Her Story: Stage IV Endometriosis & The Surgery That Almost Took Her Life with Maddie (endopains)

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and today’s episode is a heavy hitter.We are continuing our Her Story series with the incredible Maddie, and let me tell you, this conversation is a rollercoaster. Maddie isn’t just dealing with "painful periods," she’s navigating a complex alphabet soup of diagnoses including Endo, EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), PMDD, and PCOS.But the core of Maddie’s story is a wake-up call: We’re diving deep into her traumatic surgery experience, the absolute nightmare of not being taken seriously for breast and lymphatic endometriosis (yes, it can grow anywhere!), and the medical negligence that nearly cost her her life.Maddie is turning her pain into power by advocating for young girls so they never have to face the gaslighting she did. We talk about:The Overlap: How EDS and Endo often travel together and complicate everything.The Trauma: A raw look at her surgical experience and the "doctor misrepresentation" that led to a life-threatening situation.The "Rare" Reality: The struggle to get diagnosed when endo shows up in non-traditional places like the breasts and lymphatic system.Medical Menopause: The physical and mental toll of being forced into menopause and the lack of support for women in the thick of it.Advocacy: How Maddie is using Her Story to change the future for the next generation of girls and endo warriors.⚠️ A QUICK HEADS UP: During this episode, Maddie shares some of her actual surgery photos. If you are squeamish or triggered by medical imagery, please use discretion.Maddie’s strength is infectious, and her story is a reminder that we HAVE to be our own biggest advocates. Grab your heating pad, get cozy, and let’s get into it.Find an excision specialist near you:https://icarebetter.com/Follow Maddie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@endopains__