Hi everyone,

As many of you know, my wife Katherine has been battling crippling back pain for a number of years. After countless appointments, tests, referrals and treatments, most of which have had little or no lasting efficacy, it’s become clear that her severe adenomyosis and endometriosis are likely major contributors to her chronic pain. Her pain has become unbearable, and it’s time to take the next step toward healing.

Katherine has been through so much already. Some years ago, she underwent an oophorectomy after being diagnosed with an endometrial tumour, and a hysterectomy was considered but postponed. Now, after exhausting every other option, a hysterectomy is likely the solution to help alleviate her pain and give her a chance at a better quality of life.

While this surgery brings hope, it also presents some significant challenges. Katherine will need to take unpaid leave from work, as most of her leave entitlements have already been used during her ongoing health battles. To cover the cost of the surgery, she will be applying for early release of her superannuation, but the recovery process will incur additional expenses as we pay for ongoing support and rehab services. Specifically, our priority is to be able to hire a hospital bed for her recovery.

How You Can Help:

Things have been very tough for us financially over the past year, and needing to take time off work to care for Katherine during her recovery will stretch our limited budget even further. We’re reaching out to our community for for support during what has been an extremely difficult and stressful time. All contributions will go directly toward covering the costs of Katherine’s surgery, recovery, and to cover the time we’ll need to take off work to ensure she heals properly.

A Message from Katherine:

Living with severe pain has been isolating and exhausting. My back pain has significantly reduced my ability to work and spend time with friends, go to church, spend time in nature, or do the things I love.

This experience has been absolutely crippling in every sense. In many instances I have been unable to walk for several weeks at a time. The pain is unrelenting and difficult to put into words.

I am not sure if this will be the solution we are hoping for, but I'm willing to throw everything at this if it gives me the chance of being able to return to some level of normalcy.

It’s never easy to ask for help, but your generosity means the world to me. Thank you to anyone who is able to contribute.

A Message from Brett:

Watching Katherine go through all these struggles over the last years has been really tough for me. Caring for Katherine when she has a bad flare up means helping her get to the toilet, cooking her meals, and shouldering many of the household responsibilities which has been rough to manage, especially with my other commitments and my own mental health struggles to boot! This surgery is a source of hope that we can get back to something more 'normal' and be able to do regular couple things again, like go on trips or even just out for dinner together, without worring about how long she can sit or walk or what the consequences will be afterward.

We are so thankful for any support you can offer—whether it’s a donation, kind words or prayers. Your care means the world to us and will help Katherine focus on her health and recovery.

With love and gratitude,

Brett and Katherine