Women's reproductive health is a conversation topic that is often as taboo as talking about money. So let's talk about both!

TL;DR Cassie is 33 and has endured years of doctor visits and surgeries that have culminated in receiving a complete hysterectomy to end the pain endured by having endometriosis, adenomyosis, and pelvic congestion syndrome. This is a fundraiser to help with past, present, and looming hospital bills. It is also meant to raise awareness about the silent suffering too many women endure.

The Long Version

At 33, Cassie McDonald, after decades of doctor appointments where doctors said her pain was not real, hospital visits where there were never any answers, and multiple surgeries to treat the issue at the time (appendicitis can be caused by endometriosis- who knew!?), had a complete hysterectomy on October 19, 2021.

Previous to this surgery, Cassie had multiple emergency visits (those are spendy!), a procedure called hysteroscopy where they scrape away the endo that had literally fused her organs together causing extreme distress and discomfort, appendicitis, and tonsillitis (unrelated to endo...probably).

A hysterectomy was a last resort. She has had 16 years of different medications, special diets, physical therapy, acupuncture, 4 surgeries, 8 doctors, and a $25,000 private loan to help cover medical expenses along the way. These things listed are the visible things Cassie has undergone for decades. The mental anguish a 20-something woman endures knowing that a hysterectomy may be the only answer cannot be overstated. There are possible futures that were taken away as doctor after doctor proved ineffectual in listening and helping their patient. And sometimes it wasn’t the doctors, it was loved ones, well-meaning loved ones of course, doing the gaslighting. This is the reality of too many women who end up questioning their pain and quality of life.

Then when you take the leap and you find you are strong enough to endure this last resort procedure you are still stuck with an astronomical hospital bill. That’s what this GoFundMe is all about.

Our goal of $25,000 seems big. Unattainable even. But I don’t think it is. This is Susan, by the way, the annoyingly optimistic best friend of Cassie.We may not be able to ease the physical and mental side of things for Cassie but, by gosh, we can help with the financial side. Consider a donation and when you’ve decided on a number to donate, I encourage you to add $5... or $10... or $20 more onto it. When Cassie shared her story on FB, 252 people “liked” it- if every single one of those people donated $50 Cassie would be at 50% of her goal. If every one of those people donated $100 BOOM. Attained.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO CASSIE’S STORY

SIDE NOTE

I would also encourage everyone reading this to think about the upcoming holiday season and what their money is being spent on. Consider a donation to a women’s health center- if you’ve never heard of one here are a few suggestions :)

Endometriosis Foundation of America

The Endometriosis Coalition

Planned Parenthood

Harbor House (where Cassie works)