Help Em Through Excision Surgery

Hi! My name is Emily, known as Em to many - and I’m reaching out to my communities because I need your support to undergo a life-changing surgery. I’ve been battling symptoms of endometriosis for years and the pain and discomfort it brings into my life is overwhelming. Endometriosis has not only affected my physical health but has taken a toll on my emotional well-being, which has impacted many close to me as well.

By the time I was old enough to realize something was wrong, I fought for about nine years for a doctor to believe my symptoms were worth diagnosing. After several ruptured cysts and series of undetermined pain and illness, it was only during a surgery for another disease that an endo diagnosis was confirmed. It has taken another six years of increased symptoms, emergency department visits, tests and imaging, specialists and doctors in multiple countries, as well as heaps of financial responsibility and self-research to have this opportunity to work with a skilled team for excision surgery – the gold standard treatment for endometriosis.

Unfortunately, even with good medical insurance, the medical expenses associated with this operation are beyond what I can manage on my own. My surgery will be taking place in New York City and is scheduled in mid-December, and I am looking for help to cover some of the estimated out-of-pocket amount of $30,000-$40,000, the majority of which is required to be paid up front.

My hope is that undergoing this specialized surgery will alleviate daily pain and help me be able to participate in normal life activities within my communities, not miss as many days of work, reduce much of the stress and pain this disease causes and possibly help with fertility.

I am looking for encouragement and support for the surgery, post-op care & recovery. Whether that’s kind words, a food delivery, prayers, a postcard, or financial contribution – no matter method or size, it will make a tremendous difference in my life, put a smile on my face, and bring me closer to a pain-free (the hope) and healthier future.

Thank you for being a part of my team – for your kindness, support and generosity in helping me fight this battle against endometriosis in hopes for a better quality of life.

Much love,

Em

If you are interested to learn more about endometriosis below are a couple informational blurbs in my own words (I am not a medical professional) – please feel free to reach out with questions and I encourage you to search out other resources, there is a large virtual community with knowledge on endo who are sharing their experiences and education.

What is Endo? In short, it’s the presence of endometrial-like tissue (the uterus is lined with endometrial tissue - this lining is called the endometrium) found throughout the body, is a leading cause of infertility, and is in the top twenty most painful conditions in the world, along with cancer, appendicitis and childbirth. It can be continuous and/or cyclic month after month, year after year, progressively worsening without proper treatment.

For some perspective on awareness of this illness - while it impacts approximately the same percentage of women as diabetes does, it receives only about 5% the amount of funding that's allocated to diabetes - placing a higher financial burden on those affected. Diagnosing it early is important for effective treatment, yet it typically takes an average of ten years for a patient’s symptoms to be believed, understood, diagnosed, and treated.

There is no known cause or cure. Endo can appear anywhere in the body and has been found in every organ, including the heart and the brain.

If you have access to PBS.org programming, there is a documentary called ‘Below The Belt: The Last Health Taboo’ that follows the story of four patients – I found this to be a pretty accurate representation of what life can and does look like for many of us (the 1 in 10).