Help Kelly Dixon battle Endometriosis

My sister Kelly Dixon was first diagnosed with endometriosis in 2011 after having trouble getting pregnant with her second child. In the fall of 2011, a local doctor did an ablation procedure that removed a layer of the endometriosis. (Ablation surgery is a quick fix that allows women to get pregnant, but it is not a cure, and will grow back at different rates depending on the person and how aggressive their endometriosis is.) At that time, the doctor found the endometriosis located over her ovaries, cervix, and colon. It also was binding her organs together as well as to her lower back. Doctors rank the severity of endometriosis on a scale of 1 to 4, with 4 being the worst. Kelly’s was rated a 3-4. Now, 7 years later, Kelly's endometriosis has come back and is affecting her digestive system and causing severe pain. 
 
Endometriosis is a disease that has not had a lot of funding and, therefore, limited amount of research has been done on it. Today, most doctors recommend hormone therapy or ablation. However, studies have shown that these do not really treat the disease, but just attempt to manage the symptoms. The other “fun fact” about endometriosis is that there is no scan that can detect it. If it is on the ovary, an ultrasound can locate a possible cyst containing it (which is true for Kelly) but there is no way of knowing where else it could be located. The only way of finding it is to go in and have a laparoscopic surgery. Fortunately, based on Kelly's previous surgery photos, the doctors are able to guess what may be required to excise it. Unfortunately, she is looking at a possible hysterectomy, ovary removal, and even worse, a possible colon resection.
 
There are only a few doctors in the country that specialize in endometriosis excision surgery, cutting the endometriosis out from the root, and treating it in unusual locations in the body (outside of the ovaries and cervix area, such as where Kelly has it). Kelly saw an excision specialist in the city but the doctor would not attempt surgery on Kelly due to how severe her endometriosis is and the location of it. In fact, there are no excision doctors in Philadelphia at the level at which Kelly requires. After researching two doctors, Dr. Sinervo at the Center for Endometriosis Care in Atlanta, Georgia, and Dr. Vidali located in NYC, Kelly feels that the best care will be with Dr. Sinervo in Atlanta.  
 
Here is where we need your help! Most specialists do not take insurance, and if they do, it is at least a $7,000 - $9,000 deposit. After the surgery, a hospital stay for an outpatient surgery can be $5,000 upwards. If Kelly requires having a colon resection, it will be a 3 to 5 day hospital stay, and hospital fees for that would be even more. Her insurance is not great and they cannot get any definitive numbers from the insurance or hospital. But from the estimates we’ve gotten so far, minimum out of pocket payment for everything is going to be close to $20,000. Not to mention travel expenses, including hotel stays, and a good chance for physical therapy afterwards.

 What I am asking of friends, family, and other generous hearts is to consider donating to Kelly’s situation. Any amount will help!

 Thank you,

 Kelly’s Brother, Matt

Kelly with her son Jasper

Kelly with her daughter Charlotte

Kelly with her husband Mark