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Summar Bourada

@gldnsummar

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followers

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founder of @heygldngrl
digital diary of a 30 something trying to figure it all out
— real life | mental health | endo | advocacy —
💌 [email protected]

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Endometriosis is more than just a painful period - but a painful period is one of the major indicators that it could be endo.

When I was diagnosed in 2016 after a decade of living with complications, I had never heard of endo.

Fast forward to now, I’ve built an entire business based on creating support for those impacted by the disease.

Endo isn’t just a chronic health condition, it’s a life-changing disease that causes mental health complications, infertility, internal organ damage, and so many other serious and harmful ailments that impact the lives of ~200 million people worldwide.

If you have endo, suffer from painful periods, or are struggling for answers, you’re not alone. Comment “💛” or share your Endo journey to show all the endo warriors out there some love.

stay strong.

#endo #endometriosis #periodpain #womenshealthmatters taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @gldnsummar

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5 months ago

your girl is in the paper! 🙋🏻‍♀️

This article means a lot to me. It is a snippet of the reality of living with #endometriosis and the severity of the disease. It is extremely common, has taken countless lives, and causes immeasurable damage, yet I still meet people who have never heard of it. Thank you to @ottawacitizen and particularly @0liviaaolivia for giving us a voice and helping to educate.

Experts like @drsonysinghmd and Josephine Etowa weigh in on the disparity that exists systemically, while advocates like @kayereyna_ talk about the challenges that arise to even receive a diagnosis.

Endometriosis is why I started @heygldngrl and have dedicated my life to speaking out against the inequality in healthcare, the stigma surrounding mental health, and the realities of living with chronic illness. While it has taken so much from me, it has also created opportunities like this.

I am honoured to be an advocate for this disease, and so grateful for the support of this community.

If this is something that resonates with you, I encourage you to join us on June 17 for a panel and screening of “This is Endometriosis” (link in bio).

Your story matters. You matter.

xo, Summ taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @gldnsummar

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5 months ago

hey, it’s Summar (aka gldn grl) 👋🏼

I’m the founder and face behind gldn grl and figured it was time for a proper hello and introduction to this account.

back in 2020, I decided with very little planning or forethought to create a business because I was fed up with struggling in silence.

I openly shared my story with endometriosis and mental illness online to not only raise awareness for a disease few had heard of, but truthfully, to feel like I wasn’t alone in my battle.

Fast forward, almost six years later, I’ve started using my story and voice beyond gldn grl, but as an advocate and social activist driving conversation about the realities of living with depression, anxiety, PTSD, endometriosis and newly found adenomyosis.

@gldnsummar is a new chapter that will be home to my oversharing, overthinking and overwhelming love for advocacy.

I’m so glad you’re here.

stay gldn. xx
summ by @gldnsummar

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7 months ago

I received over 50 messages from my story so thank you to those who reached out. I’ve had a lot of people ask what’s going on and the truth is, I’m not sure. so here goes.

It started Saturday with bad lower back pain turned into a moderate fever and severe body aches. I thought maybe I was getting a cold, but there were no other cold or flu symptoms. The fever worsened and the body aches turned into 10/10 pain with very limited mobility, my stomach looked distended, and abdomen pain and back pain took over. Monday night, my fever hit shy of 104, it hurt to pee and I figured I should probably have it looked into worried something was wrong with my kidneys.

I went to the hospital Tuesday and was slowly triaged. I waited over 4 hours to be brought back. I asked if my IUD was infected, or if it was my kidneys or endo. They did 3 ultrasounds and two pelvic exams (one with the ER gyno later on). The ultrasound showed my endometrioma has grown despite the IUD since August and is now almost 10cm. They mentioned torsion and internal bleeding, and kept me waiting another 6 hours for results before I saw the gynaecologist because they might want to do an emergency surgery. None of this was mentioned to me. I wasn’t given an IV until 11pm (12 hours after I got there).

The gynaecologist said my IUD was dislodged into my cervix and needed to come out - so there goes $500 and my treatment plan.

There is no sign of infection, and my swabs came back normal. She said maybe my thermometer is broken because I don’t have a fever. I had been shaking with chills and absolutely drenched in sweat for 4 days. 🙃

The following morning I had a mild fever again, and still have one again today, with sharp pelvic pain. I don’t know if my endometrioma is bleeding, if my IUD caused some weird reaction, or what is going on.

I’ve never had this kind of reaction brought on by endo, but if anyone has, please let me know.

oh - on the plus side, my biopsies came back looking decent so there’s that win for today.

just another week from your chronically ill bestie 🫠 by @gldnsummar

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8 days ago

traded in the corporate life for Saturday nights in a lavender field talking about mental heath and sparking meaning into jewelry.

best decision I’ve ever made.

#entrepreneurlife #ottawaevents #ottawabusiness #smallbusiness #permanentjewelry taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @gldnsummar

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a month ago

another amazing weekend hits the books ✨

we did a record weekend between a private spark Friday night, @soireeinthefield Saturday evening and @greelygoodmarket Sunday.

ready for a real talk?

pop-ups are exhausting. a lot of work, time and preparation goes into every small business that attends a market, pops up at events or offers mobile services. we attend unaware of if we’ll make back our money spent on products, time and the cost of the booth. we trust blindly (and hope hard).

that’s why I am always in awe of the support Ottawa has for their community.

supporting local means giving us little guys a chance to follow our dreams and pursue our passions. we work long hours as entrepreneurs - typically doubling the standard working hours every week. we take your concerns, feedback, and positive reviews to heart. we glow when happy customers bring their friends with you to shop. when we hear “I love your story” and you look at me with eyes that say it all. that tell me you resonate and have been through enough.

creating a business based on your tribulations and struggles as a person is always open for criticism. it means vulnerability and can be terrifying. but it can also create beautiful moments.

