Episode #15
We Got Lucky. That Is the Problem.
Two years. That was the “good” outcome. People with endometriosis commonly wait four to twelve years for a diagnosis. Our family received an answer in two—and somehow that made us lucky. That is completely unacceptable. This episode is not a takedown of doctors. Most healthcare providers I know have enormous hearts and entered this work for the right reasons. But good people still need better training, clearer information, and systems that make it easier to remain curious when the first answer does not fit. We have to stop treating the exam room like a courtroom. Patients should not have to prosecute their own pain. Families should not have to arrive ready for battle. Clinicians should not be expected to produce an immediate perfect answer. We need patients, families, clinicians, educators, and advocates working as a team. In this episode, I talk about the friends we have made through endometriosis advocacy, why diagnostic delay is bigger than one bad appointment, and what it means to believe someone without pretending we already know the answer. I am also introducing Period Pain, Explained. It is a free, private tool that helps young people organize their symptoms, describe how pain is affecting their lives, and begin a conversation with a parent, trusted adult, or healthcare professional. It does not diagnose anyone. It helps people find the words to ask for appropriate care. Use the free tool: https://www.mikebakerhq.com/ibelieveyou/ Read “The Decade Women Lose Before Anyone Believes Them”: https://www.mikebakerhq.com/writing/the-decade-women-lose-before-anyone-believes-them/ Explore the rest of my work: https://www.mikebakerhq.com/ This episode is sponsored by Shaka Electric , serving Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding North Idaho community with clean craftsmanship and clear communication. https://shakaelectricco.com/ Two years should not qualify as lucky. The next girl should not need luck at all.
