Trigger Warning: medical trauma, misconduct, descriptions. 

Hi everyone,

I wanted to reach out and explain the situations that have been currently eliciting in my life and seek support for them.

Context:

I have been experiencing medical abnormalities since August 2020 regarding my menstrual cycle. Last November, I sought help from my medical provider but did not receive appropriate guidance and, instead, left feeling embarrassed.

Things remained atypical and strange but starting February 27, 2021, I underwent extreme menorrhagia, sharp pelvic pain and felt an accompanying mass on my body as if something were sitting on me. I bled heavily until late April. In May, spotting persisted, but my cycle started up again in early June and has not stopped since. I went to the emergency room when I began passing palm-sized clots. At PIH Health in Downey, I was subjected to medical malpractice, misogyny, and physical and sexual misconduct. I was denied access to a doctor and an ultrasound and was gaslit to believe my circumstance was normal. I filed a medical grievance following the incident.

After several more doctor consultations and switching insurances, I found a gynecologist who ultimately believed me. Within seconds of giving me an ultrasound, several tumors and cysts were found in my womb, among other abnormalities. I was scheduled to receive a hysteroscopy, biopsy, and uterine fibroid removal surgery on August 27, 2021. However, following extremely stressful affairs, I could not proceed with the surgery.

The weekend of 08/20, I experienced extreme stress. Sunday morning (08/22), around 4 am, I passed so much blood that my hemoglobin count went from 8.4 to 6.6 in less than seven days. I felt like I had ten miscarriages.

On the day of surgery, the anesthesiologist informed me that he could not proceed because of my risk for hypovolemic shock due to my low hemoglobin count. I was unaware that my hemoglobin level fell to a deathly rate. Because my body has undergone extreme trauma, I cannot get blood transfusions because no one knows how I'll react. However, I did get an iron transfusion since it's less demanding. 

As of now, I am being cared for by my family, close friends, and partner. Overall, I am fatigued but trying to proceed with this journey with as much optimism as possible.

Next Steps?

Rest, drinking supplements, bringing hemoglobin levels up, rescheduling surgery. If my biopsy finds anything to be malignant, I'll update, but I'm hoping my cysts and tumors will be removable and benign.

Transparency: 

In my bank account, I currently have 2k in savings. However, I owe $1,200. In May, for my graduation, I largely used credit to fund my mom coming to my graduation. I'm slowly paying all of this off. 

Medical Costs:

My surgery costs $20,000 but my insurance covers $15,000. I owe $5,000 for my surgery. I also have other medical expenses but at the moment this is the most urgent. Because I know most in my community are low-income, I want to cover some portions of this bill and plan to make a payment plan. However, I do owe someone $5,000 as I took this out from someone personally and this was the last of their funds.

Gratitude <3

Overall, regardless of monetary support, I feel very loved by many people and I’m grateful to be alive.