Hello, my name is Crystal. I’m 24 years old, married, and currently working toward my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. On top of my educational pursuits, I’m facing one of the biggest battles of my life.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and appendix cancer this summer. I have recently come through cancer remission after a major four-part abdominal surgery in June. Unfortunately, my journey is far from over. Endometriosis has caused widespread complications, and I already have new growths developing. This disease is affecting a lot of major organs and may have contributed to my cancer growth. I will need additional surgeries, including referrals/surgeries to the Mayo Clinic for highly specialized care.

On top of this, I’m navigating the painful and exhausting world of fertility treatment. After multiple IUIs, I am preparing for an IVF egg retrieval in December. I have two more IUIs before December, but I do not have high hopes for the next couple of months. Depending on the outcome, I may need to undergo a second IVF retrieval to preserve my chance at building a large family before future surgeries make that more challenging. My husband, Thomas, and I have always dreamed of having a larger family (more than three children).

Each step of this process is overwhelming—physically, emotionally, and financially. I must travel out of state for many of my procedures, which adds even more costs on top of medical bills, fertility treatments, and recovery expenses. In December, I will need to stay in Billings for a week to prep for surgery, while I have ultrasounds and bloodwork daily leading up to it.

I’ve always been someone who worked hard to support others, but now I need to ask for help myself. Any contribution—whether financial support, sharing this page, or sending encouragement—means the world to me. Every donation will go directly toward surgery and recovery costs, fertility treatments (IUIs, IVF, and possible future retrievals), travel and lodging for out-of-state procedures, ongoing medical care for stage 4 endometriosis, and continuous oncology checkups and scans while I am in cancer remission.

Thank you for reading my story and for supporting me during this challenging time. With your help, I can focus on healing, pursuing my degree, and keeping hope alive for a future where I can both continue my work in psychology and build the family I dream of.

With gratitude,

Crystal