Help us give Catherine her life back

Catherine’s story

Ever since her teenage years, Catherine has endured regular agonising pain as a result of the hideous disease that is endometriosis. In the beginning, it was cyclical: absolutely brutal, yet confined to a few days of the month to coincide with her period. However, three years ago, that horrific, regular burden turned into a constant nightmare like no other. The disease had spread so much, and infected so many different areas of Catherine’s body, that her life was transformed almost overnight. She was now in constant, excruciating pain. She went from a vibrant, active and adventurous woman to a shadow of her former self. Bed-bound, deteriorating, and losing weight rapidly, we managed to pull together the money for a private surgery.

Sadly, this decision did not provide the relief she had hoped for. After clawing together nearly £15000 for what we thought would change her life, her condition has only got worse. There was plastic left inside of her, which caused immense pain and bleeding until it finally passed from her body. There was endometriosis left behind. And now, three years later, Catherine is in more pain than ever. The endometriosis continues to spread. New scans and findings have revealed that both of her ovaries are now completely adhered to her bowel. The pain from this cannot be comprehended unless you have experienced it, or seen it. Moreover, Catherine has been told ever since this surgery that the pain she was suffering from was ‘in her head’ and there was no disease present. The psychological toll this takes on a person is unfathomable.

The Current Situation

Catherine is stuck in a horrible limbo of being unable to move forward with her life. We have recently been informed that the NHS waiting list for a surgery so complex is 18 months. The prospect of this is terrifying, as each day in this state is unbearable. That is why we – Jamie, her fiancé, and Alicia, her best friend – are taking the initiative and praying on the good will and generosity of others to help get Catherine the treatment she needs, and the treatment she deserves. We cannot watch her suffer any longer. Though Catherine has always refused our idea of asking for financial help, the overwhelming response she received from a video telling her story has given her some hope. A hope of healing.

How You Can Help

Due to the complex nature of Catherine’s condition and the multiple parts of her body the disease has impacted, there is a need for a multidisciplinary approach to the surgery. This is to ensure the best possible outcome, and to reduce the possibility of Catherine having to go under the knife again. This also means that the cost for this surgery will be high. Catherine also has autism, alongside PTSD from past surgical experiences, so this is not a decision that has been taken lightly. We just want to get Catherine the help she so desperately needs. We want to find her a future worth living.

Please, if you can, help us get Catherine well again. She constantly puts others before herself, be it animals or humans, but now it is time for her to come first. Any donation, no matter how small, will be appreciated beyond measure. And we cannot express enough how thankful we are for your kindness, support, and generosity throughout this troubling time.

If, by some miracle, we raise money beyond what is needed, we will donate the excess to either an endometriosis charity, or directly to another woman suffering on an NHS waiting list from this evil disease.

With love and gratitude,

Jamie & Alicia.

(www.instagram.com/cathkendall)