In 1958 100 women were written up in the literature with endometriosis on the lung causing it to fill up with fluid and collapse. The catamenial pneumothorax was considered extremely rare. Now record numbers of women in 2005 have been diagnosed with this disease, and still many physicians and women, have never heard of it.

Glynis Wallace wrote this book to share information and enlighten the nation about pulmonary endometriosis, where endometrial implants appear on the lung like chocolate cysts and release blood between the lung and its lining, which is known as the pleura. A flow of blood, occurring on the lung every month is a strange reality and difficult concept to fathom. This phenomenon, known as catamenial hemopneumothorax, is when endometriosis attaches to the lung, releases fluid, and allows air to move in by an unknown mechanism—all of which causes the lung to collapse.

For several years, denial was the author's coping mechanism, but after three major surgeries to remove endometriosis, seven chest tube operations to inflate and remove fluid from herlung, and extensive research, she conceded to the humbling reality.

Many medical professionals do not know about this syndrome and most standard textbooks do not mention it. The literature states that 100 people in the U.S. have this rare form of endometriosis, but the truth is only 100 appear in the literature. The author is convinced, along with her pulmonologist and gynecologist, that many women go undiagnosed due to lack of knowledge in the medical world. It is her hope her story helps others suffering with endometriosis in the lungs or colon.

This book outlines Glynis Wallace's 13-year experience with pulmonary endometriosis through narrative summaries from the physicians who attempted to control this disease. As an active duty military officer, she underwent extensive and extremely thorough diagnostic tests to determine fitness for duty. This led to excellent medical treatment, which allowed her to continue serving on active duty.

Living with lung and colon endometriosis: catamenial pneumothorax is the best-selling book on pneumothorax, and the author, Glynis Wallace, has been nominated for International Health Professional of Year for 2006 by IBC Cambridge, England.

See also the website: www.catamenialpneumothorax.org