Help put an end to Nicole’s ENDO
Donation protected
Nicole’s Endometriosis Story:
It’s no secret that Nicole has Endometriosis. Since she was diagnosed, she was curious and persistent towards understanding what this disease is and how she could form a sustainable lifestyle with it. This was not an easy task by any measure, but Nicole dove in head first to seek information, finding specialists, asking questions, reaching out to others from around the world and testing out different lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise and general well being to see what works best for her. Through this process she became an inspiration and advocate for many others with chronic illnesses and endometriosis that also have doubts, concerns and flooded emotions surrounding this disease. I do not know how many lives she has touched because of her determination and persistence to not let this disease become her life, but she has and continues to inspire me as a friend on a daily basis because of it. This disease is not easily recognized because the pain is internal, sporadic and ongoing, making it hard for others to understand the struggle Nicole goes through on a daily basis. I hope you can join me in supporting her through one of the burdens she faces because of this disease.
Endo say what?
For those of you who don’t know what Endometriosis is: it’s a disease in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus. This disease has been found in every organ of the body and can occur anywhere. It causes lesions that adhere organs together and causes debilitating pain as the body goes through it’s natural cycle. This pain reoccurs daily, is unexpected and does not show itself externally making it hard to recognize in those that have it.
Nicole was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2017 and Adenomyosis in 2012. She has had 3 surgeries related to endometriosis; as well as having her gallbladder removed in 2013. Unfortunately there is no cure for endometriosis, but excision is the gold standard of care. Excision is a laparoscopic procedure that removes the endometriosis by cutting out the affected areas as well as a portion of the healthy tissue surrounding the lesions providing the patient with a better quality of life, after a difficult recovery. However, a hysterectomy is a “cure” for Adenomyosis.
The Ask:
It has been two years since Nicole’s first excision surgery and the endometriosis symptoms are returning. She has started to miss days of work because of debilitating pain. Since the only excision specialist in Michigan announced he will be retiring, Nicole is forced to look out of state for a new specialist. Her and Brandon have come to the conclusion, along with the guidance of Nicole’s new excision specialist, that it’s time to go for the big bang and have the total hysterectomy.
The Details:
Nicole is scheduled for a hysterectomy, appendectomy, and excision of endometriosis at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago on July 12th. Her doctor has already informed her that she will need to spend the night in the hospital. We are hoping to raise $8K to help pay for medical bills and travel expenses, as this procedure is only partially covered by insurance.
Thank you!
Any bit of donation is helpful and appreciated. Thank you everyone for the support so far. Here’s to hoping for one of the final surgeries!
It’s no secret that Nicole has Endometriosis. Since she was diagnosed, she was curious and persistent towards understanding what this disease is and how she could form a sustainable lifestyle with it. This was not an easy task by any measure, but Nicole dove in head first to seek information, finding specialists, asking questions, reaching out to others from around the world and testing out different lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise and general well being to see what works best for her. Through this process she became an inspiration and advocate for many others with chronic illnesses and endometriosis that also have doubts, concerns and flooded emotions surrounding this disease. I do not know how many lives she has touched because of her determination and persistence to not let this disease become her life, but she has and continues to inspire me as a friend on a daily basis because of it. This disease is not easily recognized because the pain is internal, sporadic and ongoing, making it hard for others to understand the struggle Nicole goes through on a daily basis. I hope you can join me in supporting her through one of the burdens she faces because of this disease.
Endo say what?
For those of you who don’t know what Endometriosis is: it’s a disease in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus. This disease has been found in every organ of the body and can occur anywhere. It causes lesions that adhere organs together and causes debilitating pain as the body goes through it’s natural cycle. This pain reoccurs daily, is unexpected and does not show itself externally making it hard to recognize in those that have it.
Nicole was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2017 and Adenomyosis in 2012. She has had 3 surgeries related to endometriosis; as well as having her gallbladder removed in 2013. Unfortunately there is no cure for endometriosis, but excision is the gold standard of care. Excision is a laparoscopic procedure that removes the endometriosis by cutting out the affected areas as well as a portion of the healthy tissue surrounding the lesions providing the patient with a better quality of life, after a difficult recovery. However, a hysterectomy is a “cure” for Adenomyosis.
The Ask:
It has been two years since Nicole’s first excision surgery and the endometriosis symptoms are returning. She has started to miss days of work because of debilitating pain. Since the only excision specialist in Michigan announced he will be retiring, Nicole is forced to look out of state for a new specialist. Her and Brandon have come to the conclusion, along with the guidance of Nicole’s new excision specialist, that it’s time to go for the big bang and have the total hysterectomy.
The Details:
Nicole is scheduled for a hysterectomy, appendectomy, and excision of endometriosis at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago on July 12th. Her doctor has already informed her that she will need to spend the night in the hospital. We are hoping to raise $8K to help pay for medical bills and travel expenses, as this procedure is only partially covered by insurance.
Thank you!
Any bit of donation is helpful and appreciated. Thank you everyone for the support so far. Here’s to hoping for one of the final surgeries!
Co-organizers (3)
Meaghan Markiewicz
Organizer
Boston, MA
Nicole Gerou
Beneficiary
Brandon Churches
Co-organizer