Episode 22: Inside the Endometriosis Support Community with Advocate Vicki Kondovski

A Quest for Wholeness

💛 Missing Another Day of Work? Make Your Doctor’s Visits Effective! Download the free checklist here → https://zaap.bio/theendoadvocate/taking-another-day-off-make-your-doctor-visits-effective- 💛

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The Value of Community Support: The Endometriosis Canada Support Group, started by Vicki, offers a crucial platform for nearly 8,000 women to share experiences, discuss symptoms, and support one another. This community helps bridge gaps in understanding and care.
2. Importance of Moderation in Online Groups: Effective administration is key to maintaining a supportive and safe online space. Vicki highlights the need for a team to manage spam, trolls, and ensure focused discussions.
3. Personal Journey as Motivation: Vicki’s own struggle with endometriosis, from being dismissed by doctors to seeking treatment abroad, inspired her to create the support group. Her experiences underline the importance of advocacy and community support.
4. Sharing Experiences: The support group provides a space for women to discuss symptoms and treatments openly. This sharing helps members learn from each other and gain insights that may not be available through traditional medical channels.
5. Challenges in Canadian Healthcare: Many women in Canada face long wait times for specialist care, sometimes leading them to seek treatment outside the country. Vicki’s discussion sheds light on the systemic issues within the Canadian healthcare system.
6. Advocacy for Better Care: Vicki calls for increased awareness and education about endometriosis among medical professionals. She emphasizes the need for patients to be proactive in seeking the best care, even if it means going abroad.
7. Inclusivity in Support: The Endometriosis Canada Support Group is inclusive of all genders, recognizing that endometriosis can affect people beyond cisgender women. Vicki underscores the importance of supporting the transgender and intersex communities.
8. Self-Advocacy Tips: Vicki advises patients to keep detailed symptom journals, bring support people to appointments, and research treatment options thoroughly. A multidisciplinary approach to care is essential for effective management.
9. Navigating Treatment Options: When considering treatments like parasite cleanses, it’s crucial to seek professional guidance. Self-treatment without proper support can lead to adverse effects, especially if underlying health issues are present.
10. Holistic Lifestyle Tips: For overall well-being, Vicki recommends avoiding processed foods, drinking purified water, optimizing sleep, getting sunlight, and managing stress. These practices support both physical and mental health, complementing traditional treatments.

Guest Bio

💛 X: @endocansupport

💛 INSTAGRAM: endometriosis_canada

💛 FACEBOOK: Endometriosis Canada

Founder of Endometriosis Canada Support Group

Mom, wife, and fierce Endo warrior, Vicki Kondovski has dedicated her life to fighting for equality in healthcare. With a personal journey marked by struggles and triumphs, Vicki began the Endometriosis Canada Support Group nearly 9 years ago, creating a much-needed sanctuary for those affected by this chronic condition. Under her leadership, the group has flourished into a vibrant community of nearly 8,000 members, grounded in shared experiences, empathy, and understanding. Vicki's relentless advocacy and commitment to raising awareness have made her a beacon of hope and support for countless individuals navigating the complexities of endometriosis.

Host Bio

💛 INSTAGRAM: @questforwholenesspodcast, @theendoadvocate

💛 FACEBOOK: Lexi Burt

💛 LINKEDIN: Lexi Burt

💛 LINKS: zaap.bio/theendoadvocate

From a young age, Lexi Burt embodied qualities of being bossy, loud, and energetic. While not much has changed, she's learning to channel this spirited energy into more focused and appropriate areas. With a profound passion for holistic health, psychology, exercise, and nutrition, Lexi earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with Honours from Mount Royal University. A proud British Columbian, she finds solace and joy in nature through activities like camping, hiking, invigorating cold water swims, and her newfound love for outdoor rock climbing. Lexi holds a deep appreciation for concepts such as Hygge, the Blue Zones philosophy, and the overall tranquility of nature. Catch her outdoors, relishing moments with friends, family, her Corgi, and her lovely partner.

Resources Mentioned

💛 Nancy’s Nook

💛 Dr. Cameron Najah - A highly regarded endometriosis surgeon based in California, affiliated with Stanford. He was recommended as one of the best specialists for endometriosis.

💛 McMaster Hospital - Mentioned as having gynecologists who specialize in complicated endometriosis cases.

Credits

💛Intro music cred to @chrizpychriz https://www.instagram.com/chrizpychriz/

💛Braden and Troy at Amplifyou for supporting me in bringing this project into fruition, thank you guys.

Join us!

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