Wrapped in a Nice Red Bow

Dear Endometriosis,

I have had you for a while now, I’ve had symptoms for 7 years in fact. My periods came, and so did you. Wrapped in a nice red bow.

For years, I was told you didn’t exist, that I was a weak-willed young girl who cried wolf; but I knew you, I felt you - the way you burnt into my organs was apparent every time I bled, and every time I was screaming on my bedroom floor, clutching at my stomach.

This year, I got my answer, but you’d already told me; you’d already whispered it into my ear. I do have endometriosis. I do have adenomyosis.

Finding a monster under the bed isn’t as scary when you’ve been living with it, feeding it, growing it; the monster grew big and strong in the shadows and it was fed by disbelief - but now I am stronger, I am wiser. My bloated belly, and painful joints do nothing other than remind me that I am a temple. I own this body and everything inside.

So Endometriosis, thank you for sticking with me through everything, literally - because you proved to me that I was right, and you proved how much comfort can be found when you accept fate. I love you, and everything you bring, because you are mine.

Imogen, England