We recently were asked to be a part of the filming of a television documentary about endometriosis in the United States. This filming was done by a wonderful Japanese TV crew, who also visited several endo specialists and universities doing research on endo as well. We participated along with the Endometriosis Research Center in Boca Raton, Fl, and the people involved were the "personal side" of the story.

We started out with a special endo meeting and guest speaker Dr. Andrew Cook from the Omega Institute of Health in Louisana, which was extremely informative and enlightening. Dr. Cook spoke of the latest techniques available for the removal of endo, which combines several different types of removal, not just one in particular. We asked questions that he answered as he went through his presentation. He spoke on adhesions, mood swings, bladder problems related to endo, varicose veins on the ovaries, alternative ideas to treatments, aromatase inhibitor studies, and diaphragmatic and thoracic ( lung ) endo. Dr. Cook also showed a video that examines the different types of endo lesions, what they look like, and what an area of what appears to be no endo, looks like under high magnification. The area was covered in microscopic endometriosis. It was really quite scary to see what can be and is missed due to lack of magnification, but it was comforting to know that this was discovered and can now be studied more so that more doctors will understand how these endo cells need to be magnified in order to "get it all". This makes sense as to why we are left in pain after multiple surgeries. If you can't see it, then you can't remove it.

The next morning started out with us walking along the beach with the camera crew filming us walking back and forth, and back and forth...... Then we were interviewed as to how endo affects us as a couple and how it affects our lives. They asked questions on the fertility issues this brings about, and how we deal with the ramifications of endometriosis.

Back with the rest of the ERC group, the camera crew focused on the "male" side on endo and what the MEN go thru, which led to the very first official MENDO meeting, consisting only of 3 males, including John and Dr. Cook. Not a very good turn out, but it proves the need for more men to be aware that they ARE a part of this disease, this is a couples disease, not just a females problem! The men need to understand that the suffering that THEY go thru is just as important as the suffering the woman goes thru. Maybe if more men understood the disease, they would be more understanding of why the woman acts, reacts, and responds to what endo hands out. Maybe if more women understood what the men go through they would be more understanding of why the man acts, reacts, and responds as well. Men suffer from endo too, just not physically. They suffer intimately, sexually, egotistically, and overall relationship-wise! Men do suffer ! More women need to understand this as well. Because the women sometimes treat this as if it is THEIR problem, they don't open up to their husband or significant other and tell them what they are feeling, TALK to them. Dr. Cook asked what the most important thing for couples who suffer from endo was and the answer we gave was COMMUNICATION ! This is so true. How many relationships would be saved if only couples would communicate more? Also men going with the women on their visits to the doctors and being there for them thru the surgeries and recoveries would help them to understand what a woman with endo goes thru and it would prove there IS a disease for those that didn't believe. It would also help to cement the relationship knowing that as a team they can face any adversity together. And as many of us have learned, this disease takes a lot away from us as a couple and/or family, so the ultimate way to payback this disease is to become a solid, strengthened couple and become stronger because of it, in the face of it.

Thank you !