Happy Father’s Day to the dads who keep showing up with love and support, no matter how tough and weird this winding road gets. We’re grateful for you @brandonjrouth❤️
1/3
(The photo above is of me two years ago, inspired by @georgiewileman’s #ThisIsEndometriosis campaign)
Many of you shared your own experiences with endometriosis in the comments below my post about Dr. Kent. I wanted to let you know that I see you, and can share a bit of my personal experience if it helps.
For those unfamiliar, endometriosis is an inflammatory disorder that occurs when cells similar to the lining of the uterus are found in areas outside of the uterus, causing significant pain. It is not just a “painful period”, and its effects aren’t limited to the days surrounding menstruation. My symptoms were felt nearly every day, and alternated between aching, stabbing and nausea, creating fatigue and a constant buzzing in my brain that I can only describe as “pain fog”. All in all a 0/10, would not recommend.
Six years after my surgery with Dr. Kent, and two years after the birth of my son, pain slowly began to creep back into my body. By 2020, the symptoms had become overwhelming, and I had my 2nd surgery during our first pandemic Christmas. That timing also gets a 0/10.
Although Dr. Kent had retired, serendipity led me to a surgeon that specialized in excision, rather than laser ablation. This surgeon is an absolute warrior queen, and I will introduce you to her in a separate post. My post-op notes revealed:
Stage 4 endometriosis (which she excised), suspected adenomyosis, and interstitial cystitis. I also lost my appendix.
This year vs Last year🎂*
*at least we had the fair!🫠
This year vs Last year🎂*
*at least we had the fair!🫠
This year vs Last year🎂*
*at least we had the fair!🫠
This year vs Last year🎂*
*at least we had the fair!🫠
This year vs Last year🎂*
*at least we had the fair!🫠
2/3
Recovery from excision was no joke, and took much longer than I expected.
By contrast, after my laparoscopic ablation with Dr. Kent in 2009, I left the hospital on a Wednesday, stayed in bed all through Thursday, fainted coming down the stairs Friday, but was ready to start my 1st day on Dexter by Monday, (with bandages covering my incisions, and having to duck under police tape for 10 takes. I almost puked in the bushes, but I could walk).
This time however, full recovery took weeks. I also had to cut some things out of my diet and get physical therapy, but it was absolutely worth it. While my initial surgery had a quick recovery and helped me get pregnant, the endo left behind grew back with a vengeance. Simply put, cutting it out is more thorough that burning it off, and I recommend cutting it the hell out.
Endometriosis pain can be extremely isolating. I kept it to myself, mostly because I never wanted to give anyone a reason to doubt my ability to do my job. This was especially true during my last job, because I loved the physicality with every fiber of my being. I craved more action, not less, as the adrenaline and endorphins helped clear the fog and kept the pain compartmentalized until I got home. Looking back, I probably should have returned to the doctor much sooner, but I was scared of what they might find. I still have some complications, probably from waiting too long, so if you are able, get yourself to a doctor as soon as you can, and don’t stop until you find one that listens.
ELEVEN🥳
📷: @stormsantos
@dririsorbuch literally wrote the book on healing endometriosis. It’s called Beating Endo and is a must read. She is also the primary consultant for #BelowTheBelt, a powerful documentary by Shannon Cohn which will premiere on PBS nationally on June 21, 2023 at 10/9c, and I encourage you all to check it out.
Follow @endowhat for more info❤️
Dr. Anne Kent
1958 – 2022
Dr. Kent changed my life. She was the first doctor who took the time to listen with compassion and curiosity, who performed the laparoscopy that ended years of confusion as to the source of my chronic pain. The first doctor that held my hand and said the words endometriosis, after every other doctor had either laughed or rolled their eyes. She was more than a respected OB/GYN. For her patients, she was an advocate. A source of strength, love and kindness. No matter how busy her day was, she always made time to listen so that her patients felt seen and heard. She always explained what she was going to do before she did it, and never dismissed any expression of pain. Dr. Kent was the first doctor that didn’t make me feel like I was “bothering” her. She performed my 1st surgery, and was at my bedside when I woke up, holding pictures taken by the internal camera. “Look, see. Here it is, here, here and here. Endometriosis and adhesions. You are not crazy. You were never crazy. Your pain was real.” I loved her. All her patients loved her. She saved our sanity and delivered our babies that she made possible. I was told by other doctors that I had a 2% chance of getting pregnant. Two percent. But after the first surgery with Dr. Kent, I was able to get pregnant naturally. My 1st and only pregnancy. It all felt so fragile and impossible and terrifying, but she was there every step of the way. She delivered my baby. My son is here because of her. My niece is here because of her. Thousands of babies are here because she protected, cared for, and listened to their mommies. She was taken from this world far too soon. If you are able, please consider donating to Hoag Hospital Foundation or to Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS.
Dr. Anne Kent
1958 – 2022
Dr. Kent changed my life. She was the first doctor who took the time to listen with compassion and curiosity, who performed the laparoscopy that ended years of confusion as to the source of my chronic pain. The first doctor that held my hand and said the words endometriosis, after every other doctor had either laughed or rolled their eyes. She was more than a respected OB/GYN. For her patients, she was an advocate. A source of strength, love and kindness. No matter how busy her day was, she always made time to listen so that her patients felt seen and heard. She always explained what she was going to do before she did it, and never dismissed any expression of pain. Dr. Kent was the first doctor that didn’t make me feel like I was “bothering” her. She performed my 1st surgery, and was at my bedside when I woke up, holding pictures taken by the internal camera. “Look, see. Here it is, here, here and here. Endometriosis and adhesions. You are not crazy. You were never crazy. Your pain was real.” I loved her. All her patients loved her. She saved our sanity and delivered our babies that she made possible. I was told by other doctors that I had a 2% chance of getting pregnant. Two percent. But after the first surgery with Dr. Kent, I was able to get pregnant naturally. My 1st and only pregnancy. It all felt so fragile and impossible and terrifying, but she was there every step of the way. She delivered my baby. My son is here because of her. My niece is here because of her. Thousands of babies are here because she protected, cared for, and listened to their mommies. She was taken from this world far too soon. If you are able, please consider donating to Hoag Hospital Foundation or to Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS.
Dr. Anne Kent
1958 – 2022
Dr. Kent changed my life. She was the first doctor who took the time to listen with compassion and curiosity, who performed the laparoscopy that ended years of confusion as to the source of my chronic pain. The first doctor that held my hand and said the words endometriosis, after every other doctor had either laughed or rolled their eyes. She was more than a respected OB/GYN. For her patients, she was an advocate. A source of strength, love and kindness. No matter how busy her day was, she always made time to listen so that her patients felt seen and heard. She always explained what she was going to do before she did it, and never dismissed any expression of pain. Dr. Kent was the first doctor that didn’t make me feel like I was “bothering” her. She performed my 1st surgery, and was at my bedside when I woke up, holding pictures taken by the internal camera. “Look, see. Here it is, here, here and here. Endometriosis and adhesions. You are not crazy. You were never crazy. Your pain was real.” I loved her. All her patients loved her. She saved our sanity and delivered our babies that she made possible. I was told by other doctors that I had a 2% chance of getting pregnant. Two percent. But after the first surgery with Dr. Kent, I was able to get pregnant naturally. My 1st and only pregnancy. It all felt so fragile and impossible and terrifying, but she was there every step of the way. She delivered my baby. My son is here because of her. My niece is here because of her. Thousands of babies are here because she protected, cared for, and listened to their mommies. She was taken from this world far too soon. If you are able, please consider donating to Hoag Hospital Foundation or to Augie’s Quest to Cure ALS.
Union Strong 💪🏼*
#SAGAFTRA
#strike
*mist sprayer was not strong
it broke in the first 6 minutes🤦🏻♀️ Warner Bros Studios
Union Strong 💪🏼*
#SAGAFTRA
#strike
*mist sprayer was not strong
it broke in the first 6 minutes🤦🏻♀️ Warner Bros Studios
Union Strong 💪🏼*
#SAGAFTRA
#strike
*mist sprayer was not strong
it broke in the first 6 minutes🤦🏻♀️ Warner Bros Studios
Union Strong 💪🏼*
#SAGAFTRA
#strike
*mist sprayer was not strong
it broke in the first 6 minutes🤦🏻♀️ Warner Bros Studios
#Revengers assemble! Thank you @karterhol for organizing a mini reunion yesterday, and for being an awesome strike captain.
PEOPLE! 🗣️Writers create the stories that you love to binge. Corporations are making billions off the backs of creatives while paying them less and less. WGA deserves a fair contract.
Repost via @karterhol
Actors and writers coming together to demand a fair contract – while also having a mini #revenge reunion on the picket line. @tim_dekay @i_am_officially_nick_wechsler #madeleinestowe @gossgirl @foejazzio @karterhol @courtneyfordhere
#wgastrong #wgastrike #sagaftra Paramount Pictures Studios, Hollywood
3/3
Two years ago, I happened upon an article from Glamour.com in which Mae Whitman shared her experience with endometriosis, and mentioned her doctor by name. I immediately sent @mistergarf a rambling paragraph of anxious over-sharing, to which she responded with so much enthusiasm for her doctor, that it gave me the energy to pick up the phone and call the office. Floating out of my body, I forced my mouth to make words: “Hello. My name is Courtney Ford. I was in the process of scheduling my 2nd endometriosis surgery when my doctor suddenly retired. She was diagnosed with ALS. She was the only doctor I ever trusted. I’m scared and don’t know what to do. Can you help me?” They could.
Dr. Iris Orbuch is a whip-smart rockstar surgeon with fierce protector energy. Mother of Dragons, Slayer of Endo, Taker of No Shit. While I’m eternally grateful to my original fairy goddoctor, the late Dr. Kent, @dririsorbuch arrived in my life ready to kick some serious ass. Upon my first examination, she pressed down on my abdomen while feeling internally, and said, “Yup. Your endo is definitely back. All your organs are pulling to the left.” “Are you sure? Maybe I’m just imagining it’s back.”
“You’re in stabbing pain. Your organs are pulling to the left, your face is swollen, you have alternating pain and numbness down your left leg and you said it feels like you’re sitting on a pine cone. It’s back.” “Are you sure you can get it?” I asked.
“I’m sure I can get it,” she said, her kind eyes confident, and full of fire. “And I’m going to cut it out”.
Rockstar.
Dr. Orbuch is the Director of the Advanced Gynecologic Laparoscopy Center in Los Angeles, and is one of the very few physicians in the country that is trained to perform advanced Excision of Endometriosis. Again, rockstar.
When I was being put under for my excision, I was too terrified to count backwards from 10. My anxiety Hulk-ed out at the last minute, and I flailed around for Dr. Orbuch’s hand. “I’ve got you,” she said. “I love you,” I cried. I woke up hours later feeling slightly embarrassed yet absolutely euphoric. She was right. The endo had been everywhere. And she had cut it out.
Badass.
It didn’t fall over this year!
Leo’s gluten free birthday cake 🎂
Design: Leo
GF chocolate cake: me
Pastry Sous Chef: my uncle
GF donuts: @modernbreadandbagel
GF minis: @cakemonkeybakery
Eleven 🎈
The entertainment industry has a long history of undervaluing artists, preying on their insecurities to consistently push for more work for less pay, and non-existent job security. It keeps artists and workers hungry, unsteady, and insecure by design, so that every union can be coerced into accepting unacceptable deals. No. I stand with the #WGA
Oh hell yes. Unions unite! Let’s Voltron these mf’ers 💥
SAG-AFTRA and WGA are in the same boat when it comes to the threat of A.I., and losing residuals to streaming. This is a fight for our livelihoods.
