Hi, Lauren here. I'm apprehensive to share so much of this personal struggle publicly, but 2023 has taught me that people often are willing and want to help if they know how to. Here's a bit of what's been happening this last year...

On March 8th, 2023 I had surgery and was diagnosed with endometriosis. I never saw the doctor after surgery and found out the diagnosis on MyChart. At my followup, the surgeon ended up saying "you were right, you have endometriosis. What questions do you have?" I was not diagnosed with a stage and was not told of any complications or things to worry about. The doctor said there was a possibility that I'd need a repeat surgery in the future, but seemed confident I was in a good position for both my health and fertility.

The first time I asked a doctor if I could have endometriosis was over 16 years ago. She laughed my question off, told me I was too young, and said that I needed to increase my dairy intake to help with the debilitating pain and symptoms I was suffering from. Throughout my twenties, I spent time going from doctor to doctor trying to get answers. Many doctors I saw suggested birth control without ever even taking my complaints seriously. Several doctors suggested I had a low pain tolerance, and others told me I should look into therapy. (The pain is all in your head). In 2020, right before the pandemic, I spent several thousand dollars out of pocket to work with a women's health specialist. She ordered bloodwork and we had our initial appointment, and then the office closed. I lost all my deposit. Doctors in the last three or four years started to suspect I have endometriosis, but most told me they would not perform surgery until I was ready to try for children, despite the pain and discomfort I was struggling with.

Finally fed up with being put off by doctors, Logan and I agreed to schedule the surgery and pursue whatever treatment paths followed. We would have liked to be in a different position in our lives before reaching this point, but I've realized life doesn't follow expectations. After surgery, I was told I should experience lighter cycles and far less pain. My fertility outcomes should improve for about 6 months to a year, but the doctor referred me to the Fertility Center for treatment anyway, to try to maximize likelihood of chances right after surgery.

In the countless appointments I had following surgery, several strange symptoms kept coming up that were cause enough for concern. My first month at the Fertility Center, I had to have an MRI of my brain done to check to see if I had a tumor on my pituitary gland. The scan came back negative luckily, but we lost over a month of treatment time thanks to the wait times for MRIs. And, we now had more unanswered questions. My cycle symptoms since surgery still hadn't improved either, actually the opposite... I began experiencing the worst periods I have ever had in my life.

I made it through one obviously unsuccessful cycle of fertility treatment. The treatment was physically excruciating for me, and after discussing my treatment plan and symptoms with the reproductive endocrinologist, it was recommended I be dismissed from treatment until my symptoms improve. Despite all I have tried, my symptoms have not improved. I've gone to the ER for my period for the first time in my life.

Throughout 2023, I have had more doctors appointments than there were weeks of the year. I've had two MRIs, several biopsies, more ultrasounds and scans and exams than I can count, and spent thousands out of pocket on tests, supplements, and just trying to manage everything. I've signed up for medical studies and looked into treatment options. I am working with a team of doctors trying to get my health back on track, and praying we can grow our family someday. Multiple doctors, including the Reproductive Endocrinologist I was working with who specializes in endometriosis, have suggested I seek out another surgery at a specialist.

There are not many options for specialists in state. Given the suspicion that I have endometriosis in my bowels, that list shrinks. I've been suggested to seek out of state specialists by the RE and others, and am pretty confident I know which one I will be seeking care with. The specialist I hope to see has a team of surgeons they work with, their main goal being preserving organ function and fertility and returning quality of life. I am working closely with a functional doctor now as well, who is helping me to correct nutrient and hormonal imbalances. I am confident that the work I am doing on my own to heal and become healthier will only improve my outcomes.

It's hard to estimate how much this will cost us, as surgery costs are often unknown prior to the actual surgery due in part to the challenges in diagnostic imaging. I'll be needing to travel out of state twice, once for the consultation and again for the surgery. Depending on the severity of what's found, I will either need to stay overnight or several nights at the hospital, or I will have to stay locally for about a week for recovery. Any funds raised will go towards treatment costs, travel costs, or fertility treatment thereafter.

Thank you all for reading. An extra big thank you to those who have been there to let me cry on their shoulder, listened to me vent, and offered your love to me when I feel most unlovable. Please be thinking of Logan during this time too, I could not have gotten through this year without him and I know it weighs heavy on him too.