Kimberly's NYC Medical Fundraiser
Donation protected
While Kimberly McCollum’s journey dealing with Stage IV endometriosis has been long, it is far from over. As most of you know, Kimberly recently traveled to New York City to meet with one of the world’s leading laparoendoscopic surgeons, who specializes in the removal of endometriosis. This visit with the specialist was one of Kimberly’s last hopes to finally live a normal, pain-free life. Unfortunately, the outcome of the visit was not so good.
The doctor revealed that Kimberly’s case was the worst he’s ever seen. After reviewing her test results, he confirmed that Kimberly’s bowel, bladder, uterus, ovary, fallopian tube, iliac vein and small intestine, along with a large cyst that has developed, are now fused together to make one solid mass inside of her abdomen. Even more alarming, he confirmed that the blood flow to Kimberly’s iliac vein is 80% blocked. Because of her dire condition, the doctor has decided to not only operate on Kimberly, but also expedite the surgery so she can be out of pain sooner.
It’s hard to imagine that the same person I see almost every day, looking well put together and smiling, has gone through so much. She has had to deal with all of her own health problems while helping her mother deal with a cancer diagnosis.
Kimberly McCollum is one of the strongest people I know.
If anyone knows Kimberly well, they know that she is a wonderful friend. They know that she is extremely thoughtful and always willing to be there for you. They know that she is always positive and happy to help anyone. Because of this selflessness, I am hoping we can all band and help Kimberly through this tough time.
Kimberly’s treatments are adding up financially. Now that she is seeing a specialist in New York City, she must not only pay for the doctor bills but also hotel rooms, flights, and meals. Her trips to NYC will be frequent for a long time until the endometriosis is in remission.
Please help me in putting this fund together to help Kimberly get through this extremely trying time in her life. Anything you can donate will be amazing.
Kimberly deserves to have a healthy, normal life. We thank you in advance for your help.
All donations not used for Kimberly's care and NYC expenses will be donated in full to the Endometriosis Foundation of America to further the research and awareness of this disease.
For those of you that are not fully aware of Kimberly’s condition, and all that she has been through over the last few years, I have copied an excerpt of the letter she wrote to the specialist in New York to plead her case:
“This disease has already resulted in me losing my kidney, ovary, and
fallopian tube on the left side of my body. In addition, I have
endured several surgeries to remove endometriosis from inside my
bladder, on my bladder, and on my bowel. Pathology reported during my
last bladder surgery that the tissue located inside was "polypoid"
endometriosis.
My last set of surgeries was this summer. On June 6th, 2016, I had
surgery with my gynecologist to remove my left ovary, fallopian tube,
endometriosis tissue from on top of my bladder, a 6-cm cyst, and to
remove a piece of the cyst from the bowel.
On July 8th, 2016 I had surgery with my urologist to remove
endometriosis from inside my bladder. Four days later I was in the ER
due to vaginal, urethral, and bowel bleeding that could not be
controlled. By the end of July 2016, my urologist confirmed that all
of the endometriosis tissue had reappeared and compared it's
aggressive growth rate to that of end stage cancer. She recommended a
bladder coring which would remove half of my bladder to eradicate the
endometriosis tissue.
Further, I continued to follow-up with my gynecologist because the
bleeding has still not been controlled. Other than an assortment of
hormones which do not work, he has no solutions.
Throughout this time I have been on Lupron 3.75 injections monthly.
Clearly, they are doing nothing to help control the endometriosis.
Now, through MRI and ultrasound, doctors have confirmed that the
endometriosis is on or wrapped around my left iliac vein causing
diminished blood flow and left leg swelling with pain. I also have a 6
cm+ pelvic mass pushing my remaining pelvic organs to the right. In
addition, the endometriosis tissue is inside, on, and around my
bladder.
As a side note, I first noticed the leg swelling in October. On
October 18th, 2016, a left lower extremity venous duplex was performed.
No deep or superficial venous thrombosis was seen.
I urinate blood every time I empty my bladder. Also, I pass clots
through my urethra that vary in size from silver dollars to mason jar
lids. I can feel the pelvic mass move and pulsate. My bladder is in
pain constantly and it cramps just like a uterus. I haven't had a
period since February 2015, but I bleed every day.
Blood work shows that my liver enzymes are elevated, my inflammation
markers are elevated, my WBC is elevated, and my hemoglobin is
impacted.
My gynecologist, urologist, and vein specialist want to do an
angiogram to place a stent (left iliac venogram), then place me on
blood thinners. All to then go in to remove most of what endometriosis
they can, and remove half of my bladder.
