Daizy Atkinson, 31 years old, is a beautiful, kind, humble, compassionate, and devoted wife with an infectious smile and a heart of gold. Her affable personality can turn any conversation warm and friendly, leading to life-long friendships. For Daizy, her trust and belief in God to take care of life’s challenges is what gives her strength each day.
At the young age of 9, Daizy suffered from excruciatingly painful endometrial cramps that forced her to be rushed to the hospital but were often brushed off as constipation or abdominal pain. By the time she was a teenager, the cramps worsened and were even predictable – happening monthly at the onset of her menses. Scared and depleted, Daizy was put on birth control in an effort to reduce her cramps and finally given a diagnosis in 2015 -- Dysmenorrhea – painful menstruation, involving abdominal cramps. Though with great anxiety and in pain, she felt a sense of relief that this would begin her journey towards treating her condition. It wasn’t until a few years later that she realized she was misdiagnosed.
On May 23rd, 2018, Daizy began having a difficult time breathing and was rushed to the hospital. Her lung had collapsed. It was this day that her life completely changed. It took another year before Daizy was finally properly diagnosed with Thoracic Endometriosis – a rare form of endometriosis where endometrial-like tissue is found in the lung. This condition is complex, rare, and diagnosed often late – as in Daizy’s case, and leads to recurrent hospitalizations and other medical complications.
Daizy underwent two Mechanical Pleurodesis procedures in hopes of preventing another lung collapse. This procedure removes the space between the lung and chest wall so that fluid or air no longer builds up between the layers. Unfortunately, both procedures proved to be futile. A year later and her lung had collapsed yet again for the 6th time, including the most recent one on December 2nd, 2021. Each episode leaves her incapacitated, dependent on strong medication, and with lengthy recovery times, which she never fully recovers.
Daizy’s quality of life has severely deteriorated and before it became what it is today, a break in the clouds, along with her strength and the grace of God, allowed Daizy to marry her best friend, John Atkinson in 2018. A testament to the power of the Lord.
Her husband, our family, is crushed but not defeated. He cares for Daizy around the clock and works full-time. Daizy’s only hope of treatment for this rare condition is to remove as much affected tissue around her lung before it consumes other organs and her entirely. However, because this condition is rare and complex, the treatment costs, including laparoscopic & lung surgery is unaffordable, for the procedures alone, which is not covered under her existing medical coverage. Our only hope is to admit her into the care of an Endometriosis Specialist center that can treat her condition from dual disciplines of Thoracic & Pelvic medicines.
This debilitating condition leaves Daizy bed-ridden for many days, even weeks at a time between excoriatingly painful cycles. But our family whole-heartedly believes that God knows what she is facing. He has heard our cries. He will be the one to deliver her from this horrible condition. The courage and devotion to the Lord is what allows Daizy and her husband to deal with her condition daily.
For Daizy, casting her care in God means she isn’t doing this on her own. It means that she relies confidently on him and leans on him. He sees where she is weak, but that is where he is strong. He sees what she is going through and that is where his presence and grace is sufficient.
Our family expresses our heartfelt gratitude for your support and generosity. We were and continue to remain humbled for your contribution towards her treatment. May God bless you.
At the young age of 9, Daizy suffered from excruciatingly painful endometrial cramps that forced her to be rushed to the hospital but were often brushed off as constipation or abdominal pain. By the time she was a teenager, the cramps worsened and were even predictable – happening monthly at the onset of her menses. Scared and depleted, Daizy was put on birth control in an effort to reduce her cramps and finally given a diagnosis in 2015 -- Dysmenorrhea – painful menstruation, involving abdominal cramps. Though with great anxiety and in pain, she felt a sense of relief that this would begin her journey towards treating her condition. It wasn’t until a few years later that she realized she was misdiagnosed.
On May 23rd, 2018, Daizy began having a difficult time breathing and was rushed to the hospital. Her lung had collapsed. It was this day that her life completely changed. It took another year before Daizy was finally properly diagnosed with Thoracic Endometriosis – a rare form of endometriosis where endometrial-like tissue is found in the lung. This condition is complex, rare, and diagnosed often late – as in Daizy’s case, and leads to recurrent hospitalizations and other medical complications.
Daizy underwent two Mechanical Pleurodesis procedures in hopes of preventing another lung collapse. This procedure removes the space between the lung and chest wall so that fluid or air no longer builds up between the layers. Unfortunately, both procedures proved to be futile. A year later and her lung had collapsed yet again for the 6th time, including the most recent one on December 2nd, 2021. Each episode leaves her incapacitated, dependent on strong medication, and with lengthy recovery times, which she never fully recovers.
Daizy’s quality of life has severely deteriorated and before it became what it is today, a break in the clouds, along with her strength and the grace of God, allowed Daizy to marry her best friend, John Atkinson in 2018. A testament to the power of the Lord.
Her husband, our family, is crushed but not defeated. He cares for Daizy around the clock and works full-time. Daizy’s only hope of treatment for this rare condition is to remove as much affected tissue around her lung before it consumes other organs and her entirely. However, because this condition is rare and complex, the treatment costs, including laparoscopic & lung surgery is unaffordable, for the procedures alone, which is not covered under her existing medical coverage. Our only hope is to admit her into the care of an Endometriosis Specialist center that can treat her condition from dual disciplines of Thoracic & Pelvic medicines.
This debilitating condition leaves Daizy bed-ridden for many days, even weeks at a time between excoriatingly painful cycles. But our family whole-heartedly believes that God knows what she is facing. He has heard our cries. He will be the one to deliver her from this horrible condition. The courage and devotion to the Lord is what allows Daizy and her husband to deal with her condition daily.
For Daizy, casting her care in God means she isn’t doing this on her own. It means that she relies confidently on him and leans on him. He sees where she is weak, but that is where he is strong. He sees what she is going through and that is where his presence and grace is sufficient.
Our family expresses our heartfelt gratitude for your support and generosity. We were and continue to remain humbled for your contribution towards her treatment. May God bless you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Maria Atkinson
Organizer
St. Petersburg, FL
Daizetta Atkinson
Beneficiary