Help Me Fight Endometriosis

This is so difficult to write. I’ve always been a very independent person, and ever since my mom died when I was 15, I’ve worked hard to take care of myself. As of November of 2020, I was doing pretty well. I was 24, working a great job as a rural social worker, and making plans to go back to school to get a Master’s in social work. I’d been battling endometriosis for years, but I was managing pretty well.

Unfortunately, my symptoms have become more and more debilitating. Anyone with endo quickly gets used to living with pain. But in the space of a few months, I went from being able to hold down a demanding job, play with my baby nieces, go for hikes, and help my disabled sister with chores and errands... to being unable to work, suffering from nausea so severe I’ve rapidly lost a huge amount of weight, and spending nearly all of my time lying very still. Incontinence came along with other embarrassing and debilitating symptoms. My body was breaking down. 

With support from friends and family, I worked through the pain as long as I could, giving up my social life and hobbies to spend most of my free time in bed. But my symptoms kept worsening, and in November of 2020, I had to admit to myself that I could no longer keep up with my job. I've been unable to work since.

The source of the pain that’s caused all of this trouble is endometrial tissue adhering my organs to each other and to my abdominal wall. The only effective treatment is a complex excision surgery, which very few surgeons are qualified to do. 

The good news is that I finally, FINALLY! have excision surgery scheduled for June 14, 2023!! This will be my third surgery for endometriosis (and hopefully my last for a long time).

I will still need money for living expenses until then, like gas, toiletries, etc. I also have everything I own in storage. 

I know this is a super difficult time for everybody, and I would normally never ask, but I’m out of options. I’ve done everything I can on my own, but now I’m asking my community - you! - for help. If you can share this, I’ll be so grateful! And if you can help directly, know that every dollar makes a world of difference to me. 

Thank you so much for reading. ♡

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