Tag / poem collection

by Celine U. Gjersvik

Endometriosis Awareness Month: Let’s Elevate Women’s Health

Endometriosis Awareness Month

Endowarrior is what we say,

But it doesn’t even begin to portray,

The many pains, frustrations, and disbelief,

From society and far wider than the school Dean. Yeah, back during gym sessions, class of strict teachers, and all those runs to the lo. “No more to the toilet for you”. Bleeding through tampons, pads, and jeans. We were just teens. So little empathy given for the young; “period pains are part of womanhood” came out from their tongue.

💛

So often we’re met with disbelief,

For apparently normality is what they all portray it and it seems.

But pains like these are far too much,

To be anything but normal as such.

Still doctors tells you no,

Even when you’ve done the research and almost know. A few tests and the right gyno could solve a lot, but then they lack knowledge of such.

💛

Cries, vomit, and unexplainable pain,

Will make any people go insane.

Far worse than pain itself,

Is the disbelieve in oneself.

Is all just in my head like they all ensured and said to me,

Or is the fault in lack of knowledge of thee?

💛

It’s time to wake up and fight,

Fight for a human right.

Right as a woman to be heard,

Not met with absurd.

Knowledge of doctors and society we must,

Let’s lift the problem and trust.

When someone has excruciating pain,

Don’t make them feel far from sane.

Hear their words and reassure,

Though they might lack the knowledge to find,

They will acknowledge you, and contact people who could figure out what’s “wrong with you”. Rather admit to the boundaries of knowledge, than just saying no.

Endometriosis awareness month, but let’s lift it to science of female health. Health is your greatest wealth after all, and I’m sure we’ll find it profitable for all. Investors, society and women around the world, knowledge must be power for sure. When one in ten females has the disease, I question how come we haven’t researched more and found a better cure? Painkillers, the pill, and operations are only useful for a while,

But there should be something more worthwhile.

Until then,

Fight your way through life,

For who says you can’t dance in life while still fighting a strife?

March is the #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth – join the conversation!

The aim is to increase awareness and highlight the symptoms of the condition that affects about one in ten women, with average of about 7 years to get diagnosed.1 The difference between endometriosis and adenomyosis is where the tissue grows, but the two are not mutually exclusive as adenomyosis is seen in 20-89% of women with endometriosis. Adenomyosis is when endometrial-like tissue grows into the muscle of the uterus, while endometriosis is when endometrial-like tissue grows outside the uterus (like on the ovaries, fallopian tubes)2.

My personal story

Last year I got very sick with a lot of different viruses and bacterial infections, resulting in severe constipation, vomiting, fainting, ER visits, and more. One part of the total package of examinations was testing for endometriosis and/or adenomyosis due to a gynecologist who had previously that year found tissue evidence supporting the diagnosis. Before this gynecologist, I’ve been to several different ones and GPs regarding my period pains and flood, but all previous healthcare professionals have turned down my inquiry for testing and been certain in their knowledge that I did not have either, or. Even the doctor who gave me coagulation pills as a teenager, nor the gyno whom I meet at 16 years old for pains. Teachers at my schools were harsh when I had to run to the toilet so much, even though my mother had given a note in advance… even when I was one of the few at secondary school who followed every lecture with a hawk’s eye and sharp pencils writing down every word….

One year ago, right after the first doctor who acknowledged me, I wrote the poem above. One year ago, I didn’t have the courage to publish it. After all last year, I grew, and this year, it’s out. This year I have the courage to stand by it and every word in it. This year, I’m taking a stand – we need to invest more in #womenhealth!

Resources

I’ve collected a few information resource links below, but please note that I’m not a doctor and to use critical thinking when searching the web. Moreover, please contact a doctor you trust or ask for a GP and/or a gynecologist with experience in the field if you resonate with the above and suspect it could be Endometriosis or Adenomyosis:

Videos for educational purposes found on Youtube:

• Endometriosis: Causes, Pathophysiology, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment by JJ Medicine here. Short and to the point with info-graphics.

• Endometriosis – Overview (pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, investigations and treatment) by Armando Hasudungan here. Easy to follow drawing video, but a bit longer than the first video.

• Why Medicine Often Has Dangerous Side Effects for Women | Alyson McGregor | TED Talks here.

• What is endometriosis? A Mayo Clinic expert explains here.

• Nurse With Endometriosis Shares Painful Journey To Diagnosis | TODAY here. You’ll feel less alone with this one.

