The Endo Chronicles

By Rosie Zayne

The world is full of busy people, millions of dreams, and amazing untold stories of struggles and victories. In this story, six women have their lives changed forever, with only one thing connecting them, aligning their otherwise wildly unrelated journeys.

This book is unlike anything you've ever read, diving into the realities of living with an illness that impacts the daily life, and the aspirations, of every 1 in 10 women. Endometriosis is one of the most painful and misdiagnosed conditions known to man, yet, it is hidden, hushed, and ignorantly shamed by society. Inspired by real stories and experiences, this contemporary fiction may just change your life, or the life of someone you know.

*A portion of the proceeds from this book will be donated to Endometriosis research and support causes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rosie Zayne
• Release date: Mar 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9781540102706

Book preview

The Endo Chronicles

By Rosie Zayne

Text Copyright © 2020 by Rosie Zayne

October 2020

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

All materials belong to the author. By reading this book, you agree not to steal, sell or copy this story, idea, or characters in any way.

This is a work of fiction, and any resemblances between the characters and persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

For permission requests, questions or comments to [e-mail].

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all the women surviving, living, and conquering with endometriosis, as well as those who have taken their lives because of it. You matter, you are strong, and those gone are missed.

To Ken, for saving my life, pushing to get me diagnosed, and helping me believe in love. To you and Ethan, for helping me push through the pain every day, and conquer this life.

To God, for showing me I’m stronger than I ever knew I could be, and for being there with me, every step of this wild life.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

~ Note from the Author ~

About the Author

Chapter 1

CHICAGO - A SHINY, bustling city in the northern midwest of America, full of busy people, millions of dreams, and amazing untold stories. Six unique women have their lives changed forever, only one simple thing connecting them, aligning their otherwise wildly unrelated journeys.

For example, Scarlet is ridiculously wealthy, has been happily married for two blissful years, and desperately wants a baby. She’s even willing to spend a small fortune on various methods to help her stubborn body conceive a child. Her straight black hair and piercing green eyes mix with her high-end clothes and commanding nature, making her far more intimidating than her short stature would suggest.

She’s a complete opposite to Lucy, the middle-class perpetual-student, who spends her modest budget on traveling with her husband Dan. Married for over a decade, and addicted to adventure and adrenaline rushes, she couldn’t want children any less if she tried. Her brunette pixie cut and sharp blue eyes made her stand out from most women her age, and when asked how she keeps her thirty-five year old face looking sixteen, she happily attributes it to a lack of kids, and a passionate love for life.

As different as Scarlet and Lucy are from each other, neither of them would be able to relate well to Sarah, a single mother to a baby girl, living off her grocery-store shelf-stocker job, scraping by as best she can. Her dirty blonde hair is usually in a tired mom-bun, and her brown eyes hidden by dark bags and exhaustion, she forgot what makeup was in her third trimester. With no family alive, and all her friends gone since she got knocked up, she does her best to survive day to day.

All three women of the group definitely contrast each other, and each have unique outlooks on life. None of them would have considered being friends with each other, let alone supporting one another.

Anna is the quietest member of the group, although she’s learning to be more bold, and is doing her best to come out of her shell more. Her modest manager position at a local bookstore allows her to live a quiet life, and hide behind a constant stack of books. Her wild red hair makes her stand out far more often than she likes, and is directly responsible for the great guy she met last week. She hopes for marriage one day, if she can find anyone worth being around for more than a week, and is still on the fence about kids in general.

She and Beth, who swore off men the first time a foster parent touched her inappropriately, wouldn’t normally have gotten along at all. Beth is often quiet, but not from being shy - she’s extremely bold, her upbringing in the foster care system as an orphan putting enough rough edges on her to resemble a porcupine. Her short black hair usually hidden underneath a beanie, allowing her dark brown eyes to glare at anyone who annoyed her, which was usually everyone. Barely eighteen, and having been on her own already for years, she had no interest in a relationship or a family.

In the middle of these two, and the last member of the group, is Margarette, who’s about to have the best night of her life, followed by the worst Monday of her life.

On the last Friday evening in September, she worked her stubborn brunette curls into what she hoped was a fancy-looking up-do. She was already in the killer dress she’d found on sale that afternoon, showing off her ample curves and long legs. She had never enjoyed dressing up much, until she met Mike - he changed everything for her. She smiled at the memory of their first meeting.

