Nurses, Midwives and healthcare professionals all play a special role in the lives of those who have a chronic health condition. On this International Nurses Day, and Year of the Nurse and Midwife, we at QENDO thought it would only be right to shine a spotlight on some of the amazing nurses, midwives and student nurses we have volunteering with us at QENDO. As well as take a moment to share the gratitude our QENDO community have for all of the nurses and midwives who have been there for them throughout various seasons of their lives.

At QENDO this Mother’s Day we are celebrating Mums of all varieties: from our own mothers who fought alongside us as we tried desperately to get our diagnoses, to those of us who have become Mums ourselves, sometimes after years of trying. We also celebrate those still on their fertility journeys, those who have lost children, those who have lost their mothers, those Mums growing their families. We see you, this day is for you too. In this blog two of our QENDO team share their perspective on motherhood, getting there, being here, and what the day means to them. Happy Mother’s Day from QENDO.

Physiotherapist Chantelle Bailey shares her endometriosis and painful bladder syndrome journey with QENDO, and some practical information about how you can manage these conditions with the help of a multidisciplinary team. 

We love our QENDO Ambassadors, they’re out there in YOUR community advocating for women with Endo, adeno, PCOS and infertility. Alicia Evans is the Sunshine Coast QENDO Ambassador and works in Administration/Accounts. She is also a qualified personal trainer. Currently 29 years old and recently diagnosed with stage 3 Endometriosis in 2018. Endometriosis has taken its toll on her health and vitality but she refuses to let it define her. She still enjoys crossfit training, the occasional triathlon, walking her pup and hiking local mountains. Despite the frustration of the disease, she feels very blessed to have met the amazing women in the QENDO community who have similar lives.

Times are tough and unprecedented, and we’re all spending a lot of time at home. For people with endometriosis, adenomyosis and PCOS, spending time at home, unable to leave for extended periods of time may be just another day at the office, many of us having experienced periods where our symptoms left us couch and bed bound. Sometimes our only constant companions have been those at home with us, and for team QENDO that includes our furry friends. The world right now is a stressful place, take a load off, have a cuppa, and meet some of our fabulous QENDO volunteers and their pets, and why they’re an important part of our chronic illness journeys. Only warm and fuzzies allowed in this space.

Our QENDO Ambassadors are pretty amazing, they are empowered to speak up about endometriosis, adenomyosis and PCOS and inspire our community. Danielle Findater was diagnosed with Endometriosis in 2009. She immediately had an operation to remove the endometriosis from her bowel along with cysts on her ovaries. She then went onto have had a second surgery in 2011. Danielle is passionate about helping spread awareness around Endometriosis and that so many women are being dismissed when they question their symptoms. Danielle believes we should always trust ourselves when we don’t feel right.

April 19-25 is National Infertility Awareness Week, and at QENDO we are here to support all those affected by infertility, and shine a light on their stories, and on those health practitioners who make a positive contribution to this community through their practice. Caroline Anderson of Sage Naturopathics is one such practitioner. Originally an IVF nurse with a wealth of experiences in the world of fertility treatments, Caroline became more interested in why those who often heard those heartbreaking words “not pregnant” had unsuccessful cycles. This inspired her shift into naturopathy, a journey that she shares here.

National Infertility Awareness Week 2020 runs from the 19th - 25th April. In this week's blog we hear from some of our QENDO Community about their journeys, some of the ways they cope and how they keep on keeping on. Ash, Sam, Kristen and Vidya share their journeys - these are the faces of infertility. These women are the 1 in 8.

April 19-25 is National Infertility Awareness Week, and this week we’re shining a light on infertility and the many women of QENDO who have struggled with this often heartbreaking and overwhelming journey. Sam Delmege is one of QENDO’s ambassadors and has been public about her struggles with infertility, helping to empower other women to come to the table and say: infertility should not be a taboo subject. In this blog she shares her journey with endometriosis and infertility.

April is Adenomyosis Awareness Month and at QENDO we’re shining a light on this condition that has even less name recognition than endometriosis. Our support coordinator Dannielle, a registered nurse, has had painful periods since the age of fifteen, and was initially diagnosed with endometriosis, but it wasn’t until she received a second diagnosis of adenomyosis that she found a more complete explanation for the symptoms that plagued her throughout adolescence and into adulthood. Here she shares her story in the hopes of reassuring others that they are not alone.

April is Adenomyosis Awareness Month and at QENDO we are shining a light on a condition that has even less name recognition than endometriosis, but affects so many. Jess from @jesshasadeno, found community and support via #adenomyosis and was inspired to start her own account and be part of the conversation. Jess has generously shared her story with QENDO to be one of the many voices with adenomyosis empowering others to speak up about their experiences.

Emily Hall, 32 years old, is mother of one very cheeky 2 year old, Harry; co-owner of Shoe Label, El Zapato, and a sufferer of endometriosis. Emily wasn’t diagnosed with Endo and adeno until she was 28 years old, after almost 2 years of failed attempts and 16 years of severe cramping, muscle pain, bloating and nausea. Emily is very vocal about the ups and downs of life on her Instagram and is passionate about drawing attention to a disease which doesn’t have a cure but affects 1 in 10 women.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and at QENDO we are #explainingendo by sharing your stories, practical articles for your endo toolkit, and inspiring women who will empower you to live your best life, even with endo. Aroha shares her long road to diagnosis in the hopes of empowering others to speak up about their own experiences.

At QENDO we support anyone affected by endometriosis, adenomyosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Our ambassadors are people who have been inspired by their journeys with endo, adeno or PCOS to raise awareness within their local community and beyond, supporting QENDO’s many programs and services. Kayla Jade is one of our amazing ambassadors, helping to empower women to share their story and listen to their bodies. In this blog she shares her story and the journey to natural healing that lead her to start The PCOS Bible.

You may have been introduced to sound healer and reiki practitioner Katie Jameson at our CAYA retreat in January. Katie is passionate about using sound healing for wellness, and talks in this blog about how you can use sound healing as part of your toolkit. Chronic illness can take a toll on both mind and body, and leave one feeling exhausted mentally as well as physically. Read up to see if sound healing might be something new to incorporate into your endo, adeno or PCOS toolkit.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and at QENDO we are #explainingendo by sharing your stories, practical articles for your endo toolkit, and inspiring women who will empower you to live your best life, even with endo. In this blog Sage share’s her story and journey to diagnosis.

Monique Murphy is an Australian Paralympic Swimmer and Rio 2016 Silver Medallist. In March of 2014, after a suspected spiked drink Monique fell from a 5th floor balcony. Along with numerous injuries and surgeries Monique’s right leg was ultimately amputated below the knee. The trauma of his event is suspected to be the trigger of Monique’s Endometriosis. In this blog she shares her endometriosis story and how the QENDO community has helped her feel less lost and alone.

As part of Endometriosis Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on healthcare professionals who are endo advocates and commit their practice to providing high quality resources for women with endometriosis. Nutritionist and clinical educator for PPEP Program Michelle Nielsen discusses her journey to diagnosis and the role of nutrition in helping her to live her best life with endo and empower others to do the same.

At QENDO we support anyone affected by endometriosis, adenomyosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Our ambassadors are people who have been inspired by their journeys with endo, adeno or PCOS to raise awareness within their local community and beyond, supporting QENDO’s many programs and services. Samantha Wills is one of our amazing ambassadors, helping to empower women to share their story and listen to their bodies. In this blog she shares her journey to diagnosis.

As part of Endometriosis Awareness Month, we’re shining a light on doctors and healthcare professionals who are endo advocates and commit their practice to providing high quality care for women with endometriosis. In this blog Brisbane gynaecologist Dr Peta Wright shares her journey to becoming a clinician passionate about providing holistic care and empowering women to live their best lives by helping them understand their bodies.