Bindi Irwin surgery, second chance at life

(WJW) – Bindi Irwin, Australian conservationist and television personality, is embracing “a second chance at life” after undergoing treatment for endometriosis earlier this year.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Irwin, the daughter of the late Steve Irwin, who was known as “The Crocodile Hunter,” opened up about her battle with the painful condition, revealing that she had experienced progressively worsening symptoms for 10 years before finally receiving a proper diagnosis.

Describing the pain as a “stabbing feeling” and “really scary,” Irwin said that she had 37 lesions and a chocolate cyst removed during her surgery. The 25-year-old expressed her gratitude for the treatment, stating that her life has completely transformed since the procedure.

“And now on the other side of surgery, I mean, I’m going for daily zoo walks with my family. I’m able to go to our management meetings and check up on our animals and do the filming work that I love and play with my daughter,” she said. “And it is just so wonderful. I feel like I see the world in a new way now. I’m able to actually do things again.”

“It does feel like a second chance at life” she added.

NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 24: Bindi Irwin attends the Discovery 30th Anniversary Celebration at The Paley Center for Media on June 24, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – JULY 24: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Bindi Irwin celebrates her 16th birthday at Australia Zoo on July 24, 2014 in Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris McCormack/Newspix/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 26: Bindi Irwin arrives on the red carpet at the 2009 ARIA Awards at Acer Arena on November 26, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Washington, UNITED STATES: Bindi Irwin, daughter of Steve Irwin, the late “Crocodile Hunter” makes remarks during a Newsmakers Luncheon 19 January, 2007 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. The eight-year-old daughter of Steve Irwin took part in a high-profile promotional US tour this week, but she will not be forced to perform, her manager said. Bindi Irwin, whose wildlife television star father was killed by a stingray barb last September, will visit Los Angeles and New York as part of Tourism Australia’s “G’Day USA” week to promote the country. She is also doing her own wildlife series, “Bindi the Jungle Girl”, for the American Discovery Channel. AFP PHOTO/Tim Sloan (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP via Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 1, 2005: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin, with his wife Terri Irwin, daughter Bindi Irwin, and son Bob Irwin, on Bob’s 2nd birthday, at Australia Zoo sign at Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 2: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Steve Irwin and wife Terri, with daughter Bindi and baby son Bob, at a blessing ceremony by Tibetan Buddhist nuns, for the Irwin youngster. (Photo by Graeme Parkes/Newspix/Getty Images)
SUNSHINE COAST, AUSTRALIA – DECEMBER 14, 2002: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) ‘Crocodile Hunter’ Steve Irwin with his wife Terri Irwin, and daughter Bindi Irwin, and a baby crocodile at Australia Zoo in Queensland. (Photo by Newspix/Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA – JULY 23: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) TV presenter adventurer, crocodile hunter Steve Irwin with daughter Bindi Irwin and ‘Bazzle’ the python snake at Australia Zoo. (Photo by Graeme Parkes/Newspix/Getty Images)
THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW — Episode 3023 — Pictured: (l-r) Bindi Irwin, Robert Irwin, Kelly Clarkson — (Photo by: Adam Christopher /NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 09: (L-R) Robert Irwin, Terri Irwin, Bindi Irwin and Chandler Powell pose for a photo at the annual Steve Irwin Gala Dinner at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on November 09, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 09: Bindi Irwin poses for a photo with fiance Chandler Powell at the annual Steve Irwin Gala Dinner at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on November 09, 2019 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Endometriosis is a medical condition characterized by the growth of cells similar to the uterine lining outside the uterus, as per the Mayo Clinic. It causes severe pain and can also impact fertility. Chocolate cysts, also known as endometriomas, are cystic lesions filled with dark brown endometrial fluid found in the ovaries, indicating a more severe stage of endometriosis, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Irwin acknowledged the toll it took on her to hide her pain – which she described as “out of this world” – and be present for her family.

She said the condition even affected her relationship with her husband, Chandler Powell. She expressed relief at feeling as though she has a “new husband” now that the pain is behind her. Irwin and Powell share a 2-year-old daughter, Grace Warrior.

Irwin’s father, Steve Irwin, died in 2006 when a stingray barb pierced his heart.