Katie is a court reporter AND a volunteer firefighter and EMT – a true hero! Katie started having issues at the age of 10 and as the pain and symptoms worsened through the years, she was misdiagnosed and dismissed. Spending your life having your pain invalidated and being told it’s all in your head does a number on your mental health. Katie withdrew and only worked and slept, leading to depression on top of the pain and other physical symptoms. It wasn’t until Katie’s sister, a L&D nurse, referred her to an OB/GYN friend, that someone finally heard Katie. She underwent ablation surgery and received her official endometriosis diagnosis. After the bittersweet diagnosis of endometriosis, Katie began doing research and found Nancy’s Nook, a website dedicated to bringing awareness to endometriosis and consolidating resources. Katie found an Excision Specialist and underwent surgery, leading to a diagnosis of stage three endometriosis. This debilitating disease, both physically and financially, has taken its toll, especially since insurance is so quick to deny coverage. We were able to help pay a portion of her surgery that was not covered by insurance. See Katie’s story in her own words below:
See a Hero’s Life in Pictures
*Please know that any photos that appear to be Katie on the job are images from trainings, as Katie would never share pictures of her responding to a true emergency.
MomminWithEndo 