Written by Kerrie Romeril
Hi, I’m Kerrie. I have endometriosis and adenomyosis. Due to these conditions, I have had many interactions with medical professionals over the years, including meeting some of the most incredible human beings to walk this earth!
I commenced my degree in 2020. That year, I also underwent my first emergency laparoscopic surgery due to increasing acute pain. I had my healthy appendix removed. Internal bleeding was found in my abdominal cavity and ‘cleaned up’ by a general surgeon. As I had not yet been diagnosed with endometriosis, my symptoms continued: pain, nausea, bloating, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue.
Yet, I still managed to study part-time, work part-time (30 hours a week), and be a mum to two toddlers, aged one and three at the time. I had an amazing husband by my side, I must add.
The following year, finding it increasingly difficult to manage my busy work, study, and home life alongside my chronic illness symptoms, I advocated for myself and finally found a gynaecologist who would see me and listen to my symptoms.
I was then scheduled for another laparoscopic surgery to diagnose and treat endometriosis. Endometriosis was found to have created adhesions, fusing my bowel, right ovary, and uterus together (sounds pretty painful, right? Think of adhesions like nasty spiderwebbing, pulling and feeling like fire…). I was finally diagnosed and received my first treatment.
However, my symptoms continued, and the following year, I had a hysterectomy due to endometriosis’s ugly sister, adenomyosis. During these years, I also trialled a few hormonal medications that may work for others but, unfortunately, did nothing but make my symptoms worse. I also had to manage nasty ovarian cysts, which are also very common with endometriosis.
While there is no cure for endometriosis, these interventions have helped me manage my symptoms. I still have days when I experience fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea and brain fog, but with recommendations from my physiotherapist, I’m able to work and exercise three to five times a week. These improvements have allowed me to pursue a full and functional life, and, most importantly, to use my experiences to be a voice for many others, both now and in the future.
On one occasion, I started a medication trial shortly before one of my placements was due to begin. I had only been on this medication for two weeks and found out three days before my placement that the medication was increasing my symptoms and my abdominal pain was excruciating. Not knowing how I’d make it, I forced myself to rest all weekend with my heat packs, lots of movies, reading, and naps. By Monday, I still made it to my placement and had an incredible experience. My surgeries and recovery time, on top of the leave I had to take for placement, made things financially challenging and reduced my personal capacity to complete my studies any sooner than I otherwise would have.
Despite often feeling defeated by my body and constantly wanting to give up, I will become a registered nurse this year and continue to be an endo warrior too. I hope my story inspires other students to keep going and be the best advocate for themselves and others too.
Charles Sturt University has been really flexible with how the online nursing program is delivered. For most of my degree, I took on a two-subject load. Other times, I’d step up to three, see what the content involved and assess what I felt I could manage, and either keep the third or drop the subject before census date. When things got rough, I took my load down to one subject. On one occasion, I took a Leave of Absence for a session altogether.
My three-year degree took me six and a half years, and that’s okay. So, to every other student who has thought ‘I can’t do this’, you absolutely can! Reach out for support and there’s a way to make it happen!
These experiences helped shape my choice to become a registered nurse myself and be the nurse my future patients, especially young women, will need and deserve.
For a full list of student support available at Charles Sturt, please visit the Support Services Directory.
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