Websites

• Global Forum for news and information, endometriosis.org

• Endometrioseforeningen (Norway)

• Legeforeningen (in Norwegian, but check the references for sources)

• Google Scholar search here

/

References

  1. Endometriosis Awareness Month 2023. (n.d.). Awareness Days Events Calendar 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/endometriosis-awareness-month-2023/
  2. EMajak, B., G., Tellum, T., Ringen, M., I., Veddeng, A., Langeland, K., Alvirovic, J., Omtvedt, M., & Aas-Eng, K. (2021). Endometriose og adenomyose. Norsk gynekologisk forening. Retrieved February 15, 2023, from https://www.legeforeningen.no/foreningsledd/fagmed/norsk-gynekologisk-forening/veiledere/veileder-i-gynekologi/endometriose-og-adenomyose/

Love & Light / CG

My debut book “A Poetry Collection of The Broken and The Divine” is out for sale on Amazon (paperback and e-book). Keep posted for my upcoming book launch event in the near future.

by Celine U. Gjersvik

‘Bend or Break’: Navigating Life’s Challenges

Bend or break

They say we bend,

So we don’t break.

But what if that is a mistake?

Maybe we need to break,

To truly awake?

.

In any case,

I bend,

‘Cause it’s my trend.

.

And I smile,

‘Cause it’s my style.

.

And I’m in the sun,

‘Cause it’s fun!

/ Love & Light, CG

Oslo view with a woman doing a yoga pose
Oslo view with a woman doing a yoga pose
Oslo view with a woman doing a yoga pose
Oslo view
Oslo view

Finally being able to go my regular walk once a week – slow progress is still progress. All the best!

My debut book “A Poetry Collection of The Broken and The Divine” is out for sale on Amazon (paperback and e-book). Keep posted for my upcoming book launch event in the near future.

by Celine U. Gjersvik

Missing summer?

Hello lovely people,

I’m wishing you all a beautiful autumn time, the season with all colours, and showing us how beautiful change can be.

♥

Missing summer?

Do you miss summer?
That’s a bummer.
.
The past is the past,
Something that will never last.
.
The future has not yet arrived,
So, wait until you know you have survived and thrived.
.
But today is the present,
Treat it like a warm hug from the sun,
… which is quite pleasant.
.
For if you live for today,
You’ll receive a memory bouquet,
So time to slay the day!
.
Smile for what was,
And what is,
For we don’t know what tomorrow brings…
But I’m sure it’s a lot of fun and lovely things.

/ Love & Light, CG

♥


A little update from me is that my health/body is getting better, slowly – but surely. One day at a time, working towards “my normal life” with work, all my projects, and crazy workouts…. (“normal” as I’ve always had a high tempo in life, truly enjoying doing a lot of variety with work, projects, and my daily workouts)… but not getting ahead of myself here… First and foremost, focusing on recovery by respecting my body’s need for rest and taking things slowly – still, just being able to do a little bit more every day and every week is a huge motivation in itself. Then there are days I get so excited from my small achievements, but then a little sad from not being able to do the next thing I try… On the other hand, I remind myself of the huge progress from lying in bed, and that getting back is a step-by-step process. Like yesterday, finally walked to my happy place again, a park nearby with amazing views and calmness. It’s “my place” where I’ve had almost daily evening/night walks for the past 6 years, as well as wonderful running adventures. Just being able to have a walk there now, means everything – even though I need breaks and we took the tram back home as I need to carefully choose where to use my energy… Holding on to the fact that I managed to have a wonderful walk, instead of focusing on how far I still have to work to get “back” to where I used to be. Moreover, being grateful for being a little bit back to work, having the energy to put on make-up again, and noticing that some of my light is shining through again – I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. Last words today; remember it’s all about the small moments in life and appreciating every part and every step of one’s journey.

My debut book “A Poetry Collection of The Broken and The Divine” is out for sale on Amazon (paperback and e-book). Keep posted for the book launch event in, hopefully, the near future.

by Celine U. Gjersvik

Your Life’s ‘True’ – A Poem on Reflection and Purpose

When life is put on pause,
You really have the time to reflect upon your life’s cause.
When it feels like your body is failing you,
You get to reflect on your life’s “true”.
Whether it’s a passing fight, or a slight strife,
Who says you can’t dance through life,
While still fighting the strife?
So, for whatever reason your life is on pause,
Whether its sickness or at perfect health but questioning the cause,
Here are some words for your “was”.
.
All your dreams by night,
They just might,
Show you a sight.
A sight of the life you love now or the life you want,
The life you miss, or you don’t.
Let your dream by night guide you towards the real fight,
The fight for yourself where you find light.
Your life is just as bright,
As pure daylight.
However, you are the one at the steering wheel,
if you want the life you love, you must be ready to work a great deal!
.
Sure, for whatever reason a pause might not feel so right,
But maybe its just preparing you for that crossroad of a fight?
After all, you might see just how bright of a life you had during the fight or strife,
When you are finding your star to shine the brightest during those darkest times of your life.
.
Reflect upon whom you are, who you were and whom you’re not,
Find your life cause by opening up the knot.
Be true to who you are,
For we both know, deep down we are all a star.

