As some of you know, I’ve been living with uterine fibroids for most of my twenties. I spent many painful years being misdiagnosed and having my symptoms dismissed before I was finally able to see a physician who took the time to look and listen. Upon discovery of the tumor, she told me: “You’ve been working on this for a while”. It wasn’t something that happened quickly. I felt relief, but that was only the first phase as I’ve been struggling to get the treatment I’ve needed and wanted ever since. 

I’ve been hospitalized twice, most recently in May of 2018, for complications directly related to this. I’ve gone through multiple blood transfusions, lifestyle changes, and treatments, both holistic and non in an effort to seek some kind of relief. I’ve wanted surgery for years but am constantly told that I’m “too young” or that I “don’t have children yet”. My real time existence is being disregarded for a hypothetical. I feel reduced to my reproductive parts. 

Furthermore, I fear that the tumor may be impeding the diagnosis of endometriosis, which is far more nefarious than a non cancerous fibroid. Due to the size and location of the tumor, doctors have been unable to view my endometrial lining with ultrasounds and scans, but all of the debilitating symptoms are there. It’s affected my ability to work, be physically active, and generally enjoy life the way that I want. I feel robbed.

I have found a physician that is slightly amenable to surgery, but wants me to be on an extremely expensive ($450/mo) 90 day hormonal treatment in an effort to shrink the tumor before we go that route. I’ve made it clear that I don’t want to be medicated long term, as I see that as a bandaid, not a solution. 

There is no generic brand available. There is no way around this exorbitant monthly cost. Fibristal has the market cornered. I’m stuck. I started treatment in August of 2018, but due to massive shifts in my personal life, was unable to keep up with the monthly expenses and follow up bloodwork appointments. I’m here now, trying to start from scratch. I will turn 30 this year and would love nothing more than to close this chapter. It would be the ultimate gift. 

Because life’s storms seem to happen at once...In December of 2018, I got sick (pleurisy) and missed about two weeks of work. In January of 2019 I was ID thefted. I’ve been trying to dig myself out of a hole and the hits keep coming. I’m humbling myself to ask for assistance because I am drowning. My mental health has been affected by these circumstances and I need help. Family is present, but can only do so much. I know that I belong to a global community and what I’m going through is bigger than me. Please consider what you can, and even signal boosting the campaign would mean everything to me.