Chapter 23 #2
‘Well, if you must know, we do healthcare research,’ Clara interrupted.
‘Healthcare in what way?’ Heather asked.
‘Women’s health,’ Elizabeth interrupted.
‘We provide funding for research into under-researched gynaecological issues such as PMDD, endometriosis and adenomyosis. These are issues that affect millions of women worldwide, and for which there is no known cure at present. Typically, research into women’s health has suffered a lack of interest from the medical community in the past. We aim to change that. ’
‘Oh.’ Heather was flabbergasted. ‘I’m sorry, Elizabeth. I had no idea. That’s… that’s actually really wonderful.’
‘Yes. It is. It’s a passion of mine,’ Elizabeth said shortly. ‘I’ve suffered with endometriosis for many years. I wanted to do something about it.’
‘Well, that told us,’ Primrose muttered. ‘Good for you, Liz.’
Elizabeth looked as if she was about to correct Primrose, but then she smiled.
‘Thank you, Primrose,’ she said, sitting down. ‘Let’s eat, shall we?’
There was a silence for a while as the starter was served: a flavoursome beetroot soup with a goat’s cheese swirl. Clara and Estella had it without the goat’s cheese. Heather reached for a warm granary roll and a generous pat of butter.
‘When did you start the foundation, Elizabeth?’ Heather asked, breaking the silence. ‘I’d love to know more about it.’
Finally, Heather felt like she’d found a way in past Elizabeth’s armour. This was something they could bond over.
‘Oh.’ Elizabeth looked surprised. ‘Well, I began it in 2015, a couple of years after I was first diagnosed with endometriosis. I’d found a very good gynaecologist and nutritionist who helped me, but I realised at that point that I was lucky to be able to afford specialists to get that help in the first place.
’ Elizabeth took a sip of wine, looking thoughtful.
‘Most people with female reproductive biology who suffer from endometriosis take, on average, eight years to be diagnosed. And that’s not even including other gynaecological conditions such as PMDD, adenomyosis, menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome and a whole raft of other things.
‘Then, I realised, when I was asking questions, even of those qualified specialists, that there were many questions that just didn’t have answers.
Not because those specialists weren’t wonderful, educated professionals, but because there just wasn’t the research there for them to refer to.
I found out that research into gynaecological matters is drastically underfunded – therefore, no one does the research. ’
‘Why is it underfunded?’ Violet asked. ‘These are conditions that affect half of the population.’
‘You’re right. But unfortunately, the attitude towards women’s health in the general medical community has been, for a long time, that women complain about things that aren’t real, and that we shouldn’t listen to them.’ Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
‘That’s terrible!’ Heather was genuinely appalled. ‘I mean, I guess I sort of knew that – we’ve been lucky to have always had a good family doctor. But there are definitely times all women get told, “This is women’s problems, you just have to sort of deal with it.”’
‘I definitely thought that. My mother told me that I should just get on with things when I had my first postnatal depression,’ Catriona remarked. ‘It wasn’t until much later that I realised what was going on. And it’s taken me until recently to see a therapist.’
‘I went to the doctor about fibroids. It took four appointments to get someone to listen to me.’ Primrose raised an eyebrow. ‘I totally believe this is true, about the research.’
‘Indeed. I won’t be happy until women are taken seriously in the GP’s office, in hospitals, and diagnosed properly.
And that means upskilling all medical practitioners, educating them better, in some cases, and stopping damaging narratives like women can endure more pain.
Women typically get prescribed less pain relief than men.
In 2020, only five per cent of global research and development funding was dedicated to women’s health, and four per cent of that was for women’s cancers.
Women’s cancer is important, of course. But almost no money was being channelled into other gynaecological research.
And all the time, women are suffering.’ Elizabeth picked up her spoon and tasted the soup.
‘So, you fundraise?’ Heather asked.
‘Yes. I present to various wealthy individuals, groups, concerns. We raised over a hundred million last year. And we also work with universities to sponsor targeted research. We’re running a programme with Edinburgh University at the moment, and some others.’
‘Wow. That’s amazing, Lady Campbell.’ Bluebell stared at Elizabeth in surprise. ‘Why don’t you do more press about that?’
‘I thought it would be better to focus on making social connections and then using them for fundraising. Most of the foundation’s work is done in its specific area, which is research,’ Elizabeth replied.
‘But I have been thinking recently that more public information about these conditions would be a good area to get into.’
‘I think you should,’ Bluebell said. ‘Women need to be better informed about what happens in their own bodies. The information just isn’t always there, never mind the treatment.’
‘I’m sure you’re right, my dear.’ Elizabeth nodded politely. ‘Perhaps you could help me think about that some time. Since we’re about to be related.’
‘Oh. I would love that!’ Bluebell said. ‘I’m about to start at uni. That would be great experience for me.’
‘Then it’s settled. Let’s have a talk after the wedding.’ Elizabeth smiled at Bluebell, and Heather was amazed to see real warmth there. Was Elizabeth Campbell’s icy exterior beginning to melt?
‘Now. The main course is a vegan curry, which should suit everyone’s diets. There are no escargots or oysters, although, if you girls would like, I can order some and teach you how to eat both in a ladylike and socially acceptable fashion.’ Elizabeth raised a playful eyebrow.
There was a silence, and then everyone started to laugh.
‘Game, set and match, Lady Campbell,’ Sorrel chuckled, tearing a roll apart and dipping it in her soup. ‘I for one would be delighted to have an oyster masterclass with you.’
‘Fine, then. Let’s practise our speeches when we’ve finished the soup, or we’ll never get to bed.’ Elizabeth’s lips twitched with the suggestion of a smile.
Heather side-eyed Matty. Somehow, Elizabeth Campbell had turned the rehearsal dinner around. Heather felt a warm glow in her heart for her future mother-in-law.
‘See. I told you. She can be great,’ Matty murmured, leaning against her.