Endo Year Reflections: #11 From AI Diagnostics To Compassionate Care: What Changed Our Approach To Endometriosis This Year

Setting Up The Reflection Series

SPEAKER_01
0:00

With
the
Indo
Year
coming
up,
it's
a
perfect
time
to
reflect
on
all
the
lessons,
growth,
and
amazing
guests
we've
had
on
Indobattery.
But
instead
of
one
big
recap,
I'm
breaking
it
into
quick,
bite-sized
reflections
multiple
times
a
week.
Let's
revisit
what
inspired
us,
learn
what
we
missed,
and
recharge
together
in
our
Endo
Year
Reflection
series.
Join
me
each
episode
as
we
look
back.

Mission And Community Ground Rules

SPEAKER_01
0:27

Welcome
to
Indobattery,
where
I
share
my
journey
with
endometriosis
and
chronic
illness
while
learning
and
growing
along
the
way.
This
podcast
is
not
a
substitute
for
medical
advice,
but
a
supportive
space
to
provide
community
and
valuable
information
so
you
never
have
to
face
this
journey
alone.
We
embrace
a
range
of
perspectives
that
may
not
always
align
with
our
own,
believing
that
open
dialogue
helps
us
grow
and
gain
new
tools.
Join
me
as
I
share
stories
of
strength,
resilience,
and
hope,
from
personal
experiences
to
expert
insights.
I'm
your
host,
Alana,
and
this
is
Indobattery,
charging
our
lives
when
endometriosis
drains
us.
Welcome
back
to
Indobattery.

Year In Review: Themes And Takeaways

SPEAKER_01
1:08

As
we
close
out
2025,
I
want
this
final
reflection
episode
to
be
one
for
the
record
books.
And
honestly,
it
already
is.
This
year
was
incredible.
We've
explored
so
many
layers
of
life
of
chronic
illness
and
endometriosis,
from
mental
health,
eating
challenges,
mix
that
don't
always
cooperate,
to
hormones,
bowels,
which
somehow
became
the
word
of
the
year,
and
what
real
compassionate
care
looks
like
for
our
emotional
and
mental
well-being.
We
covered
a
lot,
but
I
would
be
completely
remiss
if
I
didn't
close
this
year
by
reflecting
on
one
of
the
most
impactful,
expansive,
and
genuinely

Spotlight: Conversations With Dr. Gabby Mawad

SPEAKER_01
1:47

fun
conversations
I've
had
on
this
podcast.
My
time
sitting
down
in
person
with
Dr.
Gabby
Mawad
in
episode
184
and
194.
True
to
his
word,
Gabby
came
out
in
person
to
record
with
me,
which
was
both
exciting
and
a
little
daunting.
I
usually
record
virtually,
and
while
I
love
in-person
conversations,
this
was
different
than
what
I'm
used
to.
And
I
loved
it.
Not
just
because
it
was
in
person,
but
because
it
was
with
a
friend.
Someone
I've
been
able
to
bounce
ideas
off
of,
someone
who
stretches
the
way
I
think
about
health,
care,
endometriosis,
and
medicine
as
a
whole.
Gabby
has
one
of
the
most
expansive,
curious
minds
I
have
ever
encountered.
I
don't
know
if
I've
ever
met
anyone
who
holds
as
many
nuances
at
once
as
he
does.
What's
wild
is
that
he
somehow
has
entire
studies
memorized
on
everything
from
the
lymphatic
system
to
the
vascular
system
to
theories
on
the
origins
and
characteristics
of
endometriosis.
On
top
of
that,
he
travels
all
over
the
world,
operates,
runs
a
clinical
practice,
and
still
somehow
has
his
schedule
mapped
out
for
the
year
in
advance
in
his
head.
That
alone
is
mind-blowing.
I
barely
remember
my
name
half
the
time.
But
what
made
this
episode
special
wasn't
the
knowledge.

