Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects at least 1 in 10 women in our country, yet this condition hardly receives any attention. Vaidi Plovie (34) wants to change that. The Ingelmunsterse herself has been fighting a courageous battle for twenty years and wants to take the disease out of the taboo atmosphere with Project Endo.Insideout. On Sunday, March 12, she organizes a free photo shoot for fellow sufferers and wants to bring them into contact with each other. “We need to talk about this,” she says.
Vaidi Plovie (34) and her husband Bram Defoirdt (35) have been the proud parents of Bregje for three years now, but that desire to have children seemed a distant and unattainable dream for a long time. The Ingelmunsterse has been struggling with endometriosis for more than half her life (see box, ed.)a condition that, among other things, significantly reduces the chances of a successful pregnancy.
“As a teenager I already suffered from painful periods,” explains Vaidi. “My GP didn’t smell any danger at the time and the gynecologist advised me to take the pill at a young age, but the complaints only got worse. Painful intestines, so-called bladder infections, vomiting, heavy bleeding… I have visited countless specialists and even ended up in the emergency department a few times with unbearable abdominal pain.”
“Bregje is our miracle baby. And worth every fight”
Only when Vaidi and Bram thought about expanding their family in 2018, a year after their marriage, did the correct diagnosis come to light. “I stopped taking the pill and three days later the pain was unbearable. I barely functioned.”
Seven o’clock operation
Eventually, Vaidi turned to UZ Leuven, where she was thoroughly examined in early September 2018. “With endometriosis as verdict,” she continues. “I went under the knife for the first time in December of the same year, followed by a second and very complex procedure in March 2019. I was operated on for seven hours”
“The doctors removed 16 centimeters of bowel, my appendix was removed, as was part of my bladder. My peritoneum was peeled off, the uterus cleaned up, the ovaries detached… Unfortunately, not all of the endometriosis could be removed: part of my liver and diaphragm was too deep.”
After a heavy rehabilitation, Vaidi and her husband were told in June 2019 that the chance of a successful pregnancy was minimal. “Although they would do everything they could to help us anyway. We were advised to try the natural route for the first six months, after which an IVF process would be started for us.”
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found outside the uterus. This abnormal tissue contains endometrial glands. They secrete substances that irritate surrounding tissues and even cause them to bleed. The immune system responds by releasing inflammatory proteins that cause swelling and inflammation.
This causes severe pain, adhesions and scar tissue. In many cases, organs – uterus, bladder, intestines, ovaries – can be affected, with an impact on urinary, intestinal and sexual functions. Endometriosis tissue can also occur in places in the body outside the pelvis: such as the diaphragm, lungs and very exceptionally even the heart and brain.
The condition has an enormous physical and mental impact, which can affect both private life (social and intimate relationships, desire to have children…) and professional career.
At the end of August Vaidi turned out to be pregnant. “The best news we could ever get,” she beams. “My pregnancy was very bumpy, but when we could hold Bregje in our arms on April 15, 2020, we were the happiest mom and dad in the world. Bregje is our miracle baby. She was worth every fight.”
Today things are going a lot better with Vaidi. “My quality of life is much higher than it was a few years ago,” she says. “But the endometriosis is not gone. Pain has become a permanent part of my existence. I have learned to accept that. And I’m far from the only one who struggles every day endo must live.”
That is why Vaidi decided to pour her story into an Instagram page in the spring of 2019. “On @endo.insideout I have shared my entire journey, until today. Then I discovered that a lot of women had to deal with this. People sent me their experiences or even asked me for advice.”
“It feels good to help fellow sufferers, because I missed that during my most difficult moments. Your loved ones offer you a listening ear, but it is impossible to know exactly how it is for you.”
Now Vaidi’s online initiative is also getting a tangible follow-up. “In October, federal member of parliament Nathalie Muylle (CD&V) from Roeselare contacted me. She was working on a resolution to improve endometriosis care in our country and wanted to hear my story. We fight for the same goal: endo make it more visible and take it out of that goddamn taboo atmosphere. We have to talk about this.”
alarm bell
Now Vaidi hosts Project Endo.Insideout. On Sunday March 12, she organizes a day in ‘t Vossenhol By Bazoeka in Tiegem where endo patients can have themselves portrayed by photographer Stijn Huyghe during a free photo shoot. He also captured captivating footage of Vaidi on her journey to cope with endometriosis.
The photos will be used during an online campaign and an expo this summer. “But I also want to bring fellow sufferers together and let them talk to each other in a safe environment. Nathalie Muylle will also be there, just like Ellen Andries. She also suffers from endometriosis and made the gripping documentary MyEndo.”
March is also International Endometriosis Awareness Month. “We must act now. Too many women still miss the right diagnosis and help. I myself had to wait fifteen years. That is far from normal. That’s why I’m sounding the alarm. Together we are strong and we can make a difference.”
