The Doctor That Changed My Life...Help Me Fight!

The Doctor That Changed My Life...The System That Allows It!

The horrifying ordeal began in September 2017 when I went for my annual GYN visit. Little did I know that this routine appointment would mark the beginning of a life-altering nightmare. During the visit, my GYN informed me that my uterus was enlarged and that I had multiple fibroids causing me discomfort. Trusting my GYN, I listened intently as she explained that she couldn't perform the recommended surgery herself, as she was a Nurse Practitioner. And so, my journey took an unexpected turn as I sought out a GYN surgeon who would forever change my life.

In November and December of 2017, I underwent an initial examination with the GYN surgeon, who confirmed the Nurse Practitioner's diagnosis. Before considering a hysterectomy, the surgeon suggested a less invasive procedure called Ablation w/Myomectomy. Hoping for relief, I agreed to this option. However, as I monitored my recovery from January 2018 to October 2018, it became clear that the procedure hadn't resolved my issues.

Frustrated and desperate for a solution, I returned to both the Nurse Practitioner and scheduled an appointment with the GYN surgeon once again. It was during this visit that I made the difficult decision to undergo a full hysterectomy, viewing it as my final chance for relief.

November 6th, 2018, was the day of the surgery. I arrived prepared and was assured that the procedure would only take a few hours, with the added comfort of it being an outpatient procedure. Around 2:00pm, the surgery began, and my memories of that day are hazy. I recall waking up around 8:00pm, writhing in significant pain on my left flank area. The medical staff informed me that it was due to CO2 gas from the surgery and that I would now be an inpatient, monitored overnight.

A week later, still suffering in excruciating pain and armed with instructions to take gas x, I returned to the doctor for my post-checkup. Little did I know that this checkup would take a terrifying turn. It led me straight to the emergency room, where I underwent three additional surgeries to repair the damage that had been done. It turned out that my kidney had been disconnected from my bladder, a result of the surgeon's negligence during the initial procedure.

Physically and mentally scarred, I find myself locked in a battle against a system that provides subpar care to women like me. It has been over five years of litigation, and it seems that the defense team is intentionally trying to financially break me. In order to proceed with the trial, I must gather funds to pay my expert witness, who requires $20,000 up front. The trial is tentatively set for June 12th, 2024. I humbly ask for any support I can get in this fight against a system that allows such mistreatment.

It is disheartening to realize that doctors often refrain from speaking out against their colleagues. This nightmare, particularly amplified for black women, is a testament to the fact that our pain is minimized and our resilience is taken for granted. We are made to feel undeserving of help unless we are on the verge of death, and even then, our voices are often silenced.

But I refuse to succumb to their tactics. Even after five long years, I continue to fight. They may have a goal to financially break me and make me stop, but I cannot stop fighting. This battle is bigger than just me. It is a fight for every woman who lies under the knife of a careless physician, a fight for justice and accountability.

Hysterectomy Gone Wrong!