They had both been in the park on a warm Spring morning, his dog happily chasing the frisbee he’d thrown near a hundred times. She was captivated by him, and he seemed to have just as much interest in her, glancing over his shoulder to give her a charming smile each time the frisbee left his fingers. He asked for her number on his way out of the park, which she happily gave, excited when he called her a few minutes later. Their coffee date that afternoon, the first of many, led to a whirlwind romance she still couldn’t believe she’d wound up in.

As she applied the final touch to her makeup, she smiled, completely head over heels for the man she’d only known for six months. If her friend’s intel was correct, she’d be changing her facebook status to engaged before midnight.

As soon as the buzzer rang, she was out the door, hoping for the most romantic night of her life.

Mike didn’t disappoint.

After a fancy dinner, they shared a walk in the same park that had brought them together, leaving elated, with a very respectable-sized rock on her left hand. If she smiled any wider, her face would most likely crack, but she didn’t care. They were both completely happy and enjoyed their high all weekend long.

As Monday came, Margarette mused how today’s doctor appointment couldn’t even ruin her good mood. Mark had to work, but promised to stop by her apartment when he took his lunch break, and she couldn’t wait to see him. He knew a little of what was going on with her, but she hadn’t shared much with him yet. It would only ruin their romance.

Nine in the morning, she sat in the waiting room of her gynecologist. Hopefully, the kind woman would have some answers for her. She couldn’t think of anything that explained her horrendously painful periods, which were also heavy enough to cause chronic anemia. Her doctor had seemed worried at their initial appointment a couple weeks ago, assuring that pain that caused her to vomit and pass out wasn’t normal.

You should have some discomfort and maybe an achy feeling from the cramping, and mild pain is fairly common, but it shouldn’t be like this. If basic pain-medicine doesn’t stop the pain, that’s definitely cause for concern. the doctor had explained. The MRI will tell us if there’s anything down there we need to look at.

The MRI had happened a week later, and Margarette was somewhat nervous to hear to results today. There wasn’t anything seriously wrong with her, was there? Google hadn’t given her much info, and had only freaked her out. Mike had encouraged her to forget it and wait for the appointment today, which she happily did, focusing on him instead.

Now that the appointment was upon her, all those nerves she’d ignored the past week seemed to be screaming all at once, causing her heart to race. As the nurse called her name, she took a deep breath, nothing else to focus on now, but the information she would soon receive. It made her slightly nervous when her doctor came straight in after her - usually, she had to wait in the room a little while.

Hello, Margarette. How are you feeling today? Dr. Hammond asked, smiling gently as she sat on the little doctor’s stool, opening the file in her hands. She was one of the best endo specialists in the world, and one of the best OB-GYN doctors in Chicago.

Okay. Margarette swallowed hard, trying not to let her nerves get the best of her. Mike proposed on Friday! she shared, her enthusiasm helping to calm some of the butterflies in her stomach, as she raised her hand to show the older woman her new ring.

Congratulations! Dr. Hammond exclaimed, genuine joy filling her face. How exciting!

It is! she nodded, looking down at her decorated finger. We haven’t started making any plans yet, but it was such a wonderful weekend.

Awe, I’m glad to hear it. Such a wonderful time. Dr. Hammond smiled, letting her smile linger for a moment, before clearing her throat. Well, hopefully our talk today won’t dampen your spirits too much. I have your MRI results here. she lifted the file slightly, her face turning to the classic doctor mode face they all seemed to put on.

Is it bad? Margarette squeaked, swallowing past the lump in her throat.

Well, I’m not sure yet. Dr. Hammond explained. We didn’t see any uterine-fibroids or cysts, which I was hoping for, honestly - they’re easier to fix than the causes that are left. It’s narrowed down the possible conditions though, and I’m afraid my gut is looking more correct.

What do you think it is?

I can’t be certain yet, but my gut tells me you have endometriosis. the doctor said gently, letting the word sink in a moment.

What is that?

"To put it simply, endometriosis is a condition where the tissue in the uterus, the part that normally bleeds every month, somehow grows outside the uterus. It reacts to