By Jo Scrimshire For Chron Australia 20:15 07 Mar 2023, updated 21:26 07 Mar 2023
Bindi Irwin underwent major surgery for endometriosis in the United States.
The daughter of the late Steve “The Crocodile Hunter” Irwin opened up about her decades-long battle with the disease for the first time in a lengthy Instagram post Wednesday morning.
The 24-year-old conservationist – who shares daughter Grace Warrior with husband Chandler Powell – also posted a confronting photo of herself in a hospital bed after the surgery.
The crikey! It’s the Irwins star who said she spent ten years torn [by] the pain” and knew she needed surgery because she “couldn’t live like I did.”
She explained how the surgeon from the Seckin Endometriosis Center in New York City removed a total of thirty-seven lesions and one “chocolate cyst” — a term for a cyst filled with menstrual blood.
Bindi Irwin, the daughter of the late Steve ‘the Crocodile Hunter’ Irwin, underwent major surgery for endometriosis at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City for the first time about her years-long battle with the disease on Wednesday
Doctors at the Seckin Endometriosis Center typically perform surgeries at Lenox Hill Hospital on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
Endometriosis is an often painful condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus also grows outside the uterus.
There is a wide variety of symptoms: pain can affect areas ranging from the abdomen and lower back to the pelvis and vagina.
Other symptoms include painful intercourse, abnormal menstrual periods, nausea, bloating and painful bowel movements.
Bindi wasn’t sure at first if she wanted to speak publicly about her health, but decided to speak out because she hoped to help other women struggling with endometriosis.
She also wanted to draw attention to the fact that doctors often don’t take the disease seriously enough, pointing out that a doctor once told her that pain is just a normal part of being a woman.
“For ten years I have been struggling with insurmountable fatigue, pain and nausea. Trying to stay positive and hide the pain went a very long way,” she began.
“Lost tests, doctor visits, scans, etc. have been included over the past decade.”
WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue resembling the lining of the womb (uterus) grows outside of this layer, causing pain and/or infertility.
There is a wide range of symptoms – pain can affect areas ranging from the abdomen and lower back to the pelvis and vagina.
Other symptoms include painful intercourse, abnormal menstrual periods, nausea, bloating and painful bowel movements.
The diagnosis of endometriosis can only be made by a laparoscopy and removal of a tissue sample.
There is no cure, but treatments such as hormones and excision surgery are available.
Source: Endometriosis Australia
Bindi continued: “A doctor told me it was just something to deal with as a woman and I gave it up entirely and tried to function through the pain.
“I didn’t find any answers until a friend, Leslie Mosier, helped me get my life back. I have decided to have surgery for endometriosis.’
She said “it was scary going through surgery, but I knew I couldn’t live the way I did,” adding that “every” aspect of her life was “torn apart” because of the pain .
“In short, they found thirty-seven lesions, some very deep and difficult to remove, and one chocolate cyst,” she continued.
Bindi (pictured with her husband Chandler, brother Robert, mother Terri and daughter Grace) said she spent ten years “torn up”. [by] the pain” and knew she needed surgery because she “couldn’t live like I did.” She added of her symptoms: “Things may look good on the outside when you look in through the window of someone’s life, but that’s not always the case.”
Bindi revealed her surgeon’s first words after waking up from the procedure: “How have you lived with so much pain?”
She said it was an “indescribable” feeling to get this “reassurance” from a doctor after years of doctors wiping her pain away, before thanking her family and friends for encouraging her to find answers .
“Thank you to the doctors and nurses who believed in my pain,” she added. “I am on the road to recovery and the gratitude I feel is overwhelming.”
The DWTS champion went on to address how the pain had impacted her life and how she had tried to cover up the issue with positive posts on social media.
“To those questioning the canceled plans, unanswered messages and absence — I have poured every ounce of my remaining energy into our daughter and family,” she said.
“Things may look good on the outside, looking in through the window of someone’s life; however, this is not always the case.’
Bindi also warned against asking women about their family plans, as you never know if they are struggling with a condition like endometriosis, which can affect fertility.
Bindi revealed her daughter Grace (right) was a “miracle” baby as endometriosis can affect fertility in women. The couple married in March 2020 (pictured)
“Please be gentle and pause before you ask me – or any other woman – when we’re going to have more children. After everything my body has been through, I am incredibly grateful that we have our beautiful daughter. She feels like the miracle of our family,” she said.
“I know that millions of women are struggling with a similar story. This terrible disease is stigmatized. I share my story with all of you reading this who are silently grappling with pain and no answers.
“Let this be your affirmation that your pain is real and you deserve help. Keep looking for answers,” she concluded.
Bindi’s brother Robert, 19, praised his ‘hero’ sister on Instagram, writing: ‘So proud of you. It’s been a long struggle through a decade of pain, but you’re finally on the road to recovery. I’m so happy you can have your life back.
“Endometriosis is a terrible, debilitating disease and too many women endure it in silence or go undiagnosed.
“Bindi, your story of resilience is a beacon for women around the world who are suffering — and it’s a wake-up call for men, too. It is everyone’s responsibility to be allies for women’s health and to help raise awareness. You never know who suffers in silence.”
Bindi’s brother Robert (right) praised his ‘hero’ sister, writing: ‘It’s been a long struggle through a decade of pain but you are finally on the road to recovery. I’m so happy you got your life back’
Her husband Chandler, 26, said: “You are my inspiration to be as strong as I can be in every aspect of life. Seeing how you overcame the pain to care for our family and continue our conservation work while absolutely stricken with endometriosis will inspire me forever.
“The greatest gift of all is knowing you’ve come the other side of surgery completely endometriosis-free. I can’t wait to start this new chapter of life with you.”
Family friend Emmy Perry added: “Sending you love and comforting hugs, you are an inspiration through everything! Loving You!’
Bindi has spent her life in the limelight as the daughter of famed conservationists Steve and Terri Irwin.
Steve, known to millions around the world as ‘the crocodile hunter’, died on September 4, 2006 at the age of 44 after being stung in the chest by a stingray while filming a documentary about the Great Barrier Reef .
Bindi was just eight years old at the time.
After his death, Steve’s family, including his children Bindi and Robert, widow Terri and son-in-law Chandler, have continued his work to protect wildlife at Australia Zoo on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
Bindi has spent her life in the limelight as the daughter of famed conservationists Steve and Terri Irwin (both pictured).