Dear Friends, Family and Community

Our dear friend Amanda has been facing some medical challenges and could really use some help covering her medical costs. Amanda is an amazing caregiver who helped my husband through his cancer battle but has struggled with off-the-charts pain due to uncontrolled endometriosis for a good part of her life. She is a selfless human who always puts the needs of others first, and even while going through her own struggles, was there for my husband during his last months. Here is her story:

“I got diagnosed with endometriosis at 13. I had my first surgery at that time, and they found stage 4 endo all over my reproductive organs. At 14, I had to undergo another surgery. However, a couple of years later, I was again diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis. At age 19, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

I then begged for a hysterectomy to end the pain. It took a long time to find a doctor who would do that, but I finally got a physician to listen and had the full hysterectomy surgery done at age 23.

After the surgery, there were many complications which nearly cost me my life. Regardless, the endo and the never-ending pain returned. It has now spread all over my body, and this time, it is much worse, as I have a couple of tumors now on my skull from it.

I have seen specialists from California to New York and Atlanta, including Stanford, City of Hope and UCSF. They don’t know what to do with it or me. I am considered high risk, and it is very hard to find someone who understands the pain, what I’m going through mentally and physically, and who can and will help. The daily pain causes me to throw up, miss work, and have grand mal seizures. I have finally found a doctor who will try one more surgery, but he is outside of my insurance network. I have no other options. I am a single woman who only has my dog. I struggle every day due to the pain, depression, and getting someone to listen and understand what I am going through.”

Amanda has helped so many people and we just want to find a way to help her live a better life. Any help to help pay for Amanda’s surgery and living expenses is so appreciated.