For those that know us, know that we are the "We will figure it out" kind of people, and we do. Unfortunately, we are not able to do that with this situation on our own. We are asking for help from friends and family to help her. Dakota is in a huge fight medically and needs help. She has been unable to work for several months and will not be able to for at least a few more. She has already had one surgery and is about to have one more. This is more than likely not the last one either. She is in constant pain daily, some days worse than others.

This journey started over a year ago. She has always had long, painful periods, but they stopped. We went to the doctor and expected it to be a positive pregnancy, but instead, we left that appointment in tears and scared. The doctor told us that she had had a miscarriage, and they found a mass on her right ovary which she would need surgery to remove.

In that surgery, not only did he find the mass on her right ovary, but he also found endometrial tissue on her ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder) and small intestine. He was only able to safely remove a small amount of tissue on the right ovary. The left ovary was not even able to be cleaned up at all.

The referral was sent to St. Louis to a specialist. The specialist had a several-month waiting list, and we took the very first available appointment. The specialist has said she has to have another surgery on June 8th.

That surgery is going to consist of:

1. Removal of cysts on both ovaries

2. Removal of as much endometrial tissue on the other organs

3. Testing on both tubes (dye to see if they are viable)

4. Stents placed in the ureters

5. Possible resection of damaged tissue of the bowel

6. Possible full hysterectomy

Anybody that knows Dakota knows that she has always wanted to be a mother. The specialist said that IF this surgery is a success, she is still in a fight for that to happen. They think that if she is able to have children, it will be a long shot and will require medical intervention. They mentioned IVF or surrogacy, but we will cross that bridge if it is even possible. Dakota only qualifies for state-covered insurance, and unfortunately, that is not covered.

We are asking our family and friends to help Dakota in this long journey ahead of her. Please, if any of you can help her with expenses through all of this, it would be greatly appreciated.

She needs help with:

1. Travel Expenses

a) Hotel stays during treatment

b) Rental vehicles - Ours will not make the 5 1/2 hour one-way trip

c) Food expenses during treatment

2. Personal expenses

a) Daily living during recovery time

IF this surgery is a success and they are able to save at least one tube, she will require more surgery in time to follow to continually clean up the tissue that will continue to spread over time. All donations go directly to Dakota.