Help Sydni get Endometriosis Excision Surgery

Hey, I'm Sydni.

I've spent the past 14 years telling doctors that I believe I have endometriosis. Like many women with this condition, I was brushed off. "Those are normal cramps," they would tell me. I would even mention that my mother had endometriosis and had to have a hysterectomy because of it. OBGYNs continued to deny that anything was wrong with me. Even after two miscarriages.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the growth of uterine tissue outside of the uterus. These "lesions" can grow on the outside of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, the pelvic wall, bowels, colon, appendix, bladder, nerves, and diaphragm. Since they're technically uterine tissue, they still respond to monthly hormonal changes (ie becoming inflamed with blood). But, because they're not in the uterus, the lesions have nowhere to expose of the blood at the time of menstruation, so the lesions remain inflamed and continue to grow and cause scarring.

What does it feel like?

The best description I personally have: it feels like someone is shoving a knife up my butt and twisting it around for days at a time.

The reality is that many women don't feel an extreme amount of pain, if any at all. I was one of the lucky few that seemed to have been blessed with the most severe pain possible with this disease.

Why do I need surgery?

In case the pain I described above isn't convincing enough...

I've been in pain since I started menstruating at the age of 14. It's true that hormonal birth control suppressed the physical symptoms for me, but I'm to the point where hormonal birth control isn't an option for me.

My husband and I have been trying to have one more child. This became a possibility in January 2021 when I became pregnant. Unfortunately, I had a sudden and traumatic miscarriage at 12 weeks in March 2021. Then, I became pregnant again in June 2021 and was convinced the first loss was a fluke. But I miscarried again at 6 weeks in July 2021.

Coupled with the severe pain I'd been feeling each month for 14 years, I decided that these miscarriages were good enough reason to seek more answers and have my voice heard. Again, multiple OBGYNs told me I was fine and to "just keep trying to get pregnant".

But then I found Dr. Gavin Puthoff in St. Louis. He listened to me. He wants to help me. The best part? Someone canceled their surgery next week and he wants to get me in there ASAP. Based on our consultation and the pelvic exam he did, he believes I have Stage 3 or 4 endometriosis. It's possible that I have lesions and scarring on my uterine walls, bladder, bowels, and nerves. The worst case scenario is that I have deep lesions in my colon, which will require a partial removal and a colostomy bag. I'm meeting with colorectal surgeons this week so they can be present for my surgery.

Long story, short, he's an out-of network doctor. My insurance will pay for some of my costs, but not until later. I need to have a deposit ready in order to get the laparoscopic excision surgery - a procedure that less than 100 doctors worldwide are trained to do.

I'm desperate.

My quality of life is horrendous and I'm tired of being in pain all the time.

This surgery will help with the constant pain. The constant nausea. The constant fatigue. It may even help me grow my family.

If you have anything to give, I would appreciate the help more than you know. Thank you so, so much for even reading this.