Home and Away star Sarah Roberts has undergone major surgery to remove endometriosis from her uterus, colon and both ovaries.
On Friday, the 38-year-old actress shared a photo of herself in the hospital, revealing her post-operative wounds.
Sarah, who is married to co-star James Stewart, said she was relieved to finally be diagnosed with “stage two endometriosis” after years of suffering from pain.
Endometriosis is a painful condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of this layer.
According to IVF Australia, endometriosis can affect a woman’s chances of conceiving.
Home and Away star Sarah Roberts has undergone major surgery to remove endometriosis from her uterus, colon and both ovaries
Other debilitating symptoms include extreme fatigue and painful bowel movements.
The soap star admitted her condition had taken a toll on their three-year marriage.
“If you woke up today to yet another opportunity to add another page to the story of your life, then you owe it to yourself to write the most beautiful story imaginable,” she wrote in her lengthy post on Instagram.
“You owe it to yourself to find answers – even if it takes 5 years and 4 months, with unanswered questions from medical professionals, lack of fertility, testing relationships, grief and trying a bright smile to top the cocktail of confusion.” hide emotion in everything.’
She thanked her mother for her support during her battle with the disease and said she was relived when she finally received a diagnosis.
The soap star admitted her condition had taken a toll on her three-year marriage to James Stewart
Sarah said she was relieved to finally be diagnosed with stage two endometriosis after years of pain
“Fly your fingers on the keyboard the moment you woke up in the hospital after your laparoscopy and laughed SO HARD when the obstetrician finally told you that you had stage 2 endometriosis in your uterus, bowels and both ovaries scars bursting with relief on the unwritten pages of your future,” she wrote.
“You weren’t ‘crazy.’
She then encouraged other endometriosis sufferers to share their stories to help others and raise awareness.
“Let’s talk about it, write about it, read about it, because in sharing our experiences lies the power to help others, and I’m so grateful for the women who shared their experiences with me and pushed me to seek answers , while I was waving around in the dark,’ she said.
Sarah and James became engaged in November 2018 and married in July 2019 at Luttrellstown Castle on the outskirts of Dublin. In 2020, Sarah told Stellar magazine she had suffered two miscarriages since getting married
“We can be chaotic and fearful, but hopeful and brave in a community of warriors, support, consideration and appreciation all around us. Look into the light.’
Sarah and James became engaged in November 2018 and married in July 2019 at Luttrellstown Castle on the outskirts of Dublin.
Stewart, who plays Justin Morgan in Home and Away, shares daughter Scout, 10, with ex-fiancé Jessica Marais.
In 2020, Sarah told Stellar magazine she had suffered two miscarriages since getting married.
Speaking to Now To Love in October, Sarah brushed off persistent rumors that she and James had split.
“We’re happy,” she told the publication.
Sarah told the publication James, 46, is as romantic as ever and even picked her up from the airport with a bouquet of flowers after her recent trip to Italy.
It comes after Bindi Irwin opened up about her decade-long battle with endometriosis for the first time on Wednesday.
Stewart, who plays Justin Morgan in Home and Away, shares daughter Scout, 10, with ex-fiancé Jessica Marais
It comes after Bindi Irwin opened up about her decade-long battle with endometriosis for the first time on Wednesday
She announced that she had undergone major surgery for endometriosis in the United States.
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.
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.
“Things may look good on the outside, looking in through the window of someone’s life; However, that is not always the case,” said Bindi.
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.
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