Sunday at Greely we had a customer who adores her fidget ring bring 3 friends who all purchased fidget rings because of how much she loves hers.

we got to celebrate a lovely couple’s 1 year anniversary with matching bracelets.

we attended girls night and shared in laughter and memories that will last a lifetime. I watched the hostess with the mostess be showered with love and the genuine gratitude and love felt in the room.

I made connections and talked about women’s health, shared stories of struggle and discuss ways to move forward with advocacy in a lavender field.

I had people tell me what my story means to them - just by reading an 8.5x11 snippet of it.

That is the power of small business. I feel it all with you. I am excited with you.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who chooses to support small, shop local, and believes in gldn grl’s mission to foster community, be open, and embrace a new way of doing business.

xx Summ taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @gldnsummar

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a month ago

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a month ago

I’m in awe.

Ottawa - you showed up yesterday. We hit a new sales high - way beyond my imagination. We did 31 sparks (I think - I lost count) yesterday. We danced. I cried (a little) we ate some of the best food, we celebrated community, women’s empowerment, small business and connected with new and old friends.

I had several of you say you attended the event just to see us. You showered me with love beyond words that brought me to tears. You reaffirmed my decision to give this business my heart, and I am still processing the all-consuming feelings from yesterday.

It was a 14 hour day (not including hours of prep)- but it flew by thanks to you.

To @tortaboyz.ot - you outdo yourself every year. You create something that exemplifies the power and love within this city. You bring people together in a way that celebrates culture, creates family and unites us under one goal - to support each other no matter where we come from.

gldn grl has always been about community. creating meaningful connection through difficult moments, trying times, challenges life throws at us. I am thankful and speechless for those of you that believe in that mission, and help us accomplish it.

I am so f-ing grateful.
I love you.
summ taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @gldnsummar

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2 months ago

hysteroscopy update.

when we say endo is a full body disease, there’s good reason. I spoke to my specialist this week about the surgery he performed and went over the results.

he biopsied, examined, and removed my septum (second time I’ve had one removed) before inserting an IUD. I have endo that has fused my bowel and uterus together and will need an intensive surgery with a colorectal surgeon and potential bowel resection. I have an endometrioma on my ovary and will lose an ovary. this I knew.

but he also found a 4cm plaque between my rectum and vagina that needs to be regularly monitored as it can cause silent kidney disease. and he hasn’t even gone in laparoscopically to see the full picture of my disease.

I’ve become so accustomed to this illness and all it’s taken from me. I’ve accepted that I might not be able to have kids, that I’ve felt pain more often than not, that I’ve spent decades fighting a disease that never quits. but it hits you hard when they tell you you might lose a vital organ.

Endo doesn’t just cause painful periods, it can take lives. it spreads to our organs and impacts quality of life. and the kicker is that it just keeps coming back. we can do things to slow its progression, but there is no cure. I’ve already had two excision surgeries, and the third is inevitable - it is defeating.

it weighs on our mental health.

I’m not completely sure where I’m going with this other than to urge you to keep pushing for adequate care. prioritize your health and never take it for granted. fight for change and share your stories. help educate and never stop learning.

I’ve been back to work and returned to the gym while the cramping and bleeding has begun subsiding. I’ll keep you posted on my IUD experience and cross my fingers for good pathology results.

you’re never alone.
Summ taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @gldnsummar

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2 months ago

A little bts from our panel discussion following the screening of @thisisendoglobal and discussing what films like this mean to those of us battling diseases like endometriosis.

Speaking engagements like this are my passion. It means the world to me that I can advocate for those of us who have been hurt by the system, broken by a disease, and make change for our futures. But it means more to me that you trust in me to do so.

After this panel, I had a lineup of people waiting to speak with me, seek advice and ask my opinion (me!?!). I was completely taken aback (I even looked at my partner with a genuine 😳 face) because I never thought sharing my story and struggle would mean something to someone else, or that it could elicit such a response.

It isn’t easy to be open about our pain. It makes us vulnerable and susceptible to judgement and criticism. But it also creates opportunities. It enables growth, and connection. It fosters community which has always been my goal with @heygldngrl from day 1 almost 6 years ago.

I’m going to be sharing something soon with the hopes that you will continue to support and show up for this strong community. I am endlessly grateful that I get to be a part of it.

xx Summ taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @gldnsummar

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2 months ago

why not, right? 🫠

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#mentalhealth #entrepreneurship #businesswomen #ottawabusiness #mentalhealthadvocate by @gldnsummar

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2 months ago

I’ve been doing some surgery prep for my upcoming procedure next week and figured I’d share a little of what I do.

I’ve had two excision surgeries already, and this one will be to biopsy my cyst (I will lose my ovary eventually), remove my septum (again) and insert an IUD.

Between going to the gym everyday while I still can and doing work and other tasks I might not be able to, here are a few things I do before surgery.

- wash and prep the bed with clean sheets (especially when you live with a zoo)
- get easy to digest snacks and comfort foods
- wash and clean laundry (cotton undies & stretchy, loose clothes)
- get any pads, meds or pharmaceuticals needed
- getting heating pad and a good book ready by the bed

while I don’t imagine the healing time will be anything like my two excision surgeries, there’s a lot of peace of mind in feeling prepared just in case. I don’t react well to anesthetic, so knowing I will be out of commission I try and do what I can ahead of time.

thoughts? what am I missing, or what makes you feel ready for procedures/surgery?

#endo #adeno #surgery #surgeryprep #endosurgery taken in Ottawa, Ontario by @gldnsummar

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2 months ago