Forward Health · Earlier answers. Brighter tomorrows.
Endometriosis Awareness & Community
A safe harbor in the midst of the storm
You deserve to be heard. You deserve answers. You deserve company along the way.
When pain leaves you feeling alone or the search for care reaches an impasse, come as you are. Here, we’re building a community to listen, share experiences, and help one another explore a next step.
Be aware. Protect yourself. Enjoy yourself. Help others.
You can pause. You can start again. You can say, “I’m having a hard time explaining this.” Your story still matters.
When pain makes it difficult to follow a conversation, you deserve patience. Choose one small starting point below. You can contact Christa by email without joining another app.
I need someone to listen
You don’t have to solve everything in one message. Begin with what feels hardest right now, and tell us whether you want listening, encouragement, or ideas.
Tell Christa the kind of support you’re looking for. If location matters, share just your state or region. We can explore possible next steps together.
These buttons open your email app; nothing is sent until you send it. Messages go to Christa at catoward@gmail.com. Replies depend on availability; this is not live chat or emergency support. Please leave medical records and sensitive identifying details out of email.
A quiet moment while you decide
There is no task to finish here. If it feels comfortable, let your shoulders settle and notice something around you. Breathe in whatever way is comfortable for you. Skip this if it doesn’t help.
You can begin with one sentence: “What I need someone to understand today is…” You are welcome to read quietly and come back later.
The community we’re building
Find a story that feels familiar.
Our vision is a collection of voluntary video and written stories, where you can hear someone’s experience in their own words and discover people you relate to—through age, life stage, interests, or the journey of living with pain.
Stories, then connection
Imagine choosing your state or region, watching a story that resonates, and asking whether that person is open to connecting. Location sharing and contact would always be optional. No home addresses or personal contact details would be displayed by default.
In development: this website does not yet host member videos, a map, member search, or private messaging. No member profiles are displayed. Christa’s video will be added when it is ready.
Your story, at your pace
You may prefer writing, audio, video, or simply listening. You don’t have to appear on camera or tell everything. If you are interested in sharing a story or helping shape this network, start a conversation with Christa.
An inquiry is not permission to publish. We will ask for your explicit permission and agree on what would be shared before publishing your story. Please inquire first rather than emailing recordings or medical documents.
I’m Christa Lomazzo. I live with Stage IV endometriosis and daily abdominal and pelvic pain. I had a hysterectomy in 2020, with my ovaries retained. My story includes surgery, persistent pain, searching for answers, and trying to keep living a meaningful life.
Architecture, writing, travel, and faith are still part of who I am. Seeing me smile or explore a place does not show you everything happening inside my body.
I want this space to help someone ask questions earlier—and help people living with pain feel less alone.
Stories to keep you company. You’re welcome here, whatever your beliefs.
Girls, pain deserves attention.
If period pain makes you miss school, interrupts sleep, or stops ordinary activities, ask for medical evaluation. Persistent pelvic pain and period-related bowel or urinary pain also deserve discussion. These symptoms can have several causes; they do not by themselves prove endometriosis.
What evaluation can involve
A clinician can discuss your symptoms and consider ultrasound. Specialist ultrasound or MRI may identify some forms of disease. A normal scan does not rule out endometriosis. Laparoscopy is surgery and may be considered, but surgery is not always required before treatment begins.
Ask: “Could endometriosis or another condition explain this? What is our next step if the scan is normal?”
Menopause and ongoing pain
Endometriosis can remain active or symptomatic after menopause. Hysterectomy is not a guaranteed cure. Persistent pain deserves assessment rather than an assumption that it is simply ageing.
Stage is not a pain score
Disease extent and pain severity do not reliably match. Your daily functioning matters, whatever your stage.
Education, not individual medical advice. Sudden severe pain, fainting, or other urgent symptoms need prompt medical attention.
Bring your experience to the appointment
Write down when symptoms happen, where they occur, how long they last, and what they interrupt. Include pain between periods, sleep, bowel or bladder symptoms, and what you have already tried.
Questions to take with you
What possible causes are you considering?
What can imaging tell us—and what can it miss?
What are my options, benefits, and possible side effects?
Would an endometriosis specialist or adolescent gynecology referral help?
When will we reassess if symptoms continue?
How are you today?
This optional check-in saves only your latest entry in this browser on this device. It is not submitted to Beacon or shared with a group. Other people using the same browser may see it. You can clear it below.
Connection, at your own pace
A safe harbor. A place to belong.
You don’t have to explain away your pain here. Come as you are—even if today all you have energy for is listening.
“For two years, I lived with daily pain believing there was no hope for a way forward. I know how it feels to be told there is nothing more to do. My hope is that someone arriving here finds a person who says, ‘I hear you. Let’s explore what might come next.’”
— Christa Lomazzo, founder
We may be able to help you find a useful question, a shared experience, or another resource to explore. You don’t have to have everything figured out to join us.
Forward Health is Beacon’s home for endometriosis awareness and connection. We’re growing a peer network where we can share our stories, offer useful information, and find company between meetings.
Another way to connect: Slack
Amanda and the Endo is a separate community on Slack. You may explore it if it suits you; joining Slack is not required to contact Christa or use Forward Health.
Join when you’re ready. Follow your current invitation and complete Slack’s joining steps.
Say hello—or just listen. There is no pressure to share a diagnosis, photo, or story.
Start one small conversation. Share something that helped, ask a question, or tell us what kind of support would feel good today.
Company today
“Today is a hard day. I would appreciate someone listening.” Let people know whether you want ideas, encouragement, or simply company.
Something that helped
Share a practical tip or a resource and explain your own experience. If you share factual information, include its source so others can explore it.
Your story, in your own way
You can begin with a private email inquiry to Christa using the story invitation above, or choose to share in a community you have joined. This website does not yet accept story uploads. Write as little or as much as you feel comfortable sharing; a video is never required.
A gentle place to begin
Something I wish people understood about endometriosis is…
One part of my journey I feel ready to share is…
Something that brought me comfort was…
Today I’m looking for listening / encouragement / practical ideas.
You can skip any prompt. There is no right way to tell your story.
How we care for one another
Give people time to finish, pause, or find their words. A camera can stay off. If audio is difficult, offer written information and check that it was understood. Ask, “Would you like me to listen, or would ideas help?” Believe that each person’s experience matters. Ask before offering advice. Respect different choices, backgrounds, and beliefs. Share your own experiences and ask permission before repeating someone else’s story.
Only share details you are comfortable letting other members see. Member posts are not permission for Beacon to publish a story on this website. Please keep medical records and identifying documents out of group conversations.
An adult peer network that is still growing. Participation and replies depend on members’ availability. Peer conversations do not replace medical or legal care or provide emergency support. This page does not represent an endorsement or official partnership with The Endo Co.
Christa’s story is already here on this page. Her video will be added when it is ready. The personal check-in stays on your device and is separate from Slack.
Help this light reach someone
Public education and participation in the peer network are intended to remain free. Share this page with someone who might need it. Donor and fundraising options are being explored; there is no active fundraiser on this page.
For general legal education, explore LEAF Legal. For travel ideas and planning inquiries, visit Wayfinder and Beacon concierge. These are other ways Beacon can help people move forward.
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