Terra Stodtmeister, a Reno photographer well-known in the community, survived stage 4 endometriosis and had a long but ultimately infinitely rewarding experience with becoming a mother, through adoption.
During that process, Stodtmeister became a local advocate for those battling infertility.
“I started pushing really hard to get answers. I started seeing GI doctors, OBGYNs, allergists, like literally anyone who I could see. I even got my bloodwork done,” she says of her own journey to get treatment and understand what was happening with her body.
According to the Endometriosis Treatment Center of America “Stage 4 of endometriosis is considered severe. This stage is characterized by many deep endometrial implants and large cysts on at least one ovary. Thick adhesions appear throughout the pelvic region, causing widespread scar tissue and an increased risk of infertility. ‘
“No one said the word Endo [short for endometriosis],” Stodtmeister said of her initial medical appointments. “The first time I heard the word, Endo, I was sharing my story on Instagram and posting some of the symptoms I was having, and so many women dm’d me saying they thought I had endo,” she remembers of how people on social media came to the rescue.
Part of her journey can be found on her Instagram @redpoppymama
She joined Facebook groups allowing her to avoid unhelpful doctors, leading her to trustworthy doctors to help her with the pain she was enduring.
“There is a file on the Facebook page that shows you excision surgeons that have been kind of vetted, so then you're not going to multiple surgeons and having multiple abrasions, which is essentially just burning the inside of you,” said Stodtmeister.
By actively engaging with online communities and vetted resources, Stodtmeister navigated her path to recovery, finding an excision specialist all the way in Georgia. Her journey to feeling better underscores the importance of support and finding the right doctors.
With 5-10% of women in the 15-49 age range affected by endometriosis, Stodtmeister emphasized the need for more research and awareness.
“Having a buddy to go with you…is the first thing I wish I did,” she says.
Stodtmeister now serves as a resource for other women through her own social media platforms to help those struggling to find answers to understand similar diagnoses to what she endured.
“For me, sharing about endometriosis specifically and infertility, adoption, like so many things on social media have created better relationships, better friendships, and I feel like people can come together in a really beautiful way because they feel like they know you,” said Stodtmeister.
“It's been very affirming and really helpful for my journey and moving forward,” she concluded.