About Jeanne

My name is Jeanne and I hope you’ll find Chronic Healing useful.

I have been chronically ill for nearly 28 years; I have multiple chronic conditions. My journey with chronic illness began at the age of 13 when my endometriosis symptoms started (in 1982). After 10 years living undiagnosed with endometriosis, I was finally diagnosed at age 23 by an outpatient surgical procedure called laparoscopy. (Laparoscopy is the only definitive method for diagnosing endometriosis). I am now 41 years old.

In addition to endometriosis, I have multiple other chronic illnesses. My doctors believe many of these are related to my endometriosis. Some are not.

Some (but most definitely not all) of the other chronic conditions I live with are fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity, interstitial cystitis, Reynaud’s, irritable bowel syndrome, neuropathy and vulvodynia/vulvar vestibulitis.

Since infertility is so common in endometriosis patients, I also write a great deal about it.

Please see the “About Chronic Healing” section of this blog for information on what this blog discusses.

Clearly being chronically ill can be challenging, painful, exhausting, and frustrating. However, chronic illness has made me STRONGER. I have learned how to advocate for myself (and others), to become more creative, to learn a great deal about developing and maintaining a positive attitude, and to manage despite adversity. Chronic illness took my career from me and has certainly placed many limits on what I can do. However, I have worked hard not to allow chronic illness to make me bitter. I may be sick and I may get frustrated at different lifestyle changes I’ve had to make but I believe I’m following my purpose now and that is a great comfort to me.

In my journey living with chronic conditions and networking with fellow patients, I have had the opportunity to meet some of the nicest, most thoughtful, most compassionate, and most understanding people!! The first part of my journey getting to know fellow patients was at the local level in in-person endometriosis support groups (starting in 1992 when I was diagnosed with endo). In 2001, I started an endometriosis support group in my local area. On June 1, 2008 I started writing the blog that preceded this: Jeanne’s Endo Blog. It boggles my mind every day how many amazing, supportive, kind people I have met through blogging!

I encourage and welcome your comments; I hope you find Chronic Healing helpful, supportive, and informative.