How AI And Imaging Are Changing Diagnosis

SPEAKER_01
3:07

We
talked
about
the
gut
and
its
role
in
inflammation
and
whole
body
involvement,
pain
pathways,
and
then
we
went
further
into
advanced
imaging,
artificial
intelligence,
and
how
technology
may
completely
change
the
trajectory
of
endometriosis,
diagnosis,
and
treatment.

SPEAKER_00
3:23

I
think
we're
at
the
infancy
of
AI
impact
on
our
daily
life,
even
though
it's
making
a
tremendous
progress.
In
endometriosis
specifically,
there
are
a
few
alleys
that
were
exploited
by
AI.
The
first
one
that
I
can
talk
about
is
the
imaging.
The
identification
of
the
endometriosis
lesions
through
machine
learning
can
help
diagnosing
endometriosis.
And
then
there
are
some
studies
that
showed
the
accuracy
is
as
much
as
expert.
The
other
area
where
it's
been
worked
upon
is
the
biomarkers.
The
biomarkers,
either
through
genetic
or
epigenetic
or
even
products
of
the
disease,
are
helping
us
to
try
to
understand
new
ways
of
diagnosing
non-invasive
endometriosis.
For
example,
there
is
a
couple
of
tests
that
have
been
developed.
They
work
on
microRNA,
which
is
a
portion
of
the
expression
of
the
gene.
And
then
they
use
artificial
intelligence
to
try
to
stratify
the
severity
of
endometriosis
and
the
phenotype.
And
this
has
been
done
through
blood,
through
menstrual
fluid,
through
saliva
recently.
So
again,
this
is
another
thing.
A
lot
of

Biomarkers And Noninvasive Testing

SPEAKER_00
4:40

algorithms
have
been
developed
by
combining
patient
symptoms,
patient
history,
some
of
the
imaging
and
lab
results
to
create
a
stratification
of
the
risk,
and
then
that
will
make
patients
be
referred
earlier
to
a
specialist
and
try
to
shorten
the
diagnosis
length.

SPEAKER_01
5:00

He
didn't
just
talk
theory,
he
gave
practical
ways
to
think
about
advocating
for
ourselves,
talking
to
providers
and
understanding
what
may
be
coming
next.
But
one
of
the
most
meaningful
parts
of
these
conversations
was
hearing
him
talk
about
legacy.
Dr.
Moad
doesn't
want
to
be
the
only
one
thinking
beyond
what's

Triage Algorithms And Faster Referrals

SPEAKER_01
5:19

taught
in
medical
school.
He
wants
the
next
generation
to
do
the
same,
to
question,
to
innovate,
to
push
forward
with
curiosity
and
excellence.

SPEAKER_00
5:38

The
education
side,
the
research
side,
the
understanding
side,
because
this
uh
is
is
good
for
me
and
for
my
uh
speedy
brain
all
the
time.
I
think
individual
efforts
to
impact
communities,
whether
in
surgeons,
whether

Legacy, Training, And Standardizing Care

SPEAKER_00
5:54

in
patients,
something
that
I
enjoyed
doing
for
the
past
years
and
I
will
continue
to
enjoy
doing
because
if
I
can
teach
more
people
to
fish,
I
don't
need
to
fish
for
them.

SPEAKER_01
6:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00
6:06

In
the
sense
when
we
help
or
we
train
or
we
teach
one
other,
uh
the
impact
will
grow
way
fast
way
faster
through
these,
hoping
we
can
come
to
a
better
standardization,
better
utilizing
the
resource
to
provide
better
care
beyond
the
negativity,
the
toxicity,
the
gaslighting,
the
things
that
are
currently
happening,
whether
on
a
healthcare
system,
whether
on
surgical
skills
system,
whether
on
research
and
understanding
basis.
So
all
these
will
come
together.
I
think
this
is
a
passion,
and
you
cannot
retire
from
a
passion.
You
can
retire
from
certain
jobs
or
exercises,
but
the
passion
will
remain
there.
It
was
grown,
it's
really
hard
when
you
set
the
fire.
Sometimes
it's
hard
to
uh
turn
it
down.

SPEAKER_01
6:57

And
he
spoke
candidly
about
the
weight
physicians
carry,
the
way
doctors
hold
patients'

The Emotional Weight Clinicians Carry

SPEAKER_01
7:02

pain
with
them,
the
emotional
toll
of
endometriosis
care,
and
the
deep
desire
to
do
better
for
patients
who
are
suffering.
That
perspective
matters.
I
think
everyone
should
listen
to
these
episodes,
not
just
for
the
information,
but
for
the
humanity
in
them.
Sitting
with
Gabby
expanded
my
understanding
of
endometriosis
in
ways
I
never
expected.
It
challenged
me,
it
inspired
me,
and
it
reminded
me
why
these
conversations
matter.
I
am
incredibly
thankful,
not
just
that

Gratitude For Guests And Listeners

SPEAKER_01
7:30

I
get
to
talk
to
doctors
like
this,
but
that
I
get
to
know
them
human
to
human.
These
relationships
have
made
my
life
richer
in
ways
I
never
imagined.
They
fuel
my
advocacy,
they
encourage
me
when
I'm
tired,
they
remind
me
why
I
keep
going.
Because
this
work
isn't
always
easy,
and
I'm
tired
a
lot
of
the
time.
But
meeting
people
like
Abby,
seeing
how
tirelessly
they
work
in
this
community,
how
they
deeply
care,
and
how
committed
they
are
to
excellence
keeps
me
moving
forward.
Dr.
Mawad
has
made
a
lasting
impact
on
my
life,
not
only
through
his
knowledge,
but
through
his
friendship,
support,
and
unwavering
commitment
to
this
community.
He
expects
excellence,
not
just
for
himself,
but
from
the
entire
field.
And
that
expectation
raises
the
bar
for
all
of
us.
Looking
back
on
this
year,
I
am
overwhelmed
with
gratitude.
Every
single
guest
brought
something
meaningful
to
the
table,
something
that
changed
how
I
think,
how
I
approach
care,
and
how
I
understand
my
own
body.
And
I've
heard
from
so
many
of
you
who've
been
impacted
too.
Messages
telling
me
how
an
episode
helped
you
feel
seen,
gave
you
language,
or
changed
the
direction
of
your
care.
That
means
everything

Listener Input For 2026

SPEAKER_01
8:46

to
me.
As
we
move
into
2026,
I
want
to
hear
from
you.
What
do
you
want
to
learn?
What
are
you
struggling
with?
What
do
you
want
more
conversations
around?
How
can
I
show
up
for
you
better?
Because
while
I
may
host
this
podcast,
this
is
your
podcast.

Holiday Survival Nugget

SPEAKER_01
9:02

And
because
I
want
you
to
feel
comfortable
in
this
podcast,
here
is
a
little
nugget
for
your
holiday
survival
guide.
Wear
comfy
clothes.
Festive
but
forgiving
waistbands
are
a
public
service.
I
wear
sweats
to
record
almost
every
time.
Moving

Hopes, Community, And Closing

SPEAKER_01
9:21

into
2026,
my
hope
for
you
is
health,
wellness,
and
prosperity.
Not
just
in
the
face
of
chronic
illness,
but
in
every
area
of
your
life.
I
hope
your
year
is
filled
with
relationships
that
encourage
you,
hold
you
up
when
you're
tired,
and
remind
you
that
you
don't
have
to
do
this
alone.
I
hope
you
carry
hope
with
you.
And
when
you
don't,
I
want
to
help
hold
it
for
you.
Thank
you
for
sitting
with
me
at
this
table
this
year.
Thank
you
for
surrounding
me
with
community.
Thank
you
for
your
trust,
your
messages,
and
your
support.
And
thank
you
to
every
single
guest
who
shared
their
time,
wisdom,
and
heart.
I
am
rich
in
relationship,
in
knowledge,
and
in
community.
Until
next
year,
continue
advocating
for
you
and
for
others.