is a chronic whole-body inflammation disease that affects 1 in 10 people born with a uterus. It causes tissue that is similar to uterine lining to grow on other parts of the body. This tissue can cause internal bleeding, fuse organs together, dysfunction of the organs, infertility, and chronic pain. It has been found on every organ in the human body yet falsely misdiagnosed as a reproductive disease.
Like most people with endometriosis, Fela’s symptoms started in her early teens, though she wasn’t diagnosed until age 23.
Since then, she has had 9 surgeries to remove the disease and to repair the damage endometriosis has caused to her body.
Despite these surgeries, Fela endures pain and fatigue daily, and continually risks organ dysfunction and endometriosis spreading. Things like excision surgery, physical therapy, and certain pain medications can help ease symptoms but endometriosis currently has no cure.
Fela spends most days managing pain with heating pads, medications, and ample rest.
Her pain level is unpredictable and it can often mean she can hardly walk around her apartment.
Despite the fluctuations in pain, she strives to do the things she loves most such as drawing, writing, cooking, and spending time with her partner and pets.
Because she is immunocompromised, the pandemic has put a lot of treatment options for Fela on hold. As a result, she dedicates a lot of time caring for her body to avoid regression in recovery.
