Bindi Irwin has been taken for Instagram to share the news of her diagnosis after suffering in silence for ten years.
At Crikey! It’s The Irwins! star posted a photo of herself in a hospital bed on Tuesday and opened up about her health journey in the caption, writing:
“Dear friends,
I struggled for a long time wondering if I should share this journey with you in such a public place. So it’s a responsibility I feel to share my story with other women who need help.
As the 24-year-old mother continued, she described the “long road” she’s taken with chronic pain and no answers about what happened:
“For 10 years I have struggled with chronic fatigue, pain and nausea. Trying to stay positive & hide my pain has been a long road. The last 10 years have included many tests, doctor visits, scans, etc.
So sad…
Related: Robert Irwin Brings Tears With Birthday Message From Late Dad Steve!
Bindi finally had the answer she was looking for. She was officially diagnosed with endometriosis – in case you didn’t know, it’s a disorder where the tissue that normally covers the uterus grows outside of the uterus, causing irregular periods and severe pain, just to name a few symptoms.
The Australian TV personality wrote that she was almost given no options for treatment until her friend heard her:
“A doctor told me it’s the only thing you do as a woman and I gave up, tried to walk with the pain. I didn’t find the answer until my friend @lesliemosier helped me on the road to get my life back. I decided to do surgery for endometriosis. Going in for surgery was scary but I know that I can’t live like I was. Every part of my life is ruined by the pain.
Just terrible! He has amazing friends…
Daughter of Steve Irwin then he said the surgery was very extensive, but successful. He also took a moment to thank his family and loved ones for their support:
“To cut a long story short, they found 37 lesions, some very deep & difficult to remove, and brown cysts. @seckinmd’s first words to me when I recovered were, “How do you live with this pain?” Validation for years of pain is not can be explained. My family & friends who have been with me for 10+ years on this journey – THANK YOU, for encouraging me to find answers when I thought I would never get out. Thank you to the doctors and nurses who believed in my illness. I am there on the road to recovery and the gratitude I feel so much for.To those asking about canceled plans, unanswered messages and nothing – I have spent every ounce of energy I have left on my daughter and family.
Awesome!!
Ending the post, he reminds readers to always be kind because you never know what other people are going through:
“Things may look good on the outside looking at the window of a person’s life, but that’s not always the case. Please be gentle & take a break before you ask me (or any woman) when we’re going to have another child. After everything I’ve been through, I feel so grateful to have such a beautiful daughter.She feels like a miracle to our family.
I know millions of women who struggle with the same story. There is a stigma around this horrible disease. I share my story with anyone who reads this & quietly suffer & get no answers. Let this be your validation that your pain is real and that you deserve help. Keep looking for answers. www.endofound.org”
You can see the full post (below):
So glad to hear Bindi is on the road to recovery and doing well! We send him and all of Irwin’s love and light.
[Image via Instagram/Bindi Irwin]