Support My Endo Journey
Doação protegida
Endometriosis (pronounced: en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) is a cancer-like condition (based on it's stages) that causes a woman's reproductive system to attack itself.
Cherrelle (Coleman) Lawrence has suffered from painful cycles, since the age of 15. For years, doctors could never pin-point the problem. Many doctors convinced her that it was "...just a heavy cycle..." or "...all in your mind..." However, when the pain began to take over her life, she knew there had to be more to the story than what doctors were leading her to believe.
In 2010, after receiving her Bachelor's degree, Cherrelle decided to pursue her life-long dream of becoming a teacher. Soon the pain began to interfere with her work-life as well: missing instructional days, going to work in pain, even passing out in her own classroom. This became the norm for Cherrelle. It didn't take long for her to truly realize "...something is seriously wrong!"
She decided to seek medical professionals, again, and finally found someone who was willing to perform a surgery; however, it wasn't for the right thing. Over the course of 3 years, Cherrelle went through numerous procedures: Removal of polyps, Cryosurgery (freezing of the uterus), D&C (scraping of the uterus), Colonoscopy, and many other painful procedures. Still, there was no answer. In January 2012, she was diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - a condition that causes blood clots to form in the major arteries of the body. This led medical professionals at a local hospital, to refer her to Duke University Hospital.
In April of 2012, 2 days after her husband's engagement proposal, Cherrelle underwent laproscopic surgery including the excision of all visible Endometriosis. Post-surgery, the gynecologist informed Cherrelle and her family that she had a severe case of Endometriosis (Stage IV); one of the worst he had seen in years. The Endometriosis caused damage to her reproductive system.
By the fall of 2013, the Endometriosis had grown back. Cherrelle continued to visit various doctors, including experts at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. Due to her inability to be present in the classroom, she decided to resign from teaching in the classroom; her Stage IV Endometriosis played a major part in this decision. She was unable to walk without assistance, pain became an "everyday thing," and it slowly began to take over her quality of life.
During this time, Cherrelle decided to start an awareness group to spread the word about Endometriosis to women throughout the U.S. She was even recognized by several National Endometriosis Awareness groups as a nominee for "Endo Hero of the Year" for her work in the community.
As you can see, this condition has taken a toll on her life, physically and socially; but Cherrelle continues to remain strong and steadfast in her journey to find relief!
Cherrelle (Coleman) Lawrence has suffered from painful cycles, since the age of 15. For years, doctors could never pin-point the problem. Many doctors convinced her that it was "...just a heavy cycle..." or "...all in your mind..." However, when the pain began to take over her life, she knew there had to be more to the story than what doctors were leading her to believe.
In 2010, after receiving her Bachelor's degree, Cherrelle decided to pursue her life-long dream of becoming a teacher. Soon the pain began to interfere with her work-life as well: missing instructional days, going to work in pain, even passing out in her own classroom. This became the norm for Cherrelle. It didn't take long for her to truly realize "...something is seriously wrong!"
She decided to seek medical professionals, again, and finally found someone who was willing to perform a surgery; however, it wasn't for the right thing. Over the course of 3 years, Cherrelle went through numerous procedures: Removal of polyps, Cryosurgery (freezing of the uterus), D&C (scraping of the uterus), Colonoscopy, and many other painful procedures. Still, there was no answer. In January 2012, she was diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - a condition that causes blood clots to form in the major arteries of the body. This led medical professionals at a local hospital, to refer her to Duke University Hospital.
In April of 2012, 2 days after her husband's engagement proposal, Cherrelle underwent laproscopic surgery including the excision of all visible Endometriosis. Post-surgery, the gynecologist informed Cherrelle and her family that she had a severe case of Endometriosis (Stage IV); one of the worst he had seen in years. The Endometriosis caused damage to her reproductive system.
By the fall of 2013, the Endometriosis had grown back. Cherrelle continued to visit various doctors, including experts at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD. Due to her inability to be present in the classroom, she decided to resign from teaching in the classroom; her Stage IV Endometriosis played a major part in this decision. She was unable to walk without assistance, pain became an "everyday thing," and it slowly began to take over her quality of life.
During this time, Cherrelle decided to start an awareness group to spread the word about Endometriosis to women throughout the U.S. She was even recognized by several National Endometriosis Awareness groups as a nominee for "Endo Hero of the Year" for her work in the community.
As you can see, this condition has taken a toll on her life, physically and socially; but Cherrelle continues to remain strong and steadfast in her journey to find relief!
She is now seeking assistance with funding her medical venture to find relief from Endometriosis.
Organizadora
Cherrelle Lawrence
Organizadora
Raleigh, NC