Help Joleen with surgery costs to improve quality of life

I am faced with another health crisis and even though I feel like it's too much to have to go through all over again, giving up is not an option. Please support if you can as I prepare to have another major surgery. If not your prayers are also welcomed.

If you are based in Trinidad and Tobago and prefer a local bank please send to

Joleen Meharris-Simpson (Use Joleen Paula Meharris-Simpson if sending funds from an FCB account)

FCB Savings Account #: 1536335

Firstly, let me say thank you for your support in the past. As you know, I suffer from a chronic condition called endometriosis and I was diagnosed with Stage IV. In 2017, I had surgery that involved major work on my right lung. I am a walking miracle and I am forever grateful!

Things were stable for a few years but I still have some challenges that are worsening over time including persistent ascites (fluid build up in the abdomen). 2023 was a particularly difficult year for me. The hormonal medication caused serious side effects that left me with a low blood count for basically the entire year. They tried changing the medication but it just made things worse. In November 2023, I had a paracentesis procedure during which 3 litres of fluid were removed from my abdominal cavity. Since then things I’ve been stable as I am on a short term hormonal therapy for 6 months.

The good news is that CT scans show that my lungs are intact and also I am grateful that I am not in pain but I cannot stay on the meds any longer. The side effects have caused other health issues including ostopenia (low bone density) and moreover as of the end of April I am only allowed one more injection from the clinic due to the terrible side effects. So my surgery needs to happen within the next 2 months or so which would also give me sufficient recovery time over the July/August vacation as I’m a teacher.

At age 32, 7 years ago, the doctors did not perform any radical surgery hoping to give me a chance of fertility but with 40 around the corner and with a multitude of challenges I can calmly say that this ship has sailed and I am okay with that.

I do not want to make this into a long watery story but I am faced once again with urgent surgery. You are probably wondering if I have health insurance and I do but as endometriosis was a pre-existing condition, there is an exclusion that the insurance will not cover any endometriosis related illness. Have I tried to get it done locally? Well the truth is since last year 2023, I have been trying to get a date while battling the various hormonal meds. It was supposed to happen in March 2024. It is a highly complicated surgery that will include the colon and bowel and possibly other organs but after the local surgeons presented the risks and their limitations including the high possibility of a colostomy bag which is not an option for anyone who is searching for quality of life. God impressed me that this was not the way to go. It would be free yes but I would probably end up worse off than before.

So here I am once again not wanting to ask for help but having to raise funds in order to have this surgery done. I have received most of the quotations from the specialist hospital in Atlanta and the figure we are looking at is about USD 50,000 or TT$350,000. We are doing local fundraising and I’m also starting this Go Fund me to the amount of USD$20,000 to cover part of the costs. I know that things are challenging all around but if you are in a position to support we would greatly appreciate it. If not, your prayers would also be appreciated. All I desire is quality of life and to help other women on this journey. I’ve been trying to put on a brave face day in and day out and it’s only by God’s grace and mercy in addition to my husband’s prayerfulness and indomitable spirit that I press on.

If you are based in Trinidad and Tobago and prefer a local bank please send to

Joleen Meharris-Simpson (Use Joleen Paula Meharris-Simpson if using FCB)

FCB Savings Account #: 1536335

Thank you in advance for your support and may God bless you and your family.

Giving up is not an option!

#nevergiveup. #keepfighting #keepthefaith

Love,

Joleen & Daniel