Alexis' Surgical and Recovery Support
Donation protected
Friends,
As many of you know I am having a surgery October 30th which was rescheduled from April 2020 due to COVID. Instead of going into details over and over again here are the broad strokes of what is going on.
I am having robotic abdominal surgery to remove endometriosis lesions on various organs. This is a genetic disease that has been passed down in my family and one I have struggled with since I was 13. I spent 10 years being mis-diagnosed and have suffered not only from excruciatingly painful periods/cancelled work but also a host of comorbidities as the endometriosis has become co-dependent buddies with my descending colon. This is an intensive surgery with 8 incisions and a rough recovery.
I have taken every Eastern/naturopathic approach possible (think acupuncture, herbs, colonics, meditation, all kinds of diets, etc.) as well as Western approaches (think birth control or hormones) without great success. At best, these care plans have slowed the progression of the disease. And, the disease has still progressed to the point that now my symptoms greatly effected my ability to eat, digest food, keep food down, and maintain all of my work. The endometriosis patient often has to consider greater forms of treatment once the symptoms are outside of the horrifically painful times of bleeding. That is me!
It takes an average of 10 years for an endometriosis patients to get an accurate diagnosis and in that time we often suffer from a lot of pain and unpleasant co-morbidities, so arriving at this surgery date is a joyous moment!!!! I have one of the BEST surgeons in the country and I feel confident with his knowledge and level of care and attention to detail. :)
There is a lot to be grateful for...
I will be taking my recovery in Western Massachusetts in a town where COVID cases have been 1 (total.) My mom will be with me for the first two weeks of November catching my initial wave of recovery and there are folks around who are planning a meal train for the last two weeks of November.
And still, I need your help! There are some BIG costs associated with surgery that is coupled with a substantial amount of time off. I am looking to raise $3000 to help me pay for this period of time. This amount of money goes towards: surgical costs, home and studio rents while not working, physical therapy, AirB&B in Boston post-surgery before travel, and medical supplies for recovery.
Surgery is considered the gold standard of care for advanced cases of endometriosis and two barriers have kept me from that: cost and a prolonged diagnosis. And now, the symptoms are not only impacting my work, dance, and social lives beyond what is manageable they are also impacting my daily bodily functions. Surgery is also very expensive, especially for a self-employed person paying for their own health insurance. If you can support my campaign anywhere from $1-$3000 I would greatly appreciate whatever that offering may be.
With so much gratitude,
Alexis
Want more reading on the matter ?
As many of you know I am having a surgery October 30th which was rescheduled from April 2020 due to COVID. Instead of going into details over and over again here are the broad strokes of what is going on.
I am having robotic abdominal surgery to remove endometriosis lesions on various organs. This is a genetic disease that has been passed down in my family and one I have struggled with since I was 13. I spent 10 years being mis-diagnosed and have suffered not only from excruciatingly painful periods/cancelled work but also a host of comorbidities as the endometriosis has become co-dependent buddies with my descending colon. This is an intensive surgery with 8 incisions and a rough recovery.
I have taken every Eastern/naturopathic approach possible (think acupuncture, herbs, colonics, meditation, all kinds of diets, etc.) as well as Western approaches (think birth control or hormones) without great success. At best, these care plans have slowed the progression of the disease. And, the disease has still progressed to the point that now my symptoms greatly effected my ability to eat, digest food, keep food down, and maintain all of my work. The endometriosis patient often has to consider greater forms of treatment once the symptoms are outside of the horrifically painful times of bleeding. That is me!
It takes an average of 10 years for an endometriosis patients to get an accurate diagnosis and in that time we often suffer from a lot of pain and unpleasant co-morbidities, so arriving at this surgery date is a joyous moment!!!! I have one of the BEST surgeons in the country and I feel confident with his knowledge and level of care and attention to detail. :)
There is a lot to be grateful for...
I will be taking my recovery in Western Massachusetts in a town where COVID cases have been 1 (total.) My mom will be with me for the first two weeks of November catching my initial wave of recovery and there are folks around who are planning a meal train for the last two weeks of November.
And still, I need your help! There are some BIG costs associated with surgery that is coupled with a substantial amount of time off. I am looking to raise $3000 to help me pay for this period of time. This amount of money goes towards: surgical costs, home and studio rents while not working, physical therapy, AirB&B in Boston post-surgery before travel, and medical supplies for recovery.
Surgery is considered the gold standard of care for advanced cases of endometriosis and two barriers have kept me from that: cost and a prolonged diagnosis. And now, the symptoms are not only impacting my work, dance, and social lives beyond what is manageable they are also impacting my daily bodily functions. Surgery is also very expensive, especially for a self-employed person paying for their own health insurance. If you can support my campaign anywhere from $1-$3000 I would greatly appreciate whatever that offering may be.
With so much gratitude,
Alexis
Want more reading on the matter ?
Organizer
Alexis Zaccarello
Organizer
Westhampton, MA