Breathe Again | Surgery for Ali
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In 2015, Ali was diagnosed with endometriosis (a chronic disease in which endometrial tissue grows outside of it's intended place in the uterus). While most pelvic symptoms were being managed fine, early in 2018, Ali stopped being able to breathe deeply and began experiencing constant chest pain.
Our year has been spent in a desperate search for answers. Appointments with 13 different doctors (including cardiologists, neurologists, and pulmonologists), 56 viles of blood drawn, 2 visits to the ER, 2 MRIs, 3 CT scans, and 5 x-rays.
The tests only showed what we already knew - Ali has 40% (and dropping) of her expected lung function. More recently, her breath has become more distressed and the pain has become worse making it hard for her to sleep, work, and do what she is most passionate about, lead worship.
We have finally found our only medical option. Although endometriosis can grow throughout the body, it's growth in the diaphragm and thoracic cavity is rare. This essentially means that uterine tissue has traveled up her body and adhered her organs together, causing chronic pain, inability to take a full breath, and muscle spasms from the effort required to breathe.
Only a handful of woman have had laparoscopic excisions in this area but we need Ali to be one of them. There are two doctors in the US who currently perform this surgery although neither take insurance. Doctor Steckin (New York) specializes in this treatment and we believe he can be the one to perform this complicated surgery in a way that allows Ali to have her life back fully, and before a potential lung collapse. During this surgery, he would also bring in a thoractic surgeon and well as a specialist for every other area he believes endometriosis may be in her body.
Due to the sensitive nature of what's happening, we need to go as soon as possible to New York where the surgery fee will need to be paid in cash, up front.
It was our desire to avoid making this public but we realize now that this a medically necessary surgery not covered by any insurance and we can't do it alone. Thank you for praying. Thank you for anything you can give. We're believing God will provide healing, whatever that may look like.
- Trevor
Our year has been spent in a desperate search for answers. Appointments with 13 different doctors (including cardiologists, neurologists, and pulmonologists), 56 viles of blood drawn, 2 visits to the ER, 2 MRIs, 3 CT scans, and 5 x-rays.
The tests only showed what we already knew - Ali has 40% (and dropping) of her expected lung function. More recently, her breath has become more distressed and the pain has become worse making it hard for her to sleep, work, and do what she is most passionate about, lead worship.
We have finally found our only medical option. Although endometriosis can grow throughout the body, it's growth in the diaphragm and thoracic cavity is rare. This essentially means that uterine tissue has traveled up her body and adhered her organs together, causing chronic pain, inability to take a full breath, and muscle spasms from the effort required to breathe.
Only a handful of woman have had laparoscopic excisions in this area but we need Ali to be one of them. There are two doctors in the US who currently perform this surgery although neither take insurance. Doctor Steckin (New York) specializes in this treatment and we believe he can be the one to perform this complicated surgery in a way that allows Ali to have her life back fully, and before a potential lung collapse. During this surgery, he would also bring in a thoractic surgeon and well as a specialist for every other area he believes endometriosis may be in her body.
Due to the sensitive nature of what's happening, we need to go as soon as possible to New York where the surgery fee will need to be paid in cash, up front.
It was our desire to avoid making this public but we realize now that this a medically necessary surgery not covered by any insurance and we can't do it alone. Thank you for praying. Thank you for anything you can give. We're believing God will provide healing, whatever that may look like.
- Trevor
Organizer
Trevor Gray
Organizer
Austin, TX
