Help Andi Afford a Life Changing Surgery

My partner Andi Aki is a 37 year old mother, activist, artist and creator who has been suffering for many years from endometriosis complications. This progressive disease has caused incredible chronic pain, and forced her to sacrifice time with her family and friends, and has cost her work|career and peace. As the effects have worsened, in order to live a full life, she needs to have a surgery - soon. Her insurance has repeatedly refused to provide surgery in-network, repeatedly denying and delaying comprehensive treatment - forcing her to wait years in horrific suffering. We are forced to pay out of pocket for private insurance, that we really don't have. This way we can choose any Surgeon that we need for this surgery. We will still have to cover 20% of the hospital costs. We have found an out-of-network surgeon specializing in treating endometriosis has agreed to perform the operation, but, unsurprisingly, the procedure is expensive. Andi has been waitlisted. So we have hope that she will receive the surgery before her condition worsens.

Currently, Andi is unable to go out and spend time with friends and family outside of the house for more than a few hours. She becomes so exhausted that she has to lay down. The pain is constant and very intense leaving her often in a pile on the floor crying. She stopped being able to work and pay for her uninsured pain meds three months ago, leaving that financial burden upon our family now. We are already stretched thin financially. We cannot always afford the meds which leaves her very frustrated and feeling hopeless as she seems to worsen by the month. Her breathing has gotten worse causing her to be dizzy constantly. She hasn't been able to drive long distances in a month now. We are praying to organize the minimum funds needed for this procedure. Without it, it is only a matter of time before we loose her to this illness. She has dramatically deteriorated within the last two years, she is barely able to help with household chores or feed herself and bathe herself. She has to sit to brush her teeth. The simple tasks that we take for granted and do easily every day as able-bodied folk, she is finding to be very difficult and it is slowing her down/ keeping her from enjoying life. She has barely been able to spend time with family and friends. She spends most of her time having to sleep cause she is so overwhelmed with pain that she can't function anymore.

A little about Andi's struggle with Endometriosis:

Andi has been dealing with this with small amounts of pelvic pain since the early age of 8 years old. It was dismissed by family and drs.The pain began to get so intense that she started having strange migraines starting at the the age of 15 that effectively would paralyze her body for 2- hrs up to 24 hrs. This pain would continue and eventually she would would be finally diagnosed at the Age of 34. After years of ER visits due to stroke like symptoms. Now, for the last year Andi has been struggling to breathe when her body is massive pain that can lead to more than one ER visit a year.

Dr.s have not been helpful. Dr.s from UCLA prescribed medication that Andi was allergic to, and when approached they ignored phones calls and emails. The other DR{OBGYN} decided to send Andi to another OBGYN because they do not want to perform surgery cause they think Andi should wait another year, in misery.

what is endometriosis?

What does this surgery mean to Andi and her family:

Financial freedom from having to pay out of pocket for medication that is not covered under the insurance. Like pain patches.

More time can be spent with her family instead of resting due to massive body overload. Due to Endometriosis causing constant inflamation.

Andi could drive again, walk more than 10 min at a time without being fatigued.

A familiar refrain in America, but we are asking for your help to provide this critical treatment. Andi is a light and our world would be brighter if she could shine her brightest and live a less pain full life.

Thank you for caring.