Help Erica with medical & surgical experiences
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Please help support our beloved Erica's travel, surgery, and recovery efforts!
In 2018, Erica was diagnosed with Pelvic Endometriosis, a condition under-diagnosed in women. Furthermore, her specialists suspect extrapelvic disease in which Endometriosis presents on other organs in the body. Erica’s doctor suspect Thoracic or Diaphragmatic Endometriosis.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic disease, which produces the growth of endometrial-like cells in the pelvic area including the fallopian tubes, ovaries, various organs in the pelvic region, and/or the inner wall of the abdominopelvic cavity or the thoracic cavity (Endo has been found on every organ in the body). Not only can it impact day to day life with symptoms, it can also affect fertility.
You can find out more about Endometriosis through these links:
https://centerforendo.com/endometriosis-understanding-a-complex-disease
https://extrapelvicnotrare.org/
www.speakendo.com
www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis
https://extrapelvicnotrare.org/the-abcs-of-epd-extrapelvic-disease-for-endometriosis/
The severity of her symptoms - including but not limited to pain and respiratory issues are ongoing and debilitating. It is medically recommended that Erica receives an excision surgery by an Endometriosis specialist that can support her long-term health, and fertility, as well as promote a productive life. Luckily, (after being 5 months on a waitlist) a world renowned surgeon in Atlanta has agreed to treat her and perform this sensitive surgery. The specialist practices at the Center for Endometriosis Care.
During the surgery, her pelvic and thoracic cavity will be explored and treated by the specialist and a thoracic surgeon. They will perform a laparoscopic excision surgery, thoracoscopy, hysteroscopy, and chromotubation amongst many other procedures.
The effects of the surgery will also require a healing process of a few months. Thankfully, Erica's work and job are able to receive her back and allow her this time to recover. However, the expenses require community support.
The costs of travel, surgery, and recovery total to $15,000. Please consider donating. Any amount helps! Between friends, family, and the larger community we know we can do this! The surgery alone costs $21,000 - insurance will pay for partial. She is required to pay $8,500 before her surgery date, Oct 21st. Any funds not raised will be paid for by CareCredit and/or personal loan.
Cost breakdown is as follows!
$2,500 in Travel expenses - including, flight, hotel, car rental, food
$8,500 for Surgery (upfront cost)
$4,000 in surgery costs not covered by insurance, additional medical care, recovery
It takes a community to support those we love. Thank you for supporting and sending prayers!
Please read below for a statement from Erica, more information on endometriosis, and detailed plan:
Since my young teen years, I have experienced sporadic symptoms with no diagnosis. I have been in and out of the hospital and have been to the ER for all of my symptoms over the years more times than I can count! By October 2017 the symptoms had increased and the severity did too. The symptoms quickly became a daily occurrence that impacted my ability to work, eat, sleep, and participate in life (had to withdraw from school and work, minimally). I was experiencing debilitating pain, nausea, headaches, cramps, chronic pelvic pain, back pain, respiratory issues, dizziness, foggy brain, chronic fatigue, extended cycles, weight loss, etc. for the better part of each month. These symptoms are debilitating and are currently ongoing.
In April 2018, a gynecologist performed a surgery meant to investigate my reproductive system, remove a polyp, explore a mass on my ovary, and search for Endometriosis (if found, laser off!). During surgery, the gynecologist did, in fact, find Endometriosis growing in multiple different areas and was able to laser off as much as she was able to locate.
I finally had a diagnosis for the struggles I had experienced for over a decade.
I discovered that there are many methods/healing modalities that can be used to manage this chronic disease and I have sought out those options for the past several years and will continue to utilize them moving forward. Through countless hours of research, and per recommendation by my Endometriosis specialist, I discovered that excision, compared to laser removal (ablation) is the gold standard for endometriosis care/surgery (please see image below for reference).
I strive to find long term, sustainable health solutions for my body and know that this surgery is my next best step in order to find relief and promote future healthy outcomes.
Thank you for reading my story. I am excited to continue my health and wellness journey and am hopeful for the future. I feel uncomfortable and vulnerable being in this position, yet know that living with vulnerability and community are how I want to walk through this life. I appreciate you and you and you for being a part of it.
I am grateful for the opportunity to seek this type of healthcare and feel deeply for those who cannot access this type of healthcare, and for those who have struggled with undiagnosed Endometriosis/chronic disease. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reach out to me personally.
Click Here for Full Image Surgery Comparison
Care Plan
Primary Care Physician (integrative/functional medicine doctor in holistic westernized clinic) to assist me in balancing hormones and pain management
Pelvic floor therapy to address any pelvic floor issues that may be causing further pain and a myriad of other symptoms. Chronic pain and endometriosis are factors in pelvic floor dysfunction and other pelvic floor issues. (http://centerforendo.com/preparing-for-pelvic/)
Acupuncture for Endometriosis patients helps to balance hormone levels and manage pain. I also intend to utilize it for issues exacerbated by the Endo.
Manual Therapy for muscle repair and lung function. Helps with pain and the dissolution of scar tissue.
Medications prescribed to me by any of my doctors
Surgery to excise endometriosis from pelvic, diaphragmatic, and chest area. Specialists will be exploring my pelvic area, as well as my diaphragm and lungs, in order to evaluate if there are growths present and they will remove as able.
