Tangina Needs Emergency Surgery, Please Help!

Hey y’all,

Our sweet Pisces baby is going to have emergency surgery for stage 4 Endometriosis. Her surgery is already scheduled Feb 26th and we just learned that her surgery is not going to be covered by insurance which means she will need to pay several fees completely out of pocket. As we all know it can be hard to ask for help, but we all deserve to feel well in our bodies.

Please help Tangina meet her goal so that she can get this surgery, and have the room to rest and recover afterward. Read more about her medical journey below, in her own words. <3

Hi loves. My name is Tangina Stone. I am a black, queer, grandaughter, friend, sister, daughter, artist, auntie, writer, performer, friend, and human who is currently navigating a serious health emergency.

I have been suffering with chronic pain and illness since I was a child and up until very recently, no doctor has believed my symptoms enough to investigate further. Two weeks ago which marked about 16 years since my appendix ruptured in an ER after being confused for cramps because my periods were horrific, I was diagnosed with Endometriosis. I have suffered with two ruptured endometriomas in the last year. I have had countless cysts and debilitating periods as long as I have had one. I have a strong family history of endometrial, breast, and ovarian cancer and this surgery will also be an opportunity to take biopsies and assess my needs around genetic counseling in one sweep. I have been told that I IBS for all of these years, and it has actually been Endo all along. 

It feels important to note during black history month that ONLY 5% of people diagnosed with Endo are black. Not because we do not have Endo, but because we are very often not believed, or are not given access to tests, resources or the care that we need to get a diagnosis. It has taken such a long time to get this diagnosis and to find doctors who could develop a care plan for me that makes the future feel hopeful. 

I have been advocating for my health and seeing GI specialists, multiple OBGYN's and exhausting my resources as long as I have been an adult- to get answers but to no avail until recently.

I wake up each day at a level six in pain and throughout the day reach a 10-12. My physical health and chronic pain is severely impacting my mental health and making it increasingly hard to be present for my own life.

Your support will help me to afford this life changing surgery so that I can finally live without this chronic pain and to be safe as my doctor has expressed that some of my symptoms can be life threatening if left untreated for much longer. Your help will also help me take the time that I need to rest and recover post surgery.

I am having surgery right before my birthday which is in March and also happens to be Endometriosis Awareness month. It is my hope to get this surgery, and to begin a new year of life with everything that I need to heal and thrive.

Thank you sooooo much.

All my love,

-T