Help Me Be Pain Free

Hi, my name is Rachel Speck. I am humbly asking for donations for a laparoscopic surgery to remove rouge tissue from my cervix and colon.

Some of you might know me as the artist Tropical Goth Prints. Others might know me as the eccentric art teacher at Lafayette Academy Charter School in New Orleans (2013 to 2018). Still others might know me as that weird and argumentative punk that taught kids silkscreening and took them to punk shows in New Orleans. I'm currently advocating for youth justice reform in New Orleans, México, and parts of Latin America and fundraising for women’s health in México and teaching free quarterly silkscreen workshops to women, non-binary, and trans folx in la Ciudad de México. 

What a lot of you don’t know is that I have hyperandrogenism, a hormone disorder, and have been in constant pain (since I was teen). Recently, this pain has become crippling for me and at times has inhibited me from working and functioning properly. After some diagnostic testing, I have been diagnosed with the following: 

1. ovarian cysts 
2. the beginning stages of adenomyosis
3. Fibrosis: Scar tissue that has gone rouge on the exterior of my cervix which is literally choking my cervix closed and is now attaching itself to my colon. 

The ovarian cysts and the adenomyosis will always cause slight pain for me, and will gradually worsen as I age. However the scar tissue is what’s causing me the most crippling pain now and is what I would like to eliminate through laparoscopic surgery.

Right now, the tissue is pulling my uterus in one direction, while the cysts are pulling my uterus in another direction, creating like a tug-a-war with my uterus between the two body malfunctions. The tissue is attached to my colon as well, which causes immense pain. If untreated this can cause blockages in my colon. It can also spread to my other parts of my pelvis causing twisting in my intestines and issues with my bladder. 

My doctor and I are aiming to have surgery as soon as I raise all the funds for it. My doctor recommended it be within three months because of the amount of pain I’m in already.  This money will only go towards the procedure, recovery care, doctor visits, and 3 months of medication. It does not go towards my rent, food, or work.

I know times are really tough with the pandemic and economy collapsing so any donations will be greatly appreciated. If you don’t have funds and would like to share an encouraging message that would also be appreciated. Take care of each other.