Support our Journey of Endometriosis Treatment

Hello, my name is Rachelle and I have stage 4 (severe) Endometriosis. My darling husband Nick and I got married 6 years ago and started trying to have a family about 5 years ago. It took us a couple of years of failing to start to ask the hard questions, and even when we did, the testing was so drawn out that it felt like we wasted another year. I was finally sent to the fertility specialists at the University of Iowa where I was told I had probable stage 3 Endometriosis, due to an Endometrioma on my right ovary and that both my fallopian tubes were blocked. The only course of treatment recommended to us was to remove my fallopian tubes and do IVF. I wasn't sold that this was my only option, and I very much want to have a natural pregnancy. So I did further research to find the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, NE where they specialize in preserving fertility while treating (cutting out) Endometriosis.

Nick and I just returned home from Omaha (Jan. 27th) where I had my first exploratory surgery with a better understanding of where my journey is taking us next. Dr. Keefe found endometriosis growing on my ovaries, fallopian tubes, abdominal wall, small intestine and quite a lot of scar tissue attaching things that don't belong. My next surgery will be a doozy, with the surgeon planning for a 12-hour surgery. The techniques used by this specially-trained surgeon are meticulous, they don't just cut out the disease they also repair the organs in such a way as to prevent further scarring and allow for pregnancy to occur naturally. That is the great news, however, the issue is insurance companies do not cover that level of special attention to detail (and thus the vastly improved outcomes) so we have to.

The money raised will go directly to paying all medical bills as well as expenses for traveling and staying in Omaha during my next 2 surgeries. These surgeries, while terrifying are also an answer to my prayers. I thank God for leading me on this path and letting me meet the special people who provide the care and expertise to heal my complex case and give Nick and myself the chance at having children of our own.