Help Theresa Get Her Life Back
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Hello, my name is Theresa and I have stage IV endometriosis. Endo is an inflammatory disease which causes the growth of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus in other areas of the body. The severity of endo and its symptoms range greatly, from none at all to serious chronic pain and incapacitating flare-ups that can last weeks. Additionally, if left untreated, endo can cause a host of other illnesses and conditions such as IBS, fibromyalgia, and many others. Unfortunately, my symptoms are at the more extreme end of the spectrum, and chronic severe pain has become all-too familiar. Endo has proved to be a significant detriment to nearly every aspect of my life, making it difficult to do everyday activities without doubling over in pain, and sometimes barely being able to get up. This lack of mobility forces me to take a lot of time out of work, a large portion of which is unpaid absences. Outside of work endo prevents me from doing the things I love like going to the gym, hot yoga, hiking, and often social events.
Although it affects 1 in 10 women (roughly 16 million in the US alone), endo is largely unstudied and misunderstood by the medical scientific community. Common treatments for severe endo are antiquated and have proven to be ineffective, and often come with harsh life-long side effects. There is no cure for endo, but it is an operable condition. Experts in the field agree that excision surgery is the gold standard of treatment for the disease. Excision is a direct physical removal of the diseased tissue from affected areas. Three weeks ago I met with an endo specialist who performs such operations, and is optimistic that my life will be significantly improved with excision. Unfortunately, the practice is out of my insurance network, so I will have to pay the surgery fees out of pocket. For this reason I am reaching out for support from anyone who is willing to help, anything at all helps even just sharing this campaign would be hugely appreciated. Thanks so much for reading!
-Theresa
Although it affects 1 in 10 women (roughly 16 million in the US alone), endo is largely unstudied and misunderstood by the medical scientific community. Common treatments for severe endo are antiquated and have proven to be ineffective, and often come with harsh life-long side effects. There is no cure for endo, but it is an operable condition. Experts in the field agree that excision surgery is the gold standard of treatment for the disease. Excision is a direct physical removal of the diseased tissue from affected areas. Three weeks ago I met with an endo specialist who performs such operations, and is optimistic that my life will be significantly improved with excision. Unfortunately, the practice is out of my insurance network, so I will have to pay the surgery fees out of pocket. For this reason I am reaching out for support from anyone who is willing to help, anything at all helps even just sharing this campaign would be hugely appreciated. Thanks so much for reading!
-Theresa
Organizer
Theresa Cavanagh
Organizer
Providence, RI