Hello!

I'm Shireen, the face behind EMLWY! I live in Hathern, UK, with my fiancé, Daniel, and our little boy, Hunter Ace.

I advocate for endometriosis over here at Endometriosis: My Life With You, or EMLWY as it's usually referred to. EMLWY was born in 2011 out of the frustrations and isolation of living with endometriosis.

I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2005 (aged 21), after experiencing the symptoms since 1995 (aged 12). I have severe and deep infiltrating endometriosis involving my abdominal wall, bladder, cul-de-sac, diaphragm, fallopian tubes, ovaries, pelvic brim, peritoneum and uterus. I also have rectovaginal disease.

My medical history is complex and I've tried almost everything over the years in my quest for relief. This includes: 5 laparoscopic surgeries, Zoladex, Decapeptyl, the Mirena coil, the Nexplanon implant, various contraceptive pills, heat therapy, a TENs machine, pain management, liaison psychiatry, physiotherapy, pelvic pain psychology, a long list of various painkillers, NSAIDs and dietary changes.

After 2 years of trying to conceive with me not ovulating, along with having a blocked fallopian tube and irreversible damage due to scarring and adhesions, we welcomed the arrival of our IVF miracle, Hunter Ace, on Christmas Eve, 2014.

In March 2019, I underwent a total hysterectomy and bilatoral salpingo-oophorectomy - though this wasn't specifically for endometriosis.

I have also been diagnosed with osteopenia in 2009, fibromyalgia in 2015, and ischemic colitis in 2018. Over the years, I've also battled bouts of depression, anxiety, joint and nerve issues.

Through EMLWY, I found an amazing community of people who understood exactly what I was experiencing. In return, EMLWY has evolved in to a space that provides support not only for me, but for others experiencing life with chronic pain and all the in-between's.

S. 

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