If you want to succeed, be ready to work a great deal!

Poem about success, words on photo

During the time I’ve been sick, and I still am, the hardest part has been “the accepting it all”; putting my life on pause. Despite the fact it might not have been the longest time (at least compared to a lifetime where you need your health), it certainly feels like it. Humans are emotional beings, so where logic might tell us differently, emotions often override us – another huge topic my brain has wrapped itself around while laying way too much in bed for my wandering heart.

On the brighter side, I have truly had the time to reflect on life – both awake and asleep during day and night. Though I believe dreams are only dreams by night, they still take up what our brain is capturing by light – so whatever you dream by night, reflects your life by daylight. Thus, I feel and know at a deeper level just how much; I love my workouts and what my walks means to me, my passions and fulfillment with my work and all my projects, and how dearly I love my family and friends – just how much I love the life I have created for myself, while also seeing the depth of the relations I have to people in my life – family, friends, and colleagues. Maybe it’s truly so that during the darkest of times, is when you really see the stars in your life.

My body needs some (a lot of) rest and hopefully my doctors find out the reason why soon enough, in the meantime I’m trying my best to take care of me by giving my body the sleep and nutrition it needs – while also letting myself do small tasks giving me joy like a few poems when I finally have found the words, having a friend over for a short time, and staying a little up to date on other things. Anyway, above is another poem I just wrote around reflecting on ones life’s purpose, passions and truth. Maybe it will be a part of my second book one day – who knows… For now I hope it may be a poem to guide you, or wake something underneath – cause underneath it all, who are you at your core?

/Love & Light, CG

My debut book “A Poetry Collection of The Broken and The Divine” is out for sale on Amazon (paperback and e-book). Keep posted for the book launch event in, hopefully, the near future.

by Celine U. Gjersvik

Navigating Life’s Challenges: Fuck Life Sometimes

Currently, I’m quite ill, which is why I canceled the book launch event until further notice and have been quieter in SoMe… Through a lot of doctors’ appointments checking me head to toe, I’ve been keeping my spirit and hopes up by ridiculous jokes – maybe you have followed on Instagram and you know, – a little on the dark side, but at least they’re funny (or I like to think so). In any case, we are working towards finding out whatever it is, but to my frustration, but also a blessing of quiet, words of poetry have been far away and my mind (disturbingly?) quiet – probably because the only things I do is pretty much sleeping way too much, doctors appointment and eating – then repeating. However, I’ve honestly also gone through a lot of emotions and when I had a day of a tiny bit more energy, the words came pouring out again.

Please read the poem and words with an open mind and do not take it so heavily to heart – my words helped me get out my emotions of being scared, feelings of helplessness, anger, and sadness, but I’m not dying and I’ll get back on my feet soon enough; however, it’s written from a very emotional perspective… Contrary, maybe someone else out there is experiencing something similar, or far worse (though I severely hope not) – someone unique who now may have a few words for their situation, emotions, experience, perspective, or however one would like to phrase it of trying to capture a part of life.

I hope my poem, and poems, may guide you, or wake something underneath – cause underneath it all, who are you at your core?

Woman at a bridge watching the horizon

Fuck Life Sometimes

Fuck life sometimes,
All these fucking climbs.
Fuck the upper there, God, Allah, Universe, or whatnot,
Their lessons and their plot.
Fuck the journey when the destination blurs out,
No light at the end of the tunnel in sight,
Just yet another fight.
How many fights before some light?
Thank you for the lessons and hell,
Sure, made me strong with stories to tell.
Contrary, I’m far too close to the ring of the church bells,
My life feels like a jail cell.
.
No work,
No workout,
No walk,
Almost no talk,
Nor friends and fun,
Projects on pause and life too,
Yeah, this girl barely put on shoes.
Bed rest with food, sleep, and repeat,
Add in a range of doctors to find,
Whatever is going on but digging deep in their mind.
A special case of some,
They’re not dumb,
But finding the cause is far from close,
Yeah, who the fuck knows?
.
So here I am, in bed to sleep and sleep some more,
It’s such a bore.
Dreams of the life I had and of what I want,
It’s like life is all “a dream within a dream”,
But what happens when the sand runs out,
Yet another time I doubt.
.
High hopes for a living,
Please be a little more forgiving.
Hopes for the morning, sunshine, and light,
But life is so far from bright.
.
Yet I climb, yet another time,
And I rhyme,
But it feels like my life is running out of time…

/Love & Light, CG

My debut book “A Poetry Collection of The Broken and The Divine” is out for sale on Amazon (paperback and e-book). Keep posted for the book launch event in, hopefully, the near future.

by Celine U. Gjersvik

Radiate Light – A Poem on Healing and Inner Brilliance

Light

For all that we are,

There is a spark.

