing these blog posts! I certainly enjoyed writing them in the fall semester, so I am glad to get back […]
Let’s Have a Conversation on Bad Days
We have made it to our last blog post! While sad, I had a unique experience that happened to me last week. While it was a little traumatic and most certainly uncomfortable, it allowed me to ground myself and connect with the person I was a few years ago. It is the perfect place to […]
Let’s Have a Conversation on Preparing for Endometriosis Excision Surgery
Surgery is scary. A Surgical Room Whether you are getting your wisdom teeth taken out or having a heart replacement, the anxiety surrounding surgery is still apparent and valid. Therefore, excision surgery for endometriosis generates a million questions and thoughts: “What if they do not find anything, where do I go from there?” “What […]
Let’s Have a Conversation on Mental Health and Chronic Pain
The pain caused by chronic illnesses like endometriosis causes debilitating stress and exhaustion for patients. Between the pain itself, medical bills, and missed workdays/school days, it is easy to fall victim to mental health issues. The anxiety seems to make the pain worse, so it becomes a never-ending, painful cycle. As a result, patients with […]
Let’s Have a Conversation on the Stigma Surrounding Invisible Illnesses
You probably think chronic pain is something the outside world can notice, like shingles or cerebral palsy. It was not until I began to experience reproductive pain related to endometriosis. However, I did not always experience life with chronic pain. I was just as ignorant of the reality of invisible illnesses. I did not grasp […]