* Thank you so much to those who have donated so far. It means the world to me to know there is kindness out there and I am a few steps closer to my goal*

Hello, my name is Antonia. I am 35 years old. I am a mother, a wife, a friend, and a daughter. I currently have stage 4 deep infiltrating endometriosis. I am an Endo warrior. It is a debilitating disease with no cure, only management of the symptoms through medicine and surgery. 

I am reaching out through this platform to ask for assistance because I am in dire need of help from the world around me and beyond to cover a desperately needed surgery that has a cost I cannot cover alone. 

Here are the quick facts:

 The out-of-pocket cost of my surgery is a whopping $35,000. The deposit to hold my surgery date in mid-December is $15,000. This covers the surgeons' fees. I need to have this all by Mid-November to move forward. If you could donate even $5, it would be amazing and help me get closer to my much-needed surgery because I am in so much pain and need this surgery urgently. Insurance doesn't cover it because the surgeon is out of network and they rarely cover endometriosis-related care. Basically, endometriosis sucks on all sides. Physically, emotionally and financially.

Below are the longer details:

The specific surgeons who are qualified to treat my type of endo are as rare as the type of endo I specifically have. The doctor I am seeing is one of few in the world who does what he does because surgery involving nerves is so delicate. I have endometriosis that has entrapped my sacral nerves, other nerves and bound my internal organs together and other issues that will be handled during surgery. The pain it causes is hard to describe exactly because it is so complex.

Insurance rarely covers anything related to endometriosis, let alone a provider who is so rare and is out of network. This cost is something that I cannot do on my own. I am in constant agony so there is a desperate need for surgery to even get a semblance of a normal life. I am calling for a miracle.

I am the mother of an amazingly optimistic 6-year-old who reminds me every day to always look for joy, beauty, and kindness in the world around me. She has taught me that in every person out in the world, there is something good and beautiful and everyone needs a moment of kindness and love.

I taught her from the moment she could talk; that it is good to show others that love, compassion, and kindness do still exist in our world and to genuinely mean it; because there is so much hate, sadness, and evil in the world.

Everyone deserves a moment of kindness. She says it's her mission in life to make others smile and change their days for the better. I go forward every day with that thought in my heart and it truly inspires me. No matter the pain I am in. 

I am reaching out to the universe and hoping that the same kindness and love will be shown to us as well because I am in desperate need of a huge moment of kindness and love from the universe. I am hoping that the good energy we have put out into the world won't let us down. 

I have suffered from endometriosis for most of my life. I had a hysterectomy in 2021 and an excision surgery a few months later that year. Along with numerous pain-filled pelvic trigger point shots, I am currently in pain management to help manage the symptoms, but it is not enough. I am hoping with this specific surgery, I can get to a baseline begin physical therapy, and start to heal and live a pain-free life. That is all I want. A shot at a normal life, without being in constant excruciating pain. 

Over the past years, family and friends may have caught a glimpse into my Endo journey, but I try to keep most of my suffering to myself because, frankly, it is a lot to handle.

I try to distract my mind as much as possible from the pain and most don't know how much pain I am truly in because I have become a master at hiding it.

I don't let the mask fall often because I don't want my daughter to remember her childhood overshadowed by my pain and illness.

Only my parents and my husband know just how much this impacts my daily life because they see it firsthand. I have no choice but to keep moving forward even when it hurts so much. 

 It is exhausting to live like this and I know it can be an emotional burden for others to witness and bear. I don't want to put that on anyone else. This surgery and level of care is something I’ve needed for years to relieve my extreme pain, fatigue, and daily disruption of my life.

The hope of the surgery is something I am clinging on to for reprieve from this pain. I want to feel on the inside like I try to look on the outside for once. I want to give my daughter the mother she deserves. A mom free from pain. 

 I appreciate you taking the time to read through my story and hopefully donating to my cause. If you feel inspired to share this in any way as well, it would be much appreciated. 

Any donation amount is appreciated even a small donation of $5 would help me get closer to my pending surgery date in mid-December. That's the cost most spend on a cup of coffee at least once a week. Would you please let me be your " pay it forward" this week? 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope your kindness is paid forward in return. 

** due to the fees gofund me charges the amount is higher than the funds I need to cover their fees.**

If you want to donate via venmo to avoid the fee, you can at:

Venmo:

AntoniaVSendo

Facts about endometriosis:

 Endometriosis is a debilitating disease that 1:10 women in the world deal with every single day. 

There is no known cause and there is no cure for the disease. It is where endometrial tissue is found outside of the uterus, even without a uterus present like after a hysterectomy. Research has now shown it can grow in every single place in a body, including the brain. There are no cures yet, only management of symptoms and treatment for the pain related to it.