Shining bright,

Full of light.

For it’s from within,

Beyond our skin,

That we find the power to win.

Never dim, and shine bright,

With your own light.

/Love & Light, CG

Lady watching the sunset

My debut book “A Poetry Collection of The Broken and The Divine” is out for sale on Amazon (paperback and e-book). The book launch is postponed – more info here.

by Celine U. Gjersvik

Book launch postponed

It’s with a heavy heart I have had to cancel my book launch due to illness. I’ll come back stronger and with a new date for the event. However, unsure when that will be. I’ll keep you posted, but in the meantime, you can find my book on Amazon (paperback and e-book), and follow me on SoMe: Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

/Love & Light, CG

by Celine U. Gjersvik

Bright Future – Reflecting on the Journey from the Rearview

We all face each our struggles of different kind, in each our own mind. Thus, remember to always be kind. For you may not know what that person goes through, even when both is enjoying the same view. A thought to reflect around to think through, maybe they can show a different view to you. So, a proposal for all, is to both see and hear the person in front of you, no matter how small or tall. Leading to the poem itself, before the book is put on a shelf.

We all work hard through life, hopefully dancing even when fighting a strife, for a bright future is in front of us, or so we are told through life’s fuss. However much one plans for the future, today is a present, and yesterday is memory… Therefore, remember to pause and enjoy today; at least that’s what they say. Be here and now, while working for the future you always wanted for years to pass, simultaneously look behind to see just how far of a climb.

Bright future

A bright future seems brighter with time,

But it’s not until you look behind, that you see just how big of a climb, time after time.

Woman climbing a tree in a white dress

/ Love & Light, CG

My debut book “A Poetry Collection of The Broken and The Divine” is out for sale on Amazon (paperback), e-book coming soon, and here is the invite for the book launch event.

by Celine U. Gjersvik

Let Your Spirit Roam Free: Embrace Authenticity and Inner Freedom

Free

I’ll dance ‘till I’m done,

Just for the fun.

.

I’ll dance and I’ll talk,

I’ll share my heart, and offer a walk.

.

I’ll be me and you’ll be thee,

All is at harmony,

As long as I feel free.

/ Love & Light, CG

My debut book “A Poetry Collection of The Broken and The Divine” is out for sale on Amazon (paperback), e-book coming soon, and here is the invite for the book launch event.

by Celine U. Gjersvik

Book Launch TBU

My dear family, friends and acquaintances, my debut book is finally out!

“A poetry collection of ‘The Broken and The Divine'”: Buy it here.

E-book available here.

You are hereby invited to my book launch of my debut book “A POETRY COLLECTION OF The Broken and The Divine”. Please come for some readings of the poems during the evening, networking and if you like; the book on sale and signature from the author (me) with a note – if you get a hold of the book prior, or have followed my Instagram (@Celine.u.g) or on my site here, please let me know which poems you would like me to read by messaging me or commenting on this post. Event to be found here.

You’ll have the opportunity to buy the book “A POETRY COLLECTION OF The Broken and The Divine”. during the evening, and you may have a signature from me (the author) with a special note – however, you may also bring a paperback bought in advance: Amazon (Please be aware there will be a limited number brought by myself, therefor please buy the book in advance if you know for certain you are coming (or give me a heads up by messaging me ASAP, as the book will be on sale during the evening and I will have ordered a limited number of books)).

The specific place will be announced later, but within Oslo, Norway and I promise a night you’ll not forget.

Looking forward to seeing you all there (and if you’re not in Norway, feel free to just put your interests as I’m working on a hybrid-event, but will only do so if enough people abroad are interested). ❤️

Do you

If you ever feel blue,

Just go out and do you.

On high heel shoes,

Or on bare feet… like you are a muse, or it was big news.

.

If you ever feel blue,

Just go out and do you.

With a dress to impress,

Or just with all your mess.

It really doesn’t matter the attire,

For in your soul there is fire!

.

So, you go do you,

Until you no longer feel so blue…

Maybe even at a place with a good view?

/Love & Light, CG