The Daily Life
In 2023 we asked 22 South, Southeast and East Asian women living in British Columbia, Canada to share their stories of having endometriosis during the Covid-19 pandemic through photography. Endometriosis can impact every facet of someone’s life from their daily activities to careers to social activities. It can challenge their physical strength and emotional well-being. Despite the pain, isolation, loneliness, grief and hope, people with endometriosis are strong.
Thinking of time of the month and just two or three days before periods always felt blurry for me. So this photo shows how life goes on even if you are diagnosed with endometriosis and how it is not clear for you.
While an extreme and hyperbolic comparison, it often feels like stage 4 disease is often like being a prisoner in my own body. Pandemic lockdowns heightened the feelings of being trapped – physically and psychologically.
A light dusting of snow across an intersection at night, tire marks and grass barely visible. Reminded me how isolating it can be to have endo despite it a large population having it.
When the pain started, there was always this fear about how bad it would get, like venturing out in a dark forest without a map. ©
by rodionlyskov from Wallpapers.com
Endometriosis is an invisible disability at times because someone can look so vibrant on the outside, while suffering with deep darkness physically and emotionally as the disease exists inside my body.
This photo of fire (Danger) and flowers/tarot cards (Bliss/calmness) symbolizes how I felt during most of the months when I have periods and when I don’t. The 4- 5 days of danger, pain and bad mood and rest of the month with happiness/relaxation or the way I like!
The pain was often sharp and intense, like an open wound that kept being prodded. Once it started, it took days, sometimes weeks for it to improve. ©
https://www.pexels.com/@matt-jerome-connor-1428905/
The pain was often sharp and intense, like an open wound that kept being prodded. Once it started, it took days, sometimes weeks for it to improve. ©
https://www.pexels.com/@matt-jerome-connor-1428905/
As my symptoms worsened, I began to document them. I used an app ….. to track my symptoms.
In this photo, I am crossing out the goals and aspirations that Endometriosis has made difficult or impossible for me to achieve due to its impact on my life.
Feeling defeated but seen as lazy by outsiders. When the sun and blue skies are out, and plants on bloom, I’m often told to get out for fresh air, exercise, and try to see positivity.
Since starting on hormone therapy to stop my period, I suffered from depression (one of the side effects). I used to walk along the beach during sunny days to lift up my mood.
I was admitted to ER due to severe pain related to endometriosis symptoms. I took this photo to prove to my employer why I had to miss work that day.
During the pandemic, my symptoms worsened. It became almost a daily routine for me to take pain relievers to help manage my symptoms. This is an image of medication I relied on. I also began to carry a pill organizer with me to work or wherever I would go.
During a nightshift at my work, the pain was becoming so severe I was becoming lightheaded and nauseated. I checked my blood pressure and realized I was experiencing vasovagal response from my pain.
As my symptoms worsened, I had to look at alternative options to help manage my symptoms. I would use a heated pad on my abdomen/pelvis, CBD creams, and tea to help me fall asleep.
The bloated endo belly effect comes along with this inflammatory condition, it makes me look pregnant, which people have mistaken for pregnancy. How ironic that endometriosis which effects fertility in so many, has this side effect.
When a hot bath is the only pain relief that seems to work, there are days and hours spent soaking in the tub – unable to do much else. Sometimes, the pain is so debilitating I take my work calls, tend to emails, and try to continue on with life the best I can from the comfort of this little porcelain cage … without my usual coping methods available during the pandemic there is nothing but time to sit with it.
Working from home It was such a bliss for me to have the opportunity of working from home during pandemic. It gave me lots of time and flexibility to enjoy my time at home by managing the work in my own time!
Accommodating exercise and meditation in my everyday to do list, which are a must to maintain my body, was possible since 100% work from home became a new normal.
Baking scones, cakes, and cupcakes was my quiet time where I zoned out in peace, and enjoyed it.
This is the view I used to look at from my bedroom. Somedays I completely ran out of energy to do anything and I’d lie down on bed and do nothing but staring out.
I tried to go out as much as I could during summer months to take my mind off of work, uncertainty of future (work from home changing to return to office, and how that will impact my surgery).
I even feel okay to wear mask when I go out. It’s just like a new normal for everyone. I can hide my feelings from anyone under the mask.
Nature became a new friend to distress since social gatherings with friends, family (living in other household) and colleagues was not allowed.
View other EndoPhoto Galleries
Though it looked a little different during the pandemic, connection was found to be an essential component of the lives of people with endometriosis.
Sensitive Content – some photos and captions depict images of fertility.
People found comfort in learning about endometriosis, their own bodies and self-management strategies that could help.
People with endometriosis had varying experiences with the healthcare system.
Sensitive Content – some images may depict medical trauma.
Despite the challenges faced by people with endometriosis many described a strong sense of resiliency noting that there was hope for the future.
Communities
Find an endometriosis community in your area.
