Meet Our Management Team: Isabella Gosling
By Isabella Gosling
After searching for answers for her pain for over six years, Isabella, was diagnosed with endometriosis, and adenomyosis. Looking for support, she found QENDO, a not for profit organisation supporting anyone affected by endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS or infertility. Inspired by the work of QENDO, Isabella was keen to make a difference in the lives of other sufferers, share her learnings and provide the support that was given to her upon diagnosis. Since joining QENDO in 2017, Isabella has gone from the role of Support Worker and QENDOMeet Facilitator, to Secretary and Head of Operations within the organisation. Her favourite part about the work she does with QENDO is knowing that each day she is able to see the direct impact she is making within the community. Isabella is excited to be a part of the leadership team at QENDO, and be a part of all the projects and initiatives within the organisation. When Isabella isn’t working hard at QENDO, you can find her studying at uni, enjoying brunch with friends, watching something on Netflix, going for a walk in nature or doing something crafty!
Each month I would dread when my period was due. A few days before its arrival I would experience horrendous back pain, and that would be the cue that it wasn’t far away. Then it would be a week of intense pain, sleeping on a towel (and being relieved when the sheets came away unscathed), and having my best friend check the back of my teal school skirt for any leakage that might have happened during class (then strategically lowering my bag or tying my jumper around my waist if there was any).
What started as back pain before my period, and pain with my period, then having two or so weeks of reprieve, changed. By the end of my first year of uni it had become progressively worse, until I was experiencing pain throughout the entire month. Pain so bad, I felt like I was going to be sick. I was calling in sick to work, missing days at uni, and wondering ‘How on earth am I going to continue to live like this for the rest of my life? After yet another episode of me on the floor curled up, and in pain, enough was enough. I needed answers for my pain.
I didn’t know much about endo, I’d heard of the word before and my mum had said “I hope you don’t have endometriosis”, but past that I didn’t know anyone else with it, or what it was exactly. I went to my doctor, and received my first referral to a gynaecologist. She thought I might have endometriosis, however she didn’t operate, and so I was referred onto another specialist. He performed a laparoscopy (the only way endometriosis can be diagnosed), however he said he found no endo, gave me some antibiotics as he thought I had PID and to only come back when I was ready for a baby. At nineteen, that was pretty hard to hear. I felt like I was crazy, in all this pain, with an inconclusive laparoscopy, and not sure what to do.
I went back to my GP, again, and got a referral to see another specialist. I was in the appointment for all of 10 minutes, was told to go on another pill and come back in three months. I sat in the carpark and just sobbed on the phone to my mum. No one seemed to understand how much pain I was in and how badly this was affecting my life. So yet again, I went back to the GP, This time it was very different, he listened and took me seriously. this time with my mum, and asked for another referral, and was seen by yet another specialist. More than a year after my first surgery, I saw my new specialist for my initial consult on a Monday, and by that Wednesday, I was in theatre having another laparoscopy. This time it wasn’t inconclusive, there was endometriosis present, as well as adenomyosis too.
My surgeon was able to remove the endo, as well as put two Mirenas in place to assist in the ongoing management of my conditions. Waking up and knowing that there was a reason for my pain, and to know that these symptoms and pain was ‘not all in my head’ and that ‘I didn’t need to toughen up’, was just the biggest relief.
This was also when I found QENDO. I was so thankful to have found an organisation that was dedicated to advocating for those affected by endometriosis, as well as adenomyosis. Their resources were reputable as well as relatable, and provided face to face support through their EndoMeets. These were so helpful for connecting with girls who were going through what I was going through and just ‘got it’
That was in 2015, and since then my treatment plan has been working really well, I've only needed to have one other procedure since. I’m also looking at my condition from a holistic view point, filling my toolkit with different strategies such as movement, diet, natural therapies and the advice and care from both my specialist and GP.
Being able to experience the incredible work QENDO do first hand, I was keen to get involved with the organisation that gave me so much. I have now been volunteering with QENDO for over three years, and it feels amazing to be able to provide support and continue to raise awareness for those suffering from endo, adeno PCOS and infertility, and be directly involved in creating change for this community!
I am now in a way better place, than I was prior to my diagnosis, and I am able to manage my endo and adeno, so most days I have no pain at all. I am so thankful to have found QENDO, my specialist and support team that got me through the bad days, and are still here for the good ones too! I hope that with increased awareness, sharing of stories and education, those suffering with adenomyosis and endometriosis no longer suffer in silence.
Listen to your body, you know it better than anyone else, and if you think something’s not right, don’t give up. Keep going until you get answers, and find someone who will listen to you. Everyone is different and what works for one person, might not work for another.
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