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Help Emily Fund Endometriosis Treatment
0% complete
£8,664 raised of £10K
175 donations
Hi everyone,
This is Amanda, one of Emily’s flatmates up in Edinburgh.
We have created this GoFundMe alongside Emily to raise the money needed to treat her endometriosis. Emily was diagnosed with endometriosis last year, although she has been dealing with the painful symptoms for many years. Over the last couple of difficult weeks the symptoms have become unbearable. She is currently lying on a mat on the living room floor where she has spent most of the last week since being discharged from hospital, using a hot water bottle, naproxen, paracetamol and opioid medication to numb the pain. She is unable to eat without severe pain, cannot walk much further than around 50 meters and is struggling enormously with gastrointestinal issues. She has been signed off of work but sadly is not yet entitled to full sick pay due to not having completed her 4 month probation period.
Because of endometriosis, periods are always painful for Emily but not to the severity that they were this month. For two weeks before going to hospital she was experiencing dizziness, pain and worried that she was going to collapse at work. She was bed bound for two days before being encouraged to go to A&E by a flatmate/friend. She eventually went to A&E on Saturday the 5th September and spent over 10 hours waiting in A&E before being admitted to the gynaecology ward at 6:30am in the morning on Sunday 6th September. On Monday 7th she had an internal and external ultrasound. It was not an easy experience, as the mix of medication and severe anxiety regarding the pain made her vomit for several times before but she powered through. The ultrasounds showed two cysts growing on her left ovary. She was told by the consultant that a Laparoscopy is needed for further (UK) diagnosis and to remove the endometriosis cells. Emily was diagnosed with Endometriosis in August 2025 in the Netherlands, but diagnostic testing in the UK currently requires an operative laparoscopy.
On Tuesday 8th September she was discharged from the hospital while still in severe pain. She is on the NHS waiting list for the Laparoscopy, which has an 18 month minimum wait, and no date was given. She is taking opioids to manage the pain but this is not a long term solution, especially considering the 18 month+ wait.
Emily was hoping the pain would subside a little at the end of her menstrual cycle but it is persisting. She urgently needs further investigation to find out exactly what is causing the severe gastrointestinal pain and receive treatment. After considering all possible options, and the impact this is having on her quality of life, Emily has realised that the only solution to live manageably with this condition is by seeking private treatment.
She has been in contact with two private hospitals to receive quotes and further guidance. She would be able to get a consultation privately within two weeks and will able to get the Laparoscopy soon after. Emily has looked into cheaper options overseas, but needs to be near family and friends when recovering due to the long recovery time of 3 - 5 weeks.
Below is the quoted amounts for the treatment involved:
- Laparoscopy - £5,600. This is keyhole surgery to diagnose and treat endometriosis. Excising endometriosis at the time of surgery is considered the best way to treat it and to improve pain. These improvements are not necessarily permanent and repeat surgery may be needed, which is why we are aiming to raise £10,000 overall.
- MRI - £625. An MRI Scan can be helpful to look for deep endometriosis affecting organs such as the bladder or bowel.
- Consultation pre/post MRI and surgery - £200 per 30 mins. This is required before undergoing Laparoscopy.
- Unfortunately spread of infection and Endometriosis cells is common across multiple organs and will increase the price, which is another reason why we are aiming to raise £10,000 in total
All money raised will go directly to Emily to pay for these tests and treatment. If there is any money unused, it will be donated to an Endometriosis charity of her choice.
Emily said "Endometriosis has completely changed my life and not for the better. I can't walk further than 50m down the road during a flareup without vomiting or being doubled over in agony. I can't eat all my favourite foods and if you know me, you know I am a hardcore pastry and coffee girlie. I rely totally on opioids which negatively impacts my mental health and makes me feel like I am high all the time. Its not fun, trust me.
Although my body is readjusting slowly. I can't use the bathroom without laxatives. The pain is excrutiating, I can't eat without being in burning stabbing pain from my abdomen to my legs, sometimes my back and my shoulder. I hate the privatisation of the NHS, but I need to improve my quality of life and get back to work. Please give anything you can to support me. Any donations over 10k will go to leading Scottish and British Endometriosis charities. Thank you so much, sending love to you and yours".
Although Emily is really struggling at the moment, she has been surrounded by friends and family who are looking after her and is still managing to smile. Emily is an extremely kind and caring person and has raised money and supported many people over the years. Please show her the same love and generosity by helping fund this much needed treatment. We can't wait to see Em back to her usual vibrant self and enjoying life again. <3
Please see the attached image for facts about endometriosis. Emily is not alone in this, 1.5 MILLION women assigned female at birth have Endo just in the UK and more are living undiagnosed.
If you cannot donate, no worries, please share the fundraiser on your Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, email - whatever works for you!
More information:
PHOTOS: Emily pictured in hospital. Emily in healthier happier times with her kind and lovely housemates who take care of her at home in Edinburgh.