Endo Action Log

Why is the background to this page, red?  Because it signifies the pain and turmoil that many women experience due to Endometriosis.  We have no cure.  There is no formal support system for us, except for the ones we've created either in person or online.  Society brushes us off and treats us like we are whiners - as if we are simply trying to get attention and that we really can't be hurting that bad - guess all of those operations are in our heads too, eh?  LOL.

From what I understand; there are support groups, funding, special research, and a public awareness for diseases such as Cancer - and even AIDS!  That's really great because the people who suffer from those diseases experience great pain & turmoil - and their families go through it right along with them (except for the physical part, of course).  But there's nothing for women who have Endometriosis.  What's wrong with this picture?

If a man went to his doctor, complaining about the growths or sores on his penis - he'd be taken seriously.  A man would gripe about having to have an operation done on his penis and that'd spurn more intense scientific research just so that men would not have to experience such suffering.  And you sure don't see men taking hormone injections!  I have to wonder that if a man suffered from Endometriosis if society, the medical community, and people - in general - would pay more attention!?!

What am I - second class because I am a woman?  Am I second class because I do not have health insurance?  I thought that the U.S. was about equal rights and fair treatment for all.  Yeah, right - go red, white, and blue.

Well; I figure that since I will take this disease to the grave with me, that I might as well take a stand and try to do what I can to at least leave a path for the next generation of women.  I do not foresee a cure in my life-time, but maybe if myself and the many other women out there were to take this stand and DEMAND ethical treatment, more research, and funding for a cure - that we'd pave an easier road for those growing up behind us.

I know it's going to be a difficult road - but I don't have anything to lose.  It's going to be difficult to reason with people in the position to make this disease known - to explain to them that 'period', 'bleeding', 'uterus' and the multitude of other terms used when discussing the female anatomy are NOT bad words!  

I am incredulous that people in this day and age can openly discuss gay relations, safe sex, condoms, prostrate cancer (you've seen the commercials on TV.), & everything else - but when it comes to women - we get stupid commercials.  They gear commercials towards us like laxative commercials, house cleaning supplies, vaginal dryness, and menopause symptoms for which they all have 'magic pills' for.  But where's the open discussions about Endometriosis?

Even in this day and age; people's faces turn red when you openly discuss menstruation.  Why is that?  But it's okay to discuss ejaculation, impotency, & hemorrhoids.  *sigh*.

I have a theory.  It's because we are NOT, yet, an equal nation.  Women are still viewed as second class citizens - not only are we supposed to cook, clean, take care of the kids, & see to our man's needs - but we are also supposed to shut up and go to work and do it all.  When we get sick, nobody wants to hear it because we aren't ALLOWED to be sick.  We are supposed to be typically beautiful - like the Victoria's Secret models - you'd never see an over-weight woman or a woman who has had a mastectomy; modeling for fine lingerie, now would you?

I have been known to be very stubborn, persistant, strong, and rather irritating about things when I want to be.  Might as well use those qualities in a positive way and do my part to spread the word about Endometriosis.  For anyone reading this, I encourage you to do the same - what have you got to lose?  If you are a woman - you 'only' get to lose the quality of life you have - becoming more and more disabled by Endometriosis - while experiencing great pain and sadness.  Are you prepared to silently suffer and stand by while the world goes on - without you participating in it?  Are you prepared to be there for your mother, sister, daughter, and best friend when they are diagnosed with Endometriosis?  Are you prepared for a life-time of operations and medications and hormone experimentations - as if you ARE the scientific experiment? 

As I attempt to contact people who are in the position to help spread the word about Endometriosis; I will list their names and contact information here.  Maybe if many of us were to stick together and continuously attempt to get through to these people they will get sick of hearing from us and possibly try to at least hear us out.  It's worth a shot - and I have nothing to lose.

Now; I realize that I am not the first one to attempt to contact some of the people that I will list - but again; I'm not going to stop trying.  I'm not giving up.  Will you?

NOTE:  My goal isn't to be seen on t.v. but to get the term, "Endometriosis" on t.v. so that it can become a name heard in every single house-hold across the world.  So that we can finally get some important people to pay attention to us and help us!  However; if by chance I am asked to appear on one of these shows, I intend to drag my best-friend Carrie with me (she suffers from Endo., too).

Take the above banner and place on your website with a link back to this site - spread the word!

Tuesday, October 1, 2000

Emailed the Oprah Show   - Email Oprah here

This is the electronic response I've rec'd thus far:

We have received your e-mail. As you can imagine, we receive volumes of e-mail, so be patient - we'll read your message as soon as we can!

Thanks for writing to us!

Sincerely,
The Oprah.com Staff

Saturday, October 14, 2000

The Queen Latifah Show

Go here to suggest a show idea (about Endo, of course!)

...or; if you prefer to call her:  (877) LATIFAH

No response, yet.

Saturday, October 14, 2000

Barbara Walters - Go here to send her email

No response, yet.

Saturday, October 14, 2000

Tipper Gore - Go here to email her

This is the automatic electronic response I have rec'd, thus far:

Dear Friend:

Thank you for writing to Mrs. Gore via electronic mail.  Since coming on-line, mrs.gore@whitehouse.gov has received thousands of messages from people all over the world.

Due to the volume of mail Mrs. Gore receives, she is prevented from personally reviewing each message.  However, please be assured that your concerns, ideas, and suggestions have been carefully read, and that she receives a sampling of her incoming mail on a routine basis.

In an effort to read and record your mail accurately, please write short and concise messages, address only one issue per message, and send only one copy of your message.  You will receive one automated response per day.

If your message needs an immediate response, I urge you to send Mrs. Gore a letter through regular mail at the following address:
                              Office of Mrs. Tipper Gore
                              OEOB, Room 200
                              Washington, DC 20501

On October 20, 1994, President Clinton and Vice President Gore acted to improve the accessibility of government information by opening a service called "Welcome to the White House: An Interactive Citizens' Handbook" on the Internet.  This new World Wide Web service provides a single point of access to all electronic government information on the internet.  This site
provides people with a virtual tour of the White House, information on the White House and Executive Branch of the Government,  as well as the "White House Kids" section.  "Welcome to the White House" can be accessed at:

http://www.whitehouse.gov

Though the new Web server provides access to White House documents and publications, we will continue to provide these by e-mail.  To receive instructions, please send a message to the following address (**do not "reply" to the memo you are now reading**):

publications@whitehouse.gov

In the body of your message, type "send info" (without quotes); no other text should be included, specifically message headers or signature lines (.sig files).  The instructions will be sent to you automatically.

In addition, another way to obtain information is through the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document that, among other things, lists other sources of government information.  This FAQ address is an autoresponder only; any comment sent to this address will not be acknowledged.  In order to obtain this, you should send an e-mail message to:

faq@whitehouse.gov

The White House is very excited with the progress that is being made to bring the people and the government closer together through the use of the internet.  Your involvement and interest are imperative in our efforts.


Sincerely,

Melissa Preston
Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff and
Director of Correspondence

Thursday, October 19, 2000

WTNH Channel 8 News

Contact them here.

No response yet...

More to come....