Please help END my ENDOmetriosis
Donation protected
HELLO! I AM JAIME...
As a former Nurse I am someone who is used to offering help...asking for help is not something I am used to, or comfortable doing, but this is urgent, so here goes...
MY BACK STORY...
Those who already know me are aware that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis several years ago. I maintain a positive outlook, and do not let it control my life. I have managed it with avoiding stress, eating healthy, keeping an active lifestyle, and doing things outdoors (like gardening) to keep a healthy perspective. However, something a lot of you don't know about is my silent battle with endometriosis. In the past I have kept pretty quiet about it, and smiled through my pain up until about a year ago. Since then it has become increasingly more difficult to cope with. The past 6 months I have been essentially bedridden, and my quality of life has become very poor. Having just one of these diseases is bad enough on their own...having both together is an absolute nightmare, since they each fuel each other's fire.
WHY THIS MATTERS...
You are probably wondering what endometriosis is and why I need help. I won't overwhelm you with too much medical jargon, but here is a summary. Endometriosis is a disease in which endometrial-like tissue (which is normally found in the uterus) is found in other locations in the body. In my case it has spread everywhere and is infiltrating my other organs. I have actually had it for years and have gone through many treatments, including multiple hormone trials, having the tissue burned off, and even the removal of my uterus, tubes and one ovary. Sadly these treatments did not get rid of it and now it has progressed. It has spread throughout my pelvis and abdomen and has covered my bowel, bladder, diaphragm, and has even glued organs together and in locations they shouldn't be. Normal every day routines, (such as using the toilet, for example) have become excruciating; resulting in pain, bleeding, nausea and nearly passing out. The best way to describe it would be like someone carving out my insides with a knife and dragging them through a fire pit. Eventually it can eat through all the layers of my bowel, and my bowel contents could leak into my abdomen, (much like appendicitis) and be life threatening. The lesions on my bladder can spread and block ureters or infiltrate the kidneys; leading to kidney failure. The endo on my diaphragm can lead to holes, bleeding, collapsed lungs, etc. I have been rushed to the emergency room several times with chest, rib and scapula pain thought to be cardiac in nature that was later determined to be endo.
WHAT WILL HELP...
My condition is severe and in order to remove it safely and effectively, I need a specific board-certified, fellowship-trained endometriosis surgeon. These surgeons are meticulous and thorough, cutting out the disease with good margins so that it will not return. Unfortunately, they are few and far between and therefore generally not covered by insurance. I am lucky to have found one who is able to deal with my complex case, but I need help with the costs involved. My insurance will cover my hospital stay, anesthesia and any other health care professionals involved in my care, but the surgeon is not covered. This is a tremendous hardship for me as I am already disabled from the MS. I need to come up with this portion before I can even schedule my surgery. This is extremely urgent, not only because of the amount of pain I am dealing with, but because of how the endometriosis is progressing. This is not only affecting me, but my husband, children, family and friends as well. They feel powerless watching me struggle; knowing I am no longer able to do all the things that brought me joy. Anything you can do to help will mean so much. Any help will not go unnoticed...I will personally thank each and every one of you with a handwritten note and a bit of artwork or knitting, which I can do from my bed as I am able. Once I am able to have my surgery and recover from it, I will be post updates on my progess and let you all know just how much your support has helped me and my family. I look forward to the day I am able to do things again with my children and get back into the garden! Thank you for taking the time to read this and please feel free to share!
HOW FUNDS WILL BE USED...
I feel it is important for those who contribute to know exactly how the money will be used. I have included a breakdown of the surgery and it's associated costs. I would like to point out that my husband and I are not asking for the whole amount. We have spent over $1000 for the initial trip, consult and records review with the surgeon who spent 3 hours going over everything with us. We did not have cash available, so we actually maxed out our credit and are still paying this, along with interest. If more money is raised than asked, donations will be made to spread endometriosis awareness and towards research. I will include related links below if you would like to learn more.
Laprascopic Endometriosis Surgery
Pre-Operative visit: $185.00
Excision of Endometriosis: $2,000.00
Lysis of adhesions: $1,650.00
Ovarian suspension: $1,625.00
Remove cervix/repair vaginal apex: $2,225.00
Appendectomy $1,000.00
*Run the bowel
*Leak test
*Diaphragm
______________________________________________________________________________
Surgical Total $8,685.00
*Bowel, bladder & diaphragm repair will be performed with additional surgeons specializing in those areas and their charges are separate and will be submitted to insurance
*The leak test is a safeguard and performed at no additional charge.
*Any unexpected findings will be fixed at no additional charge.
Additional Charges Related to Surgery
Lodging (5 days: 1 day pre-op, 4 days post-op) $800.00 Priced through Clarion (near the hospital)
Transportation ( 6 hour trip each way, 12 total x 2: for surgery, then again for follow up) $400.00
Meals $200.00
______________________________________________________________________________
Grand Total $10,085.00
To learn more about endometriosis: www.http://www.endopaedia.info/
and http://centerforendo.com/endometriosis-understanding-a-complex-disease/
Extra contributions will be made to the Endometriosis Research Center
https://www.endocenter.org/
As a former Nurse I am someone who is used to offering help...asking for help is not something I am used to, or comfortable doing, but this is urgent, so here goes...
MY BACK STORY...
Those who already know me are aware that I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis several years ago. I maintain a positive outlook, and do not let it control my life. I have managed it with avoiding stress, eating healthy, keeping an active lