Zoe Marshall details personal battle with endometriosis filming operation for documentary

ZOE Marshall has detailed her very personal battle with endometriosis, revealing she filmed a recent operation to include in a documentary about the medical condition.

Zoe Marshall wears red dress designed and made by Steven Khalil, Steven was inspired to make the dress by critically acclaimed Australian film the dressmaker. Picture Cameron Richardson

ZOE Marshall has detailed her very personal battle with endometriosis, revealing she filmed a recent operation to include in a documentary about the medical condition.

The wife of footballer Benji Marshall has undergone a number of operations, the most recent of which was this month.

“It was quite debilitating and I just could’t handle it,” she explained.

“I was passing out from the pain so I went in and locked down that operation.

“This is the first week where I’m back to life.

“I’ve had it removed before and it grew back quite quickly and severely so it was time to knock it on its head.”

Zoe Marshall wears the red dress designed and made by Steven Khalil who was inspired to make the dress by critically acclaimed Australian film The Dressmaker. Picture Cameron Richardson

Endometriosis is a disease in which the tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body.

Fashion designer Steven Khalil is one of Marshall’s best friends and has supported her in the treatment.

It is not the first time Khalil and Marshall have worked together with Khalil designing this gown for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week opening event. Picture: Toby Zerna

Inspired by Australian film The Dressmaker, which is out now on DVD, Khalil has created a red dress for Marshall to Marshall will auction off online to raise money for Endometriosis Australia.

“I documented the surgery and I’m making a doco out of it,” she said, adding that the condition won’t impact her chances of falling pregnant.

“If I knew what it was earlier, I would have taken action earlier.

“There’s been documentaries where medical professionals discuss it but not from the patients point of view.
“It is a long haul thing, don’t expect to see something in the next few months but hopefully we can get it out there to provide some insight for others.”

Marshall at Khalil's runway show at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia at the Carriageworks, Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

In lighter words, Marshall joked about her fashion choices and said Khalil is harder on her than her husband.

“Benji couldn’t care less what I wore out,” she said of her hubby, who had his 30th birthday Thursday.

“Bend is so blokey. What I love about him is I can wear something super low cut and he is comfortable.

“There’s some guys that are a bit funny about that when their girl goes out showing a bit of skin and he just loves it.”

Marshall is one of many women who suffer from endometriosis and is keen to raise awareness of the condition. Picture: Esteban La Tessa