Hello everyone. I hope while reading this you are all well, as I am fully aware that Heath is Wealth. I’m Charmaine and I would like to share with you a little about my health journey to date.

On August 11th 2020, I was having a good laugh with friends during a virtual birthday party for my goddaughter. The country was on a 7pm to 5am curfew. It was now well after 10pm when my friends and I said goodnight. Little did I know that everything would change in literally a minute. I went into the kitchen to return a cup and on my way back to the bedroom my mouth suddenly became filled with a salty saliva as when you’re about to vomit. Only, I didn’t feel nauseous at all. I felt fine. I proceeded to the bathroom at which point I could feel food coming up. After the first heave of regurgitation, I was hit with a pain in my stomach that took my breath away. I couldn’t imagine what was wrong considering I felt fine a minute ago. Maybe I’ve got food poisoning I told myself although I hadn’t eaten much that day nor anything that would warrant a poisoning. I continued to throw up to the point of exhaustion. Taking the trash can with me to bed, I lied down propping myself up as I couldn’t lay flat. The pain would intensify and so would the nausea. I became concerned and decided to voice note my friends what was happening so that someone would be aware, considering I live alone. The tone of my voice instilled concern in my friends. One of them living just a minute drive away came over. She looked at me with concern. “Are you hot? You’re sweating” she said. “And is your tummy always that size?” I looked down and saw that my belly was swollen, and it was also a darker color than usual. My friend touched my belly and indicated that it was hard. She suggested I should go to the hospital. Reluctant due to concerns of covid as the hospitals apparently had a lot of cases, I eventually agreed as my situation was not letting up.

Now accompanied by two of my friends we headed to the hospital. Due to covid they were only allowed to drop me off and I was wheeled away. Drugs administered in the ER did very little to alleviate the pain and the nausea. Instead, the worse happened. While trying to insert a tube into my nostril, down my throat and into my stomach to drain it and relieve the nausea, I began to vomit up blood. Lots of it. By the time the nurse returned with a small bowl of some sort, I had soiled my entire dress with blood and now the bowl was overflowing. I believe for the first time in my life I thought, “this could be it for me. I’m probably going to die.” The ER doctor walked in to inform me that the MRI results showed something was restricting and obstructing my intestine and that it would probably die if I didn’t have surgery right way. He asked for the name of my doctor, and he was contacted. I prayed that they would reach him as it was almost 2 am in the morning at this point. Thankfully they did. My doctor arrived very quickly, and I was prepped for surgery. I quickly sent voice notes to my mom and my two best friends updating them on what was happening before relinquishing my phone. I think it is worth mentioning that this is not my first surgery.

In 2014 I underwent what should’ve been a minor surgery to remove fibroids. Two arteries were severed, and I died twice on the operating table. I awoke by the grace of God scarred mentally and physically, with a medical bill totaling over $200,000. But that surgery was scheduled, although what transpired wasn’t. Now seven years later, I’m unexpectedly being prepped for another. Something about this one was different. Uncertain. Lying under those bright lights in the operating room I said a prayer to God, leaving my fate in His hands and asking Him to take care of my family and friends if my will to live was not the same as His. Before I could tell the anesthesiologist my name, I was asleep.

I awoke late in the afternoon of August 12th in the Intensive Care Unit. My doctor would soon inform me that lots of abnormal adhesions had twisted a section of my intestine, preventing any blood flow and therefore that section had died and had to be removed. He went on to say that he removed what he could of the adhesions from other parts of my intestine. However, there was much more left behind and on other organs. He could not complete the surgery and therefore, another surgery would be required. He said that it was the worst case of that kind of adhesions that he had ever seen. About a week later I left the hospital but soon realized that I was unable to keep food down. My doctor advised me to return to the hospital where I stayed for another week on an all liquids diet. During this time, he came to me one day and said the MRI showed that the adhesions were still spreading. He informed me of a drug that is usually used on cancer patients but could also be used in this condition to slow down the growth until I could have another surgery. I asked him to go back in and remove the adhesions as I did not want this drug not to mention, I was not comfortable leaving the issue unresolved. He thought I was insane for wanting to be reopened considering I had a 7.5 inch incision with 18 stitches spanning from just below the chest cavity down through the belly button and ending before the pelvic area. He also made it clear that the situation inside of me was too complicated for him and suggested that the drug was the best option until I could have another surgery. I got my first shot of the drug before I left the hospital.

While at home I slowly weaned myself off liquids and was able to eat soft foods within two weeks. I went once a month for 6 months to have the medication administered while pushing through weight fluctuations, hair loss, skin discoloration, rashes from head to toe, and other side effects. However, it’s a year since that surgery and without the medication to slow the process, my body reminds me that another surgery must be had.

I’ve sought consultation with a medical professional in Florida who has experience with cases like mine. Based on information gathered, he also agrees that it’s the worse of its kind he’s ever seen, and surgery should be scheduled as soon as possible. Surgery is required to excise all adhesions from my organs and repair any damage that may have been caused. This is where I need your help.

First, I need your prayers. God has done miracles on me, and He can do it again. Secondly, a financial donation as your heart leads to assist with medical expenses would be greatly appreciated. I know that the impact of the pandemic has made this a challenging time for everyone. If you are not able to assist financially, please feel free to share this request.

Thank you for taking the time to hear my story and blessings in advance for supporting and sharing. Wishing you all well.

“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” -3 John 1: 2