Help me fight my battle with endometriosis
Donation protected
Hello Everyone! My name is Nishia Womble and my husband is Matthew Womble. This is my story.
I have Stage 4 Endometriosis. I have been dealing with this disease since I was 15 years old, so over 16 years now. This disease is awful and it can take away your joy, happiness, and any social life you have. For some it takes away chances of becoming a mother. This disease has made me loose so much and is now effecting my career. I have some good days where I can fight the pain and not let it win, but there are other days where I'm really defeated and filled with physical and emotional pain. I have had miscarriages, and they took such a toll on me. While it is near impossible for me to get pregnant, it is also highly doubtful that I can carry full term. When I say this is my last option, I mean it truly is my last option. The pain, sorrow, depression, and everything that comes with endometriosis has fully taken a toll on me mentally and physically. If I have the slightest chance of relief and having a life, I'm willing to take it.
When I first noticed things were not right with my body (pain and constant bleeding) I went to my OBGYN just like anyone would. I was told " Oh you're fine its all in your head, you are just over reacting". I dealt with that for the first 2 years because my doctor never believed me, and finally decided I needed a new doctor. My pain became so unreal I was starting to miss school, I was allowing the disease to take over my life and things with my body were getting worse. So my search started and man oh man... It was long, hard and mentally draining. I found doctor #2... what a joke... First appointment he looked me dead in my eye and said " You are crazy, but here is some pain meds to help". I didn't want pain medicine, I wanted to know what was wrong with me. I left feeling defeated like no one would listen to me. Doctor #3 told me exactly what my primary OBGYN told me, again defeat set in. I went to 4 more doctors over the next few years, and then finally doctor #8 happened. I was 21, I had moved to another state and found my saving grace. Doctor #8 listened and explored and boom... Endometriosis Stage 4. We tried birth controls to help minimize bleeding, every single one that my body could take. Then we tried Laparoscopic surgery, burning and cutting off as much endometriosis as possible. However, the Doctor could not remove it all as it was the worst case she had ever seen. The endometriosis was even wrapped around my colon. After that, we tried Lupron injections. For one whole year I felt much better. I felt happiness and defeat was temporarily gone. Doctor #8 listened and we fought to try to beat the battle (the doctor told me with Stage 4 you will never be 100%, but we can try everything to help, but it might not work).
Eventually, the day came where I woke up one morning with pain, and I knew... I knew it was back. My happiness was gone, my defeat was back, and off to doctor #8 I went. The doctor confirmed that my endometriosis was back, and in full swing. We were out of options and it was time for a hysterectomy. I was in the middle of undergoing some other changes in my life, and I moved back home to Texas. This is where after some searching I found doctor #9. The first year with doctor #9 they wanted to do everything doctor #8 did all over again. The birth control, surgery, injections... However, I couldn't do it again... the menopause, the toxic stuff going into my body and knowing it would only help temporary. So I refused.
Fast forward a year, I woke up one Saturday morning and I couldn't move without a overwhelming pain. Anytime I would try to stand up I would vomit. So my husband took me to the ER. At the ER they found that I had cyst on my ovaries and one possibly ruptured... So now add getting painful cysts on top of endometriosis. I felt hopeless. I had a follow up appointment with doctor #9 and she finally agreed that a hysterectomy was needed. She listened to the pain, hurt, sorrow, and the defeat that I had been telling all of my doctors all these years. My husband and I had a long conversation with doctor #9 and decided a hysterectomy was the way to go.
So, June 15 I will have a hysterectomy. This is my only chance to hopefully be pain free and be "normal".
Originally the surgery was scheduled for March, but due to COVID-19 it was rescheduled to June. When the surgery takes place our insurance deductible will no longer be met as is it renews and starts over June 1st. The out of pocket quote for the hospital and hospital stay is $6,500. This does not include anything the insurance does not pay for with the doctor, physicians, etc.
We are not the type to ask for help, but this much needed surgery will undoubtedly set us back financially.
Any amount donated is greatly appreciated and we are truly grateful. We also ask for your thoughts and prayers during this time. I hope this helps bring continued awareness to this disease.