It is because they stated that they will not remove the endometriosis
around the iliac vein that I have refused to go into surgery. This
surgical plan is obviously flawed. By leaving pieces behind, the
growth will continue and so will my pain.”
The doctor revealed that Kimberly’s case was the worst he’s ever seen. After reviewing her test results, he confirmed that Kimberly’s bowel, bladder, uterus, ovary, fallopian tube, iliac vein and small intestine, along with a large cyst that has developed, are now fused together to make one solid mass inside of her abdomen. Even more alarming, he confirmed that the blood flow to Kimberly’s iliac vein is 80% blocked. Because of her dire condition, the doctor has decided to not only operate on Kimberly, but also expedite the surgery so she can be out of pain sooner.
It’s hard to imagine that the same person I see almost every day, looking well put together and smiling, has gone through so much. She has had to deal with all of her own health problems while helping her mother deal with a cancer diagnosis.
Kimberly McCollum is one of the strongest people I know.
If anyone knows Kimberly well, they know that she is a wonderful friend. They know that she is extremely thoughtful and always willing to be there for you. They know that she is always positive and happy to help anyone. Because of this selflessness, I am hoping we can all band and help Kimberly through this tough time.
Kimberly’s treatments are adding up financially. Now that she is seeing a specialist in New York City, she must not only pay for the doctor bills but also hotel rooms, flights, and meals. Her trips to NYC will be frequent for a long time until the endometriosis is in remission.
Please help me in putting this fund together to help Kimberly get through this extremely trying time in her life. Anything you can donate will be amazing.
Kimberly deserves to have a healthy, normal life. We thank you in advance for your help.
All donations not used for Kimberly's care and NYC expenses will be donated in full to the Endometriosis Foundation of America to further the research and awareness of this disease.
For those of you that are not fully aware of Kimberly’s condition, and all that she has been through over the last few years, I have copied an excerpt of the letter she wrote to the specialist in New York to plead her case:
“This disease has already resulted in me losing my kidney, ovary, and
fallopian tube on the left side of my body. In addition, I have
endured several surgeries to remove endometriosis from inside my
bladder, on my bladder, and on my bowel. Pathology reported during my
last bladder surgery that the tissue located inside was "polypoid"
endometriosis.
My last set of surgeries was this summer. On June 6th, 2016, I had
surgery with my gynecologist to remove my left ovary, fallopian tube,
endometriosis tissue from on top of my bladder, a 6-cm cyst, and to
remove a piece of the cyst from the bowel.
On July 8th, 2016 I had surgery with my urologist to remove
endometriosis from inside my bladder. Four days later I was in the ER
due to vaginal, urethral, and bowel bleeding that could not be
controlled. By the end of July 2016, my urologist confirmed that all
of the endometriosis tissue had reappeared and compared it's
aggressive growth rate to that of end stage cancer. She recommended a
bladder coring which would remove half of my bladder to eradicate the
endometriosis tissue.
Further, I continued to follow-up with my gynecologist because the
bleeding has still not been controlled. Other than an assortment of
hormones which do not work, he has no solutions.
Throughout this time I have been on Lupron 3.75 injections monthly.
Clearly, they are doing nothing to help control the endometriosis.
Now, through MRI and ultrasound, doctors have confirmed that the
endometriosis is on or wrapped around my left iliac vein causing
diminished blood flow and left leg swelling with pain. I also have a 6
cm+ pelvic mass pushing my remaining pelvic organs to the right. In
addition, the endometriosis tissue is inside, on, and around my
bladder.
As a side note, I first noticed the leg swelling in October. On
October 18th, 2016, a left lower extremity venous duplex was performed.
No deep or superficial venous thrombosis was seen.
I urinate blood every time I empty my bladder. Also, I pass clots
through my urethra that vary in size from silver dollars to mason jar
lids. I can feel the pelvic mass move and pulsate. My bladder is in
pain constantly and it cramps just like a uterus. I haven't had a
period since February 2015, but I bleed every day.
Blood work shows that my liver enzymes are elevated, my inflammation
markers are elevated, my WBC is elevated, and my hemoglobin is
impacted.
My gynecologist, urologist, and vein specialist want to do an
angiogram to place a stent (left iliac venogram), then place me on
blood thinners. All to then go in to remove most of what endometriosis
they can, and remove half of my bladder.
It is because they stated that they will not remove the endometriosis
around the iliac vein that I have refused to go into surgery. This
surgical plan is obviously flawed. By leaving pieces behind, the
growth will continue and so will my pain.”
Organizer and beneficiary
Desiree Schulz
Organizer
Troy, MI
Kimberly McCollum
Beneficiary