Pulmonologist to evaluate and monitor lung function
In 2018, Erica was diagnosed with Pelvic Endometriosis, a condition under-diagnosed in women. Furthermore, her specialists suspect extrapelvic disease in which Endometriosis presents on other organs in the body. Erica’s doctor suspect Thoracic or Diaphragmatic Endometriosis.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic disease, which produces the growth of endometrial-like cells in the pelvic area including the fallopian tubes, ovaries, various organs in the pelvic region, and/or the inner wall of the abdominopelvic cavity or the thoracic cavity (Endo has been found on every organ in the body). Not only can it impact day to day life with symptoms, it can also affect fertility.
You can find out more about Endometriosis through these links:
https://centerforendo.com/endometriosis-understanding-a-complex-disease
https://extrapelvicnotrare.org/
www.speakendo.com
www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/endometriosis
https://extrapelvicnotrare.org/the-abcs-of-epd-extrapelvic-disease-for-endometriosis/
The severity of her symptoms - including but not limited to pain and respiratory issues are ongoing and debilitating. It is medically recommended that Erica receives an excision surgery by an Endometriosis specialist that can support her long-term health, and fertility, as well as promote a productive life. Luckily, (after being 5 months on a waitlist) a world renowned surgeon in Atlanta has agreed to treat her and perform this sensitive surgery. The specialist practices at the Center for Endometriosis Care.
During the surgery, her pelvic and thoracic cavity will be explored and treated by the specialist and a thoracic surgeon. They will perform a laparoscopic excision surgery, thoracoscopy, hysteroscopy, and chromotubation amongst many other procedures.
The effects of the surgery will also require a healing process of a few months. Thankfully, Erica's work and job are able to receive her back and allow her this time to recover. However, the expenses require community support.
The costs of travel, surgery, and recovery total to $15,000. Please consider donating. Any amount helps! Between friends, family, and the larger community we know we can do this! The surgery alone costs $21,000 - insurance will pay for partial. She is required to pay $8,500 before her surgery date, Oct 21st. Any funds not raised will be paid for by CareCredit and/or personal loan.
Cost breakdown is as follows!
$2,500 in Travel expenses - including, flight, hotel, car rental, food
$8,500 for Surgery (upfront cost)
$4,000 in surgery costs not covered by insurance, additional medical care, recovery
It takes a community to support those we love. Thank you for supporting and sending prayers!
Please read below for a statement from Erica, more information on endometriosis, and detailed plan:
Since my young teen years, I have experienced sporadic symptoms with no diagnosis. I have been in and out of the hospital and have been to the ER for all of my symptoms over the years more times than I can count! By October 2017 the symptoms had increased and the severity did too. The symptoms quickly became a daily occurrence that impacted my ability to work, eat, sleep, and participate in life (had to withdraw from school and work, minimally). I was experiencing debilitating pain, nausea, headaches, cramps, chronic pelvic pain, back pain, respiratory issues, dizziness, foggy brain, chronic fatigue, extended cycles, weight loss, etc. for the better part of each month. These symptoms are debilitating and are currently ongoing.
In April 2018, a gynecologist performed a surgery meant to investigate my reproductive system, remove a polyp, explore a mass on my ovary, and search for Endometriosis (if found, laser off!). During surgery, the gynecologist did, in fact, find Endometriosis growing in multiple different areas and was able to laser off as much as she was able to locate.
I finally had a diagnosis for the struggles I had experienced for over a decade.
I discovered that there are many methods/healing modalities that can be used to manage this chronic disease and I have sought out those options for the past several years and will continue to utilize them moving forward. Through countless hours of research, and per recommendation by my Endometriosis specialist, I discovered that excision, compared to laser removal (ablation) is the gold standard for endometriosis care/surgery (please see image below for reference).
I strive to find long term, sustainable health solutions for my body and know that this surgery is my next best step in order to find relief and promote future healthy outcomes.
Thank you for reading my story. I am excited to continue my health and wellness journey and am hopeful for the future. I feel uncomfortable and vulnerable being in this position, yet know that living with vulnerability and community are how I want to walk through this life. I appreciate you and you and you for being a part of it.
I am grateful for the opportunity to seek this type of healthcare and feel deeply for those who cannot access this type of healthcare, and for those who have struggled with undiagnosed Endometriosis/chronic disease. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to reach out to me personally.
Click Here for Full Image Surgery Comparison
Care Plan
Primary Care Physician (integrative/functional medicine doctor in holistic westernized clinic) to assist me in balancing hormones and pain management
Pelvic floor therapy to address any pelvic floor issues that may be causing further pain and a myriad of other symptoms. Chronic pain and endometriosis are factors in pelvic floor dysfunction and other pelvic floor issues. (http://centerforendo.com/preparing-for-pelvic/)
Acupuncture for Endometriosis patients helps to balance hormone levels and manage pain. I also intend to utilize it for issues exacerbated by the Endo.
Manual Therapy for muscle repair and lung function. Helps with pain and the dissolution of scar tissue.
Medications prescribed to me by any of my doctors
Surgery to excise endometriosis from pelvic, diaphragmatic, and chest area. Specialists will be exploring my pelvic area, as well as my diaphragm and lungs, in order to evaluate if there are growths present and they will remove as able.
Pulmonologist to evaluate and monitor lung function
Co-organizers (2)
Moira Gallagher
Organizer
Austin, TX
Erica Reyes
Beneficiary
Vanessa Mariposa
Co-organizer