Help Our Family Heal After A Missed Tumor Diagnosis

For the past several years, my family and I have been living through an unimaginable nightmare. In 2019, a gastroenterologist suspected I had a tumor on my ovary, but when I later had an ultrasound at my OBGYN, the technician dismissed it as a harmless cyst that would go away on its own. I wasn’t given a follow-up appointment or consultation with a doctor, and, trusting their word, I assumed my worsening symptoms were caused by something else. Over the years, my pain intensified, my stomach visibly distended, and I developed severe gastrointestinal issues as the mass silently grew and bullied my organs.

In 2024, after years of misdiagnoses and dismissals, I finally found a doctor who took my concerns seriously. By then, however, the tumor had grown to roughly the size of a basketball. The damage was irreversible. I required major surgery, and my oncologist initially feared that a full hysterectomy might be necessary. I was fortunate that only a single fallopian tube had to be removed, but this still diminished my already slim chances of conceiving. My husband and I have been trying for 12 years to have another child, and this news shattered us both. The oncologist confirmed that I will likely need in vitro fertilization (IVF) if we ever hope to conceive, which is devastating both emotionally and financially.

IVF is still a dream we hold close, but it’s one we’ve had to quietly set aside. I’m 36, turning 37 in just a couple of months. The clock ticks louder each day, so there’s a very real chance we may never get to pursue it. As much as I long to ask for help with those treatments, I can’t in good conscience pursue something like that while we’re struggling just to survive. It wouldn’t be fair to bring a child into a life this uncertain. We need to heal before we can even dream of opening that door again…if by then it’s even still possible.

Even before the tumor, I struggled with fertility issues, unaware that I had polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This condition has not only contributed to my infertility, but has also caused weight gain, unwanted hair growth on my face and neck, darkening skin patches in various areas of my body, thinning hair, depression, and insulin resistance. When it recently evolved into type 2 diabetes, I went into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), was hospitalized for an entire week, and underwent another major surgery to limit further damage. The numerous surgical scars and physical changes to my body have severely impacted my confidence, causing extreme dysmorphia. I don’t even recognize myself anymore, and can’t look in a mirror without crying.

All of this came after I had already undergone heart surgery to treat a serious disorder; supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). I still see a cardiologist regularly and manage my heart condition alongside everything else. My body hasn’t had time to rest. It’s been one crisis after another, each recovery interrupted by the next emergency.

This journey has taken a serious toll on my entire family. My 13-year-old son has seen more than any child should. He comforts me when I should be comforting him. He’s had to grow up too fast, watching the strong and capable mother he once knew dissolve under the weight of medical trauma, financial stress, and endless what-ifs. He’s too young to carry this kind of emotional burden. No child should have to worry about their parent this much. I want to be strong for him, to provide the way I used to and put his little heart at ease.

My husband, who has always been my rock, is now struggling with extreme anxiety and depression. He blames himself for our infertility, even though it was out of our control. He also carries the overwhelming weight of being our sole provider because I have been unable to work due to numerous doctor and hospital visits, chronic pain, the side effects of the many, many medications I now take daily, and constant nervous breakdowns. As our debt continues to pile up, he’s even considering taking on a second job. Not because he wants to, but because he has to, and I hate that this is our reality.

We’ve fallen so deep into debt from medical bills and lost wages that I don’t see a way out without help. I’ve applied for disability twice and was denied both times. We even attempted to pursue legal action against the medical professionals who repeatedly dismissed my tumor, hoping to recover from some of this financial burden and hold them accountable for their negligence. Unfortunately, due to strict statute of limitations laws, I was unable to move forward with my case, despite clear evidence of malpractice.

To try and stay afloat, we’ve gutted our savings, pulled from our 401 (k), maxed out credit cards, and have even taken out personal loans when that wasn’t enough. We’ve tried everything short of begging. And now, I guess… I am.

Your donation will go toward:

• Overwhelming medical debt from multiple hospitalizations and treatments

• Basic living expenses while I recover and work toward financial stability

If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing our story. Every bit of support means the world to us. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for being a part of our journey toward healing and hope.