- N
Hi Everyone,
After 18 years of enduring debilitating pain and discomfort, I have finally been diagnosed with Endometriosis and this year I'm having my first excision surgery to remove as many lesions as possible. There is no cure for Endometriosis, but this surgery will allow me to live with less pain and more mobility.
I would be so incredibly grateful if you could help me in any way you can. Any amount would mean the world to me as a token of your support or even a birthday present (April 13th)!
Thank you so much!
More Info:
I'm not used to talking about this, so please forgive me if I haven't spoken to you about this in the past. As with many chronically ill people, it's really difficult to repeatedly explain symptoms and disseminate information about something so painful and personal. So, see below for some FAQS that might be useful:
What is Endo?
Endometriosis is a chronic illness where cells similar to those that line the uterus form abnormally in other parts of the body - commonly throughout the abdomen though increasingly found in the lungs, brain, muscles and other areas. These cells cause inflammation, adhesions, cysts, lesions, nodules and scar tissue that connects organs inappropriately and interferes with nerve clusters. It's important to note that although it has been treated as such in the past Endometriosis is not just a reproductive illness and it is not only affecting women.
Endo Facts:
Why is it so expensive? Can’t you get it done on NHS or in Australia?
After many, many years of attempting to get a diagnosis through public health systems in Australia, Canada and England I have made the decision to go private. Through the private system, I was diagnosed in one afternoon.
It is fairly common for non-specialist surgeons to take on the procedure in the public system, often resulting in multiple surgeries, worsening of pain and irreparable damage to the patient. Additionally, guidelines for the care and treatment of endometriosis are not fully updated in public health systems and techniques which are now known to cause further damage - such as ablation - are still widely used.
The surgery I have chosen is highly specialised, robotically assisted and involves a multi-disciplinary approach. The surgeon and specialists I’ve found are very well-practiced in Endometriosis excision surgery.
As donors, you should know where your money is going - so here's a cost breakdown for you:
Surgical Fee: £3450
Anaesthetic Fee: £1450
Liver Surgeon Fee: £1000
Hospital Fee (2-days): £11562
Why is this the first surgery?
Endometriosis has no cure, this surgery will remove as much as possible but ultimately there is no way to stop it from recurring.
How much should I give?
As little or as much as you are able to! Literally, any amount is going to make me feel supported and will help us cover these costs. I understand that things are tough for a lot of people at the moment so there’s no pressure!
Do you want to talk about it?
If I’m honest - not really. But I do want to spread awareness about Endometriosis because it affects so many people. I live with this every day so it’s easy to forget that some people are unaware of it and just how much it has an impact on so many lives. If there is one thing that I’d like everyone to know it's this - Endometriosis is not just bad period pain.