Lisa's Upcoming Surgery

In April 2014 my sister was diagnosed with a chronic autoimmune disease called Ulcerative Colitis. With not ever hearing about this illness, little did we know this would not only change her life forever, but ours as well. The symptoms associated with this illness are bowel incontinence, debilitating abdominal pain, bloody stools, fatigue, malnutrition and anemia. I watched my sister go through countless treatment options, side effects, and sleepless nights with no relief. This past year and a half we watched as she still continued to go to school full time and work part time because she did not want this disease to get the best of her.  She maintained the schedule in between getting her IV infusions every 4 weeks.  Unfortunately, with taking 12 pills a day and continuing with her IV infusions, her condition has not improved and her quality of life is declining. 

The reason I am requesting this Go Fund Me is because my sister's health is at an all time low. At her latest doctor's appointment, her gastroenterologist told her it was time for her to have her colon removed. She is now deteriorating to skin and bones, anemic, and has severe hair loss. This surgery will cure her, but it is a major surgery with many risks involved. The first step of this "J-pouch" surgery is first removing her colon laparoscopically and forming her new colon with her small intestine. While her new colon is healing, she will need a "stoma" in the mean time which will require a colostomy bag for 2-3 months before they can reverse it. With this surgery being a life changing surgery that will affect her for the rest of her life, we are making sure she has the best surgeon there is. Unfortunately, along with having the best comes with a cost. Her surgeon is located in Manhattan, and she will be staying at Mt. Sinai hospital for 6-10 days before being able to come home.  Although it sounds like she will be out of the woods once she comes home, her recovery is just beginning.  The road to recovery is long, but after the surgery we are hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel.

Lisa's surgery is taking place on January 26, 2016.  This campaign is to try and raise funds to pay medical expenses that are not covered by insurance.   I have watched my little sister suffer tremendously for far too long.  This campaign will allow her to live a normal healthy life free of pain.  Any donation will truly be a blessing. 

Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart.

Deanna Costa