Hi everyone! My name is Samantha Bowick and I’m the author of two books Living with Endometriosis: The Complete Guide to Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Treatment Options and Living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency: The Complete Guide to Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Treatment Options. I decided to write Living with Endometriosis because I was going through so many different treatments for endometriosis that I really couldn’t find much information on at the time and I felt like it could possibly help others who were going through the same thing. I decided to write Living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency because it’s an illness that my mom has, my uncle had before he passed away, a lot of people don’t know about, and I felt like it could help others who may be suffering with it.
Have you ever heard of endometriosis? Are you suffering with endometriosis? Do you know someone who has endometriosis?
I want to give you some background information about endometriosis in case you’ve never heard of it. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found in other places of the body like ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels, bladder, as well as others. It can be found anywhere in the body, which means it is not only a reproductive disease. Symptoms include debilitating periods and pelvic pain, painful bowel movements, painful intercourse, irregular periods, infertility, as well as others. At least 176 million people worldwide or 1 in 10 suffer with endometriosis every day and there is no cure.
Living with Endometriosis details my journey with endometriosis from diagnosis in 2010 to 2017; treatments I tried during this time including six surgeries, birth control, Lupron, bio-identical hormones, diet changes, exercises, and more; medical information about the disease; questions to ask your doctor; and contains a Foreword from Dr. Sinervo who is a world-renowned endometriosis specialist. Living with Endometriosis is the 2018 American Best Book Award Winner in the Health: Women’s Health category from American Book Fest, a 2018 Semi-Finalist in Chanticleer’s Review Non-Fiction Instructional & Insightful category, and a 2019 International Book Awards Award-Winning Finalist in the Health: Women’s Health category from American Book Fest. It was published April 24, 2018.
Have you ever heard of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency? Are you suffering with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency? Do you know someone who has alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency?
I want to give you some background information in case you have never heard of it. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency occurs when the liver doesn’t produce enough alpha-1 antitrypsin protein, which helps the lungs function. A normal level of the protein is above 90mg/dL. There is no cure for this deficiencyand it is listed as a disability. A weekly infusion can be given to slow the progression of disease and supplemental oxygen can be used to help with shortness of breath as well as inhalers. Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a genetic condition; we get one allele from each of our parents. People can have the illness (Ex. ZZ) or they can be carriers (Ex. MZ, MS). An “M” is the good allele meaning a person doesn’t have any form of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and an “S” or “Z” means that the illness is present in some form of their genes. Symptoms include a large decrease in lung function in a short amount of time, shortness of breath, chronic respiratory infections with or without coughing and mucous, low oxygen saturation, as well as others.
Living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency details my mom’s (Marie’s) and family’s journey with the deficiency, treatments my mom has tried, hospital stays, medical information about alpha-1, questions to ask your doctor, contains a Foreword from her pulmonologist Dr. Sanito; and more. It was published August 27, 2019.
If you would like to purchase a copy of Living with Endometriosis and/or Living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, you can contact me on Facebook, Instagram , or Twitter . Copies can also be purchased online from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, and anywhere books are sold.
Thank you so much to Amber for having me on her blog to talk about endometriosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, each book,and to you for reading and your support!
Take care,
? ?Samantha
Along with being an author, Samantha has a Master of Public Health (MPH); is the founder of Chronic Illness Support, LLC; created the Chronic Illness Support podcast launching in October, is a patient ambassador with the Chronic Disease Coalition, and an advocate with AWARECauses. You can also connect with Samantha on her website: https://www.samanthabowick.com
Editorial Reviews
“Living with Endometriosis serves as an integrative guide for anyone who has or cares for someone with this painful and enigmatic disease. Both a memoir and educational review, Samantha has given a voice – and hope – to others by sharing her journey in a brave, straightforward way. The valuable insight, resources, coping strategies and personal triumphs found herein will empower others to take charge of their health, connect to better care and support, and to live well – in spite of endometriosis.”
— Heather C. Guidone, Surgical Program Director, Center for Endometriosis Care
“Many women living with endometriosis will relate to Samantha’s experience as described eloquently in her book: having her pain and symptoms dismissed and misdiagnosed, seeing multiple doctors, and enduring many failed treatments. However, Samantha’s book also offers hope for women who are suffering, in its descriptions of all the current medical and alternative treatments for endometriosis, and in her own personal story of what has worked for her. Samantha’s honest descriptions of her experiences with endometriosis are especially valuable since frank discussions of endometriosis often involve subjects that are still taboo in our society. Samantha encourages women to speak up about their disease and not suffer in silence, to research their options, and to take charge of their health.”
–Philippa Bridge-Cook, PhD, Executive Director of TheEndometriosis Network Canada
“Endometriosis affects an estimated 176 million individuals globally at significant personal and societal costs. Yet despite its vast prevalence, the disease remains underappreciated. Diagnostic delays continue, substandard care is constant, and misinformation surrounding endometriosis abounds. This is a book of validation, hope and encouragement: by sharing her personal journey, sound advice and disease education, author Samantha Bowick empowers others to seek out optimal care through early intervention, accurate diagnosis and proper treatments, enabling them to live well in spite of endometriosis.”
–Michelle E. Marvel, Founder & Executive Director, Endometriosis Research Center
“Samantha Bowick expertly blends clinical explanations of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency with patient testimony, providing insight into the everyday challenges experienced by those who battle this rare condition. Living with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency outlines the common misconceptions about this condition and the financial hardship it places on patients. Whether you’re an Alpha-1 patient, a family member or friend, there is something for everyone within Bowick’swork.”
— Scott Bruun, Executive Director of the Chronic Disease Coalition