We also have Venmo, Apple Pay, and Zelle if you prefer.
I have Stage 4 Endometriosis. I have been dealing with this disease since I was 15 years old, so over 16 years now. This disease is awful and it can take away your joy, happiness, and any social life you have. For some it takes away chances of becoming a mother. This disease has made me loose so much and is now effecting my career. I have some good days where I can fight the pain and not let it win, but there are other days where I'm really defeated and filled with physical and emotional pain. I have had miscarriages, and they took such a toll on me. While it is near impossible for me to get pregnant, it is also highly doubtful that I can carry full term. When I say this is my last option, I mean it truly is my last option. The pain, sorrow, depression, and everything that comes with endometriosis has fully taken a toll on me mentally and physically. If I have the slightest chance of relief and having a life, I'm willing to take it.
When I first noticed things were not right with my body (pain and constant bleeding) I went to my OBGYN just like anyone would. I was told " Oh you're fine its all in your head, you are just over reacting". I dealt with that for the first 2 years because my doctor never believed me, and finally decided I needed a new doctor. My pain became so unreal I was starting to miss school, I was allowing the disease to take over my life and things with my body were getting worse. So my search started and man oh man... It was long, hard and mentally draining. I found doctor #2... what a joke... First appointment he looked me dead in my eye and said " You are crazy, but here is some pain meds to help". I didn't want pain medicine, I wanted to know what was wrong with me. I left feeling defeated like no one would listen to me. Doctor #3 told me exactly what my primary OBGYN told me, again defeat set in. I went to 4 more doctors over the next few years, and then finally doctor #8 happened. I was 21, I had moved to another state and found my saving grace. Doctor #8 listened and explored and boom... Endometriosis Stage 4. We tried birth controls to help minimize bleeding, every single one that my body could take. Then we tried Laparoscopic surgery, burning and cutting off as much endometriosis as possible. However, the Doctor could not remove it all as it was the worst case she had ever seen. The endometriosis was even wrapped around my colon. After that, we tried Lupron injections. For one whole year I felt much better. I felt happiness and defeat was temporarily gone. Doctor #8 listened and we fought to try to beat the battle (the doctor told me with Stage 4 you will never be 100%, but we can try everything to help, but it might not work).
Eventually, the day came where I woke up one morning with pain, and I knew... I knew it was back. My happiness was gone, my defeat was back, and off to doctor #8 I went. The doctor confirmed that my endometriosis was back, and in full swing. We were out of options and it was time for a hysterectomy. I was in the middle of undergoing some other changes in my life, and I moved back home to Texas. This is where after some searching I found doctor #9. The first year with doctor #9 they wanted to do everything doctor #8 did all over again. The birth control, surgery, injections... However, I couldn't do it again... the menopause, the toxic stuff going into my body and knowing it would only help temporary. So I refused.
Fast forward a year, I woke up one Saturday morning and I couldn't move without a overwhelming pain. Anytime I would try to stand up I would vomit. So my husband took me to the ER. At the ER they found that I had cyst on my ovaries and one possibly ruptured... So now add getting painful cysts on top of endometriosis. I felt hopeless. I had a follow up appointment with doctor #9 and she finally agreed that a hysterectomy was needed. She listened to the pain, hurt, sorrow, and the defeat that I had been telling all of my doctors all these years. My husband and I had a long conversation with doctor #9 and decided a hysterectomy was the way to go.
So, June 15 I will have a hysterectomy. This is my only chance to hopefully be pain free and be "normal".
Originally the surgery was scheduled for March, but due to COVID-19 it was rescheduled to June. When the surgery takes place our insurance deductible will no longer be met as is it renews and starts over June 1st. The out of pocket quote for the hospital and hospital stay is $6,500. This does not include anything the insurance does not pay for with the doctor, physicians, etc.
We are not the type to ask for help, but this much needed surgery will undoubtedly set us back financially.
Any amount donated is greatly appreciated and we are truly grateful. We also ask for your thoughts and prayers during this time. I hope this helps bring continued awareness to this disease.
We also have Venmo, Apple Pay, and Zelle if you prefer.
Organizer
Nishia Womble
Organizer
Burleson, TX