Alaska Endo Stories | Chapter 1
We recently opened up the opportunity for Alaskans to share their endo stories here on our blog and this is our first! We know how isolating endometriosis can be and for many of us, we get through because we read stories from others that give us hope or just help us to feel validated. The following submission is a great example of the importance of spreading the word about endometriosis. Many of us have gaslit ourselves (or our doctors have) into believing that what we’re feeling isn’t real or we’re just being dramatic. If Taylor hadn’t read Bindi Irwin’s story, she may still be living with the pain and exhaustion that comes with this disease.
The following story was submitted by Taylor Malnarick (name shared with permission). We hope her story resonates with you or encourages you to continue pushing for the care you deserve.
“I’m a certified surgical tech, Medical assistant, Alaska resident of 12 yrs, and mom of 2 young kiddos. So I’ve been familiar with endometriosis including having friends and family members diagnosed but I never thought I was one who had it because my symptoms didn’t mirror theirs. That is until I read Bindi Irwin’s story and dove down the Endo rabbit hole on social media to learn more. As I read story after story I began to connect some dots of symptoms I had since I was a teen but I still told myself I was nuts and I didn’t have it that I was a typical hypochondriac healthcare worker. That was until July 2025. I got my period back after having my second child but this was the first time cycles continued without birth control on board or another pregnancy to follow. And each cycle the symptoms were worse. Painful heavy bleeding; extreme debilitating fatigue that wasn’t explained by the typical mom tired; bowel issues returning and getting more severe leading to public poop my pants moments with my kids in tow. Painful ovulation; painful intercourse; you name it I had it on my list. I went to my OBGYN told her I think this is Endo and we proceeded with a pelvic ultrasound which didn’t show any signs of endo so I accepted that as my fate and considered getting an IUD again to manage the symptoms. Until March 2026 when Dr. Lindemann presented at our Surgical Tech CEU conference. Everything he explained was me to a T. So I went to him for a second opinion I did his pelvic ultrasound protocol and walked out of my appointment validated with an endo diagnosis. Because I was never crazy for 22 yrs what I thought was normal wasn’t. And now I have a place to help me recover and treat the disease. I want to be able to be an active present mom and enjoy my kids I want to feel like I can one day return to my Surg tech career without fear of my symptoms derailing my ability to work. I want my life back the way it should be. Because for 22 yrs nothing about my body has behaved normal. It wasn’t IBS, it wasn’t unexplained food intolerances , it wasn’t anything I did wrong. It was endo all along the silent vengeance beast that lives in my body. I have excision surgery in the near future and look forward to that being step 1 in my journey of real treatment of my disease. As a healthcare worker my passions have now changed; women’s health is my focus and I want to be involved in the Alaska Endo community anyway I can. From my social media to being a part of the Ak Endo foundation; because I’ve always cared about the health of Alaskan Women and will continue to advocate for us”. -Taylor Malnarick
Interested in sharing your own story? Uplifting or raw and real, we want to hear it all! You can choose to submit anonymously, use a false name, or use your own.
Submit your story HERE.
