Please Help Afford Ilia's Hernia Surgery!
Donation protected
I’m asking for your help in affording hernia surgery.
WHAT'S GOING ON:
In February of 2020, I had extensive and complicated surgery involving a near complete hysterectomy due to a massive fibroid tumor. The surgery was supposed to be laparoscopic, but the tumor was so large that I had to be opened up from belly button to groin. (8 lbs / 3.6 kg were removed from my abdomen). I am lucky that it was NOT cancerous. The resulting problem is that I now have large incisional hernias. (I was informed that these are common in cases like mine, and I do not blame my surgeon at all.)
I have three large ones: two where loops of my intestines are pushing outward and one where my bladder is trying to push through. I have also been told that there may be more, smaller ones as well, and the term "like swiss cheese" has been used.
My hernia specialist said that this is severe, and I have two major risks:
1) The hernias will pinch off blood flow to my intestines, killing part of them off. If this happens, I would require emergency surgery to save my organs from dying, and if not done in time, could kill me.
2) The hernias will continue to grow worse, until they become too large for surgery to fix them, and I will be permanently disabled, with no chance for a quality of life to speak of. This option is likely as the pain is increasing steadily since my hysterectomy.
I am in pain 24/7, and there are days where the pain is so great that I cannot hold still from the pain; I cannot sit down, lay down, or stand, and can only pace while crying. I sleep for 2 hours in my bed. Then I move to spend 2 hours in a La-Z-boy chair, before finally returning to spend 2 more hours in my bed. It hurts too much to sleep in one position for long, and on a good night I get a very broken 6 hours total. I am constantly exhausted from the pain and lack of sleep. I have no quality of life, as I cannot even do a single load of dishes without suffering for it.
WHY I'M ASKING FOR YOUR HELP
My medical insurance has denied me multiple times. They are not medical professionals, but somehow they have the power to deny me coverage because, “We have a policy that says we don't cover you for that.” At this point, my choice is to live constant pain, and the risk of death or permanent disability hanging over my head, or pay out of pocket for the surgery.
I have looked into the option of medical tourism, where I can go to another country to get the surgery for a lower cost. Unfortunately, due to the current global situation, and failure of the USA to take precautions, options are slim, and it is incredibly risky to travel so soon after a large surgery. Isolating myself for two weeks each way would also complicate my recovery, as I won't even be able to lift a jug of milk post procedure and will need help from the only family member I have close by, who is at risk.
So I am asking our community for some financial help for a surgery at a local hospital. If you cannot give, please at least consider sharing this campaign widely. I appreciate any and all help that you can provide.
WHAT'S GOING ON:
In February of 2020, I had extensive and complicated surgery involving a near complete hysterectomy due to a massive fibroid tumor. The surgery was supposed to be laparoscopic, but the tumor was so large that I had to be opened up from belly button to groin. (8 lbs / 3.6 kg were removed from my abdomen). I am lucky that it was NOT cancerous. The resulting problem is that I now have large incisional hernias. (I was informed that these are common in cases like mine, and I do not blame my surgeon at all.)
I have three large ones: two where loops of my intestines are pushing outward and one where my bladder is trying to push through. I have also been told that there may be more, smaller ones as well, and the term "like swiss cheese" has been used.
My hernia specialist said that this is severe, and I have two major risks:
1) The hernias will pinch off blood flow to my intestines, killing part of them off. If this happens, I would require emergency surgery to save my organs from dying, and if not done in time, could kill me.
2) The hernias will continue to grow worse, until they become too large for surgery to fix them, and I will be permanently disabled, with no chance for a quality of life to speak of. This option is likely as the pain is increasing steadily since my hysterectomy.
I am in pain 24/7, and there are days where the pain is so great that I cannot hold still from the pain; I cannot sit down, lay down, or stand, and can only pace while crying. I sleep for 2 hours in my bed. Then I move to spend 2 hours in a La-Z-boy chair, before finally returning to spend 2 more hours in my bed. It hurts too much to sleep in one position for long, and on a good night I get a very broken 6 hours total. I am constantly exhausted from the pain and lack of sleep. I have no quality of life, as I cannot even do a single load of dishes without suffering for it.
WHY I'M ASKING FOR YOUR HELP
My medical insurance has denied me multiple times. They are not medical professionals, but somehow they have the power to deny me coverage because, “We have a policy that says we don't cover you for that.” At this point, my choice is to live constant pain, and the risk of death or permanent disability hanging over my head, or pay out of pocket for the surgery.
I have looked into the option of medical tourism, where I can go to another country to get the surgery for a lower cost. Unfortunately, due to the current global situation, and failure of the USA to take precautions, options are slim, and it is incredibly risky to travel so soon after a large surgery. Isolating myself for two weeks each way would also complicate my recovery, as I won't even be able to lift a jug of milk post procedure and will need help from the only family member I have close by, who is at risk.
So I am asking our community for some financial help for a surgery at a local hospital. If you cannot give, please at least consider sharing this campaign widely. I appreciate any and all help that you can provide.
Organizer
Ilia Bauer
Organizer
La Pine, OR
