Bindi Irwin, a wildlife activist from Australia, recently opened up about her health struggles. On March 7th, the 24-year-old shared on Instagram that she has been diagnosed with endometriosis, which is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it.
According to the Mayo Clinic, endometriosis can affect the pelvic area and may involve the ovaries and fallopian tubes, potentially causing issues with the bladder and intestines. In her post, she said, “Dear Friends, I struggled for a long time about whether to share this journey with you publicly. I felt it was important to tell my story to help other women who might be going through the same thing.” She also included a picture of herself in a hospital bed.
More than a decade of pain later, Bindi Irwin can finally breathe
Irwin shared her journey with pain over the past ten years, explaining that it took many tests, doctor visits, and scans to finally figure out what was causing her discomfort. She mentioned that some doctors didn’t take her symptoms seriously at first.
“One doctor told me it was just something women have to deal with, and I felt like giving up while trying to cope with the pain. I didn’t find any answers until my friend @lesliemosier helped me start to take back control of my life. I chose to have surgery for endometriosis,” she wrote. She also mentioned that during the surgery, doctors found thirty-seven lesions and an ovarian cyst.
Irwin thanked the people who stood by her and cheered her on during her tough times, helping her discover ways out when she felt stuck. She also showed her appreciation for the doctors who understood her pain. Additionally, Irwin shared that because she had to take care of her 1-year-old daughter, Grace Warrior, with her husband, Chandler Powell, she couldn’t participate in social events since she was using up all her energy.
This is a gentle reminder to everyone out there
Just because everything seems perfect from the outside when you look into someone’s life doesn’t mean it really is. So, please be kind and think twice before asking me (or any woman) about when we’ll have more kids, she shared.
“Our amazing little girl is such a bright light,” the proud mom said. “Grace is named after my great-grandma and family members from Chandler’s side who go way back to the 1700s. Her middle names, Warrior Irwin, honor my dad and his amazing work as a Wildlife Warrior. Her last name is Powell, and she already has a sweet spirit just like her dad.”
After everything my body has experienced, I am incredibly thankful for our beautiful daughter. She truly feels like a miracle for our family. I know there are countless women facing similar challenges. There’s a lot of stigma surrounding this terrible illness. I want to share my story for anyone out there who is silently suffering and looking for answers. Remember, your pain is real, and you deserve support. Don’t stop searching for the answers you need. www.endofound.org, she finished.
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