Wendy Crispe

As a mom of a daughter who is an Endo Survivor and Warrior, I have always been determined to support my daughter Payton through every success she has had and through every challenge in her life.  I/we never knew what was ahead of us when she was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis four years ago at the age of 22 out of nowhere.  From the moment of the diagnosis in NYU ED I knew that I had to become her biggest advocate in the journey to manage and understand this chronic disease. Just like any mom, I jumped into the rabbit hole head first and spent countless hours researching endometriosis, tirelessly searching for effective treatments, potential cures (which we know don't exist yet!), and surgical options.  During the beginning of Payton's diagnosis, she was not in the headspace to try anything, pain was now her bedfellows and she needed to come to embrace her New Normal.  Her journey of moving to NY to study in college and pursue her dreams took a detour - an Endo pause bottom was hit on her dreams temporarily. I fully supported whatever she needed to do but my focus was and has been on finding the best possible care for her, whether it involves seeking out expert opinions, trialing new therapies, or trying out various supplements that could offer relief. I’ve read every piece of literature I can find, from medical journals, and Dr Seckin's Book to personal stories, ensuring that my daughter’s path to healing is as informed and empowering as possible.

Through this experience, I've learned the importance of persistence, patience, and unconditional love. Navigating the complexities of endometriosis, with its wide array of symptoms and unpredictable nature, has been a rollercoaster then and every day not only for her but as her mom watching her face this path she didn't choose to be on. But with every setback, we’ve found strength in seeking out the best specialists, Dr. Seckin and Dr. Chu have changed Payton's life or I should say - they helped her get her life back.  My daughter’s resilience has inspired me never to stop learning about the disease, and together, we've embraced a holistic approach to managing her health. Every discovery and step forward, whether big or small, is a victory as we continue our search for the most effective treatments, therapies, medications, and, ultimately, hope for a cure.  She is my hero and she astounds me every day with her positive attitude and her smile even when I know she has days that she is still in pain.