Help Fund Elisa’s Urgent Surgery & Recovery

I bet you’re wondering how I got here? This is how a lot of movies begin, right? Well, I’m Elisa, 36, with a frozen uterus due to deep infiltrating Endometriosis.

If I leave the definition of Endometriosis to the internet, it’s “a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.” However, it is so much more than that.

Endometriosis is a full body disease. I have severely painful and immobilizing cramps during my cycle which happens every 28-30 days and lasts for 10-14 of those days. It affects my digestion, my hormones, whether or not I ovulate. It hinders my ability to work, severely limits my quality of life, and affects my mental and physical health. It’s 2am bathroom cry sessions, constant brain fog, anxiety at the onset of every period, numerous canceled plans, and that’s the short list.

In January 2025 I was admitted to the hospital for three days after the ER doctor found an 8cm cyst on my left ovary. It turned out that I had a uterine infection potentially caused by a recent procedure to check the condition of my fallopian tubes [hysterosalpingogram]. Afterwards, I spent a dreadful 2 weeks on antibiotics, zero appetite, disoriented, extremely fatigued and a shell of myself.

Since then, and for the past seven months, I’ve had a persistent distended stomach on top of the painful cycles, all while trying to tell my doctors that something still didn’t feel right. No one was listening. After a couple referrals from a friend and my therapist, I finally found an Endo specialist and of course she is out of network. My husband and I scheduled a consultation and from that appointment she immediately ordered an ultrasound. This ultrasound led to the tech calling the specialist on her vacation after discovering that I have multiple cysts in my abdomen and that I need surgery as soon as possible.

With this specialist being out of network, we have been exploring alternative options to have our insurance still cover the costs. They have already denied my office consultations and imaging with this new surgeon, despite not having anyone capable in-network to provide the care that I need to feel safe and comfortable enough to move forward.

I’ve been praying for a chance to regain my life and we have finally found someone we trust to do their best to give us just that.

So here we are with a little over 30 days until surgery, an out of network surgeon, and a bill that will cost more than we can afford out of pocket.

We don’t take asking for help lightly and it’s certainly not something I ever thought I’d have to do.

I need your help.

My surgery is set for the end of September.

The upfront cost alone is $10,000 and the remaining hospital bill and ongoing care will amount to even more. The overall goal is $25,000.

What will your contribution go towards?

Surgeon

Hospital fees

Personal needs (menstrual pads, etc. )

Food/groceries

Medications

Other living expenses while out of work for 4-6 weeks

No one should have to choose between their health and their ability to pay for their healthcare.

Thank you for reading my story and following along my journey. This has not been an easy road and I am grateful for the support system I have in my husband and family and friends. And I am grateful to you for any help you can provide, even if it’s just to leave kind words.

Love,

Elisa & Mensah

If you'd like to know more about my full Endo story, you can listen here or watch below.