In Sixteen Years of Endometriosis

Listen to a chapter from Amy’s audiobook:

📖Chapter 67: “No Matter What Happens, I Will Be Okay”

Amy’s book is available as a paperbook, e-book, and audiobook. See where to find it here: https://insixteenyears.com/where-to-find-my-book/

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

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Amy speaks to Orla O’Connor from Ireland and Jennifer Todd from Canada about traveling abroad for excision surgery. They share about:

—what they think is most important to keep in mind when going to another country to medical care

—their process for choosing a surgeon

—logistics such as post op care and flying home after the surgery

🎤WHO IS ORLA AND JEN?🎤

Orla O’Connor is a fourth-year BSc Public Health Sciences student who runs a WhatsApp peer-support group that helps patients understand their options and feel less alone. Drawing on public-health training and lived community experience, Orla focuses on evidence-based information, practical checklists, and patient advocacy—especially for those considering diagnostic evaluation or surgery abroad. She signposts trusted clinical guidelines and Irish health-system pathways, helps members prepare referrals and reimbursement paperwork under the Cross-Border Directive, and promotes informed, shared decision-making with qualified specialists.

Jennifer Todd is a mom, wife and Registered Nurse navigating life post endometriosis excision, hysterectomy, oophrectomy and bowel resection for stage 4 deep infiltrating endometriosis and severe adenomysosis. She has had two surgeries, one in Canada with an excision specialist and one in Mexico with an excision specialist and General surgeon. Traveling for surgery was intimidating but well worth it. Jennifer strongly believes patients are their own best advocates and hopes to encourage patients to trust themselves and push for the help they deserve.

 ☀️CONNECT WITH ORLA☀️

Instagram Orla @orlacorkendowarrior 

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears 

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy speaks with Dr. Jorge Carrillo about the complexity of chronic pelvic pain. We talk about:

—his strategy for evaluating menstrual, bladder, bowel, musculoskeletal, and neuropathic symptoms in his patients

—the biopsychosocial model of pain and why it’s important

—the need for integrative pain care for endometriosis

🎤WHO IS DR. JORGE CARRILLO?🎤

Dr. Carrillo earned his degree as a Medical Doctor and Surgeon from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia. He then completed his residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics, followed by a Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery with a focus on Chronic Pelvic Pain.

He is a Professor in the Fellowship Program for Minimally Invasive Surgery at the Orlando VA and serves as the director for the residents rotating at the same institution. Dr. Carrillo is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) and was the President-Elect of the Society for the 2024–2025 term. His passion lies in helping patients who suffer from chronic pelvic pain and in educating healthcare professionals about these conditions. His research and publications focus on raising awareness and educating both patients and colleagues about these issues.

 ☀️CONNECT WITH DR. CARRILLO☀️

Instagram @pelvic_paineducatormd

🔗www.pelvicpaineducation.com

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears 

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy and Brittany talk about self-forgiveness:

—what it is

—the benefits it provides

—some examples of situations related to chronic illness that we’ve found difficult to let go of and forgive ourselves

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Today I’m speaking with Dr. John Dulemba about:

—surgical gatekeeping

—endometriosis recurrence

—the importance of treating this disease early and not after years of symptoms

🎤WHO IS DR. JOHN DULEMBA?🎤

A now retired excision surgeon who was in private practice in Denton, Texas, from 1986-2023. He performed over 7300 endometriosis surgeries, both robotically and via standard laparoscopy, so he has a lot of insight on endometriosis.

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy speaks with Sharida Mohammed about:

—how medical gaslighting caused her to doubt and invalidate her pain

—how upsetting it is that treatment options are so limited and inaccessible for people with endo

—her advice to others living with endometriosis

🎤WHO IS SHARIDA MOHAMMED?🎤

Sharida Mohammed is a graphic designer from the twin islands of Trinidad & Tobago. She has been living with endometriosis since the age of 12 and has undergone four surgeries for the condition. Sharida runs an Instagram page, Crushendo.tt, where she advocates for endometriosis awareness.

 ☀️CONNECT WITH SHARIDA ☀️

Instagram @crushendo.tt

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears 

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy speaks with Dr. Laura Gouge, ND about managing mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). We talk about:

—the varied symptoms we can have with MCAS, including neurological ones

—the importance of a multimodal approach for addressing MCAS symptom drivers 

—what she’s learned over years of working with MCAS patients and what she would have done differently in her own MCAS journey

🎤WHO IS DR. LAURA GOUGE, ND?🎤

Dr. Laura Gouge is a licensed naturopathic doctor and Certified Nutrition Specialist with expertise in mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), POTS, long COVID, ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, histamine intolerance, and endometriosis. She earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in 2015, followed by a two-year residency in integrative medicine.

Dr. Gouge helps patients uncover the root causes of chronic symptoms by connecting the dots between immune function, hormones, and the nervous system. Having navigated her own histamine-related health challenges, she brings a grounded, research-informed, and compassionate approach to helping people reduce sensitivities, restore energy, and reclaim a fuller life.

 ☀️CONNECT WITH DR. GOUGE☀️

Instagram @drlauragouge

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears 

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy and Brittany talk about what it’s like to live with chronic diarrhea:

—the social embarrassment it can cause

—the close calls we’ve had in public, including times we just didn’t make it to the toilet!

—the unhealthy coping mechanisms we had

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Many of us understand the benefit of PFT for pelvic pain, bladder, and bowel symptoms, but it’s hard to know how to actually find an expert PT. Amy speaks with Abby De Angelis about:

—where we can search online to start putting together names of potential PTs

—what kind of questions we should ask them to judge their knowledge and treatment plans

—examples of PFT practices they are likely to do during your appointment

🎤WHO IS ABBY DE ANGELIS?🎤

Abby De Angelis is a specialist in women’s physical therapy and has made it her mission to transform lives — especially during the profound and often complicated journey of chronic illness. Armed with a Doctorate from NYU and advanced certifications from the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery, Abby brings rare expertise to women’s health and pelvic floor therapy. But what truly sets her apart is her gift for crafting personalized care plans that help women reclaim their strength, feel comfortable in their own skin, and more confident than ever in what their body is capable of!

🔗Resources🔗

Clickable links at www.insixteenyears.com/episode154

🔗Herman and Wallace Find a Practitioner: https://pelvicrehab.com/

 ☀️CONNECT WITH ABBY☀️

Instagram @Lotustwinpt

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears 

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy speaks with Stephanie Moss, MD about:

—the importance of trauma-informed medical care

—how being an endometriosis patient has informed her perspective as a new doctor

—navigating disability accommodations and her insights on this as a medical student

🎤WHO IS DR. STEPHANIE MOSS?🎤

Stephanie Moss, MD, is an endometriosis warrior and a PGY-2 Psychiatry Chief Resident Physician at Rosalind Franklin University. Dr. Moss is an active public speaker and writer, with her work featured on platforms like MedPageToday, the American Medical Women's Association, Endometriosis Foundation, and Doximity. Her mental health advocacy has focussed on sharing stories of humanism in medicine on her podcast Life as a Patient-Doctor.

 ☀️CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE☀️

Instagram @stephmossmd

www.medpsycmoss.com

☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️

Instagram @in16yearsofendo

Website: www.insixteenyears.com

Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review!

Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears 

⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️

The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information on endometriosis, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/