Summer Hawk Medical Emergency Fund
Donation protected
Endometriosis affects nearly one in ten women. It is often misdiagnosed and manifests in a number of ways including infertility, depression, and extreme pain that can go unexplained for years. Studies have shown that uncontrollable physical pain is a major factor in up to 70% of suicides. This is why women living with endometriosis have a much higher than average suicide rate. I've experienced this firsthand in my 20+ year struggle with the illness - infertility, extreme and inexplicable pain, even thoughts of a “permanent solution.” I've spent days in bed with pain so extreme I could barely move and through the years I've had close to a dozen major surgeries, but I've always managed to get through – moving forward and chasing my dreams.
Six weeks ago I began having severe abdominal pain. Days passed where I've been unable to function, missing time at work and obligations with school. Some days I've felt literally debilitated, entirely unable to go about my normal routine. For the first several weeks I thought this was due to a flare up of my endo, but after several doctor visits I was diagnosed with a fibroid mass in my uterus. It’s the size of a baseball and still growing. Given my history with level four endometriosis resulting in an increased chance developing cancer, my surgeon has determined I will need a full hysterectomy.
Presently I'm a Viticulture and Enology student, working close to full time in the subject industry. This fall, I’ll be heading into my last semester at Yavapai College. I’m one of only four team members working the Cottonwood tasting room for a small, family owned operation. Neither my employment nor my education offer any kind of sick time for me to undergo this operation.
My surgery date is set July 31st, 2019. The doctors anticipate a recovery time of four to six weeks. While I’m fortunate enough to have insurance to help with the cost of the operation, I will need to pay the entirety of my deductible up front and I’ll cease to have any income to pay my day to day living expenses.
In addition to taking care of the invasive fibroid, this major surgery, terrifying as it is, will reduce the amount of endometriosis pain with which I have lived for the last 20 years, will reduce my risk of developing cancer, and will improve my overall health. It’s as though I’ve been living in a perpetual thunderstorm of pain and the downpour has finally begun to taper off. Soon I’ll once again be able to feel the warmth of life without constant pain.
In this effort to avoid financial ruin and the extra stress of trying to return to work prematurely, I am asking for financial assistance to cover my insurance deductible and to help with my bills while I am unable to work. The deductible is $1,850 and the average of my critical monthly expenses (car payment, insurance premium, rent, and cellular) totals $1,700.
With your generosity you’ll be enabling me to focus on my recovery and to continue developing my career in the industry I love.
Six weeks ago I began having severe abdominal pain. Days passed where I've been unable to function, missing time at work and obligations with school. Some days I've felt literally debilitated, entirely unable to go about my normal routine. For the first several weeks I thought this was due to a flare up of my endo, but after several doctor visits I was diagnosed with a fibroid mass in my uterus. It’s the size of a baseball and still growing. Given my history with level four endometriosis resulting in an increased chance developing cancer, my surgeon has determined I will need a full hysterectomy.
Presently I'm a Viticulture and Enology student, working close to full time in the subject industry. This fall, I’ll be heading into my last semester at Yavapai College. I’m one of only four team members working the Cottonwood tasting room for a small, family owned operation. Neither my employment nor my education offer any kind of sick time for me to undergo this operation.
My surgery date is set July 31st, 2019. The doctors anticipate a recovery time of four to six weeks. While I’m fortunate enough to have insurance to help with the cost of the operation, I will need to pay the entirety of my deductible up front and I’ll cease to have any income to pay my day to day living expenses.
In addition to taking care of the invasive fibroid, this major surgery, terrifying as it is, will reduce the amount of endometriosis pain with which I have lived for the last 20 years, will reduce my risk of developing cancer, and will improve my overall health. It’s as though I’ve been living in a perpetual thunderstorm of pain and the downpour has finally begun to taper off. Soon I’ll once again be able to feel the warmth of life without constant pain.
In this effort to avoid financial ruin and the extra stress of trying to return to work prematurely, I am asking for financial assistance to cover my insurance deductible and to help with my bills while I am unable to work. The deductible is $1,850 and the average of my critical monthly expenses (car payment, insurance premium, rent, and cellular) totals $1,700.
With your generosity you’ll be enabling me to focus on my recovery and to continue developing my career in the industry I love.
Organizer
Summer Hawk
Organizer
Rimrock, AZ