My name is Shannon and I live with Endometriosis. Many may not know what that is exactly. I'll explain that in a second. So, a little about me if you don't already know. I'm a Mom and wife who lives in Connecticut. I am currently unemployed due to the Endo which now I will explain. It is when tissue resembling the inner lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. I unfortunately have a very severe form of endo. Some label you with a stage 1-4 to corelate the severity and how far it has spread. Some like myself are in stage 5. It's called Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis. It basically sticks to my organs and either starts invading them, or glues them to other organs. And it can grow anywhere, and continues to come back over and over. I have lived so many years with this pain. I had my 5th surgery last July, it was really bad. If we had waited much longer I would have lost even more organs than I had that day. My pain has come back so bad I'm practically bedridden, and now need the use of a cane to help me get around. I'm deteriorating more and more each day. Since my case is so difficult it is very hard finding a doctor to help. I found a world renowned Endometriosis specialist who once worked with the original Dr I was trying to see. This is going to be a very expensive battle but I have to do it or I truly believe I will die from this horrific disease. I have to be here for my daughter and my husband, we have to fight for her. I have to fight for her. We have some saved up but not nearly what we'll need. Pre surgical visit is $900 and the surgery is $12,000 but we're also going to have travel back and forth & hotel expenses. It's just so much and so very overwhelming. This is not something I have ever done, asked for money but I'm hoping and praying it works. More then anything I just want to be a Mom again. I used to be the one to take her to school and pick her up but once again endo has something else to take from me. One of my other favorite things is cooking. And in the summer literally run through the sprinklers. Every time I look in my backyard I think of that, other places too, we drive by and I'm reminded of all the things I can't do anymore because of Endo. So for now Chris is pretty much taking care of everything, whenever I thank him he says (it's my job), he's so supportive. I'm very lucky to have him. But, I just can't go through this anymore. We need help, we really need help as I really need this surgery so please if you can donate anything at all I would greatly appreciated. And to all the other Endometriosis warriors my heart goes out to you. Hopefully soon I'll be posting pics & video of my journey. of my final surgery and "cure".
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