In this episode of the Chronic Tea Podcast, your host Tirzah dives deep into her personal journey with endometriosis in what turned out to be a longer episode—sorry in advance, but there was just so much to cover.Tirzah opens up about the early signs of her condition, the exhausting and emotional road to getting a diagnosis, and the constant dismissal she faced from medical professionals. She walks us through the tests she endured, the impact of medical gaslighting, and how she ultimately made the difficult decision to undergo surgery to remove endometriosis.This episode also explores the difference between ablation and excision surgery, the challenge of finding knowledgeable specialists, and the financial toll that often comes with managing a chronic illness. Tirzah doesn't shy away from discussing the emotional and mental health struggles tied to chronic pain, and how it’s affected her daily life and relationships.Throughout the conversation, she emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy, refusing to accept pain as a normal part of womanhood, and pushing for systemic change in how endometriosis is understood and treated. Tirzah shares hard-earned lessons in resilience, shifts in her perspective on health and life, and her hopes for a better future in endometriosis care.She wraps up the episode with a heartfelt message to those newly diagnosed—reminding them they are not alone, encouraging them to speak up, and to find strength in community.