Help Alyssa raise money

For most of my adult life, I've lived with symptoms I didn't have a name for. My periods were brutally painful, I dealt with crushing fatigue, brain fog, and long stretches of stomach pain so severe I couldn't eat a full meal for weeks on end. I spent years in doctors' offices being told it was GERD, IBS, stress, weight, diet, just being a menstruating woman, anything except what it actually was. I learned to work through it when I could, sitting at my desk chugging Pepto with no relief, my stomach so distended and tender I could barely touch it.

In October 2025, everything came to a head. I suddenly had extreme pelvic pain (the kind I'd be trained to ignore) and vomiting, and assumed it was food poisoning. My partner pushed me to go to the ER. After 16+ hours of tests, they found fluid in my pelvis and couldn't locate my left ovary. I was rushed into a laparoscopic surgery for suspected ovarian torsion.

What they found instead were endometriosis and the aftermath of a ruptured endometrium. I was diagnosed with stage 3 endometriosis, meaning lesions throughout my pelvis and even on a couple of other organs.

The months since have been complicated. Hormonal treatments are rough. Pain management is tricky when anti-inflammatories upset my stomach. I'm learning how to balance living my life fully while also trying to avoid flares that can derail everything.

Running has been a long-term goal, a release, and a reminder that my body can do powerful things even when it feels like it's working against me. I'm excited to run alongside others who understand just how hard this disease can be and how much strength it takes to keep going.

Thank you for supporting me and everyone living with endometriosis.