Robert Irwin, son of the legendary Steve Irwin, has revealed just how serious his sister’s battle with endometriosis was, claiming that she was “going downhill fast” before her diagnosis.
Earlier this year, Bindi opened up on the fact that she’d been living with medical issues for a decade before undergoing surgery.
Bindi wrote: “Dear Friends, I battled for a long time wondering if I should share this journey with you in such a public space. It came down to the responsibility I feel to share my story for other women who need help.
“For 10yrs I’ve struggled with insurmountable fatigue, pain & nausea. Trying to remain a positive person & hide the pain has been a very long road. These last 10yrs have included many tests, doctors visits, scans, etc.
“A doctor told me it was simply something you deal with as a woman & I gave up entirely, trying to function through the pain. I didn’t find answers until a friend @lesliemosier helped set me on a path of regaining my life.”
I don’t know about you, but I was a huge fan of Steve Irwin, otherwise known as the Crocodile Hunter. For me, he was a pioneer, and the incredible conservation work he did will never be forgotten.
When Steve passed, he left behind his wife, Terri, and his two children, Bindi and Robert – then just eight and two respectively.
Though obviously heartbroken by the loss of their fantastic father, the family have endeavored to honor him every step of the way. They still own and operate Australia Zoo in Queensland, Australia, and both Bindi and Robert are actively involved in raising awareness for the plight of animals the world over.
Through the continuation of their legendary father’s work, Bindi and Robert have become stars in their own right, so it was with concern that fans received the news that Bindi had been sick for some time.
In a recent interview, Robert elaborated on his sister’s struggle, stating that it left him inspired to raise awareness.
“When it comes to women’s health, so often it’s thought of as a women’s discussion, a women’s issue, but this is something that we all need to talk about,” he told Australia’s “Sunrise” television program.
“Endometriosis, like so many women’s health complications, affects more people than we realize. So many women go undiagnosed with endometriosis and live through really hellish conditions.”
What’s more, Robert revealed that his sister was “going downhill fast”.
“Bindi was going downhill fast, and since getting treatment for endometriosis — after being turned down and completely written off as, ‘Oh, it’s all in your head’ or, ‘Oh, it’s normal’ — she finally got the help that she needed and the help she deserved,” the 19-year-old continued.
As per the Mayo Clinic, endometriosis is a disorder in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, grow outside the uterus. The World Health Organization say symptoms can include severe pain during periods, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, fatigue, nausea, depression, anxiety, and infertility.
Here’s to wishing Bindi Irwin the very best of health moving forward. I can’t imagine how frustrating it must be to live with such a condition.
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