Chelsea’s Endometriosis Surgery

Samuel Penington is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi everyone

Sam Penington here, I’ve set up this page in an attempt to raise money to pay for a private surgery for my beautiful wife Chelsea. In short Chelsea has a disease called Endometriosis. A wicked disease that has now left her in constant, chronic pain and devoid of many of the qualities of life a 32 year old woman should enjoy!

I have asked Chelsea to portray this horrendous journey in her own words below highlighting where we’re at and why we’re asking for your help. So please take a read and if you can donate please do.

If you are unable to donate please help spread the word and share this fundraiser.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The smallest amount really could make the biggest difference ❤️

God bless,

Sam

My Name is Chelsea Heaton-Penington

32, Wife to Sam Penington and mother to 3 beautiful Children.

I was pregnant on the coil, because of this, I had to get scanned and tested to see where the baby was. They couldn’t find the baby and had to do surgery to try and find it. (I was experiencing pains and the doctors were worried it was an ectopic pregnancy. I had surgery and unfortunately it was a baby of unknown location so they had to perform a D&C.

A month after my surgery I was experiencing pain, pain I had never felt before, so much that I was admitted into hospital for 6 days while they tried to figure it out. They didn’t. And I was sent home with pain killers.

I was referred to gynaecology where they said I could have endometriosis. They would need to do another surgery to confirm, then the pandemic hit.

I got my surgery in April 2021. When I woke up, instant relief. I was told it was endometriosis and they had cleared it away. The discharged me and I went on to have my beautiful daughter Thea.

I would honestly still be fighting for answers had I not lost the baby and had surgery and was on gynaecology’s books.

Since having Thea I have experienced the pains again. But so so much worse. April 2023 I went to my doctor and asked to be referred back to my gynaecologist because I knew my body and I knew it was back. Which is pretty common after having had a baby. The doctor told me I needed bloods being done, an ultrasound and a smear before they could refer me. My referral for my ultrasound sound was misplaced which meant unfortunately I wasn’t seen until November. (Apparently there’s still a back log from the pandemic!) I was referred to gynaecology on the 24th of November. I am STILL waiting for my first appointment (April 8th 2024) I have been expedited, the wait for an urgent appointment is still 37 weeks. I have requested for a hysterectomy which has been denied. (Even though I am done having children)

My ultrasound has shown that I also have adenomiosis and endometriosis which is really rare to see on an ultrasound alone. Yet still nothing has been done.

Talking about my pain; there have been days where I’ve been laying on the floor for 2 hours unable to move. Where I have been in bed for 4/5 days at a time unable to move without help. There are times where I am so so tired and worn out from the pain. I have a list of medication, none of which work. They just put me to sleep to sleep through the pain. My life is pretty much non existent. Date nights consist of me going to the cinema, high on pain killers, with a hot water bottle. Or films in bed.

My children want their mumback. The mum that used to go to parks, and not have to leave early cause I’m bent over in pain. They want to see there mum out of bed and not in pain.

My husband wants his wife back. He wants a team mate, which I’m not at the moment.

Pain doesn’t just exist when I’m on my period. It’s when I’m ovulating, when my body is getting ready for my period. I’ve figured out I have a few good days after my period. Then it’s back to pain, a few good days after ovulation and you guessed it, back to pain.

The meds aren’t working. And I cannot, mentally or physically wait for another possible 2 years for surgery which is why I’m here. Hoping to raise money to go private. It’s going to cost a lot. And with me and my condition, unable to work and Sam (my husband) unable to work due to his

life long medical condition (EGPA) we’re unable to fund this ourselves..

If you can give anything, advice, a few quid…. Anything, we would be so grateful.

I just wanted to be back to the normal me.

Thank you for reading my story!

God Bless

To clarify - the funds raised will be used to pay for a partial hysterectomy surgery meaning the womb is removed yet the ovaries are left intact avoiding early Menopause.

The cost of a private hysterectomy without health insurance typically costs anywhere from £3,820 to £9,557.

Should funds reach or surpass our goal of £10,000

any remaining money will be donated to Endometriosis Uk to fund ongoing research and raise awareness of this debilitating disease. Please see below for more info on Endometriosis.

Endometriosis (pronounced en- doh – mee – tree – oh – sis) is the name given to the condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body.

Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.

Symptoms;

• Pelvic pain

• Painful periods that interfere with everyday life

• Pain during or after sex

• Painful bowel movements/when having a poo

• Pain when urinating/peeing

• Difficulty getting pregnant

• Fatigue

• Brain fog

• Headaches

• Back pain

What is Adenomyosis (https://www.webmd.com/women/adenomyosis-symptoms-causes-treatments)?

Adenomyosis (https://www.webmd.com/women/adenomyosis-symptoms-causes-treatments) is a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) breaks through the muscle wall of the uterus (the myometrium).

Symptoms;

• Painful menstrual cramps (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4148-dysmenorrhea) (dysmenorrhea).

• Heavy menstrual bleeding (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17734-menorrhagia-heavy-menstrual-bleeding)

(menorrhagia).

•

Abnormal menstruation (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14633-abnormal-menstruation-periods)

•

Pelvic pain (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/12106-pelvic-pain)

with or without severe cramping.

•

Painful intercourse (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12325-sexual-health-female-pain-during-sex-dyspareunia)

(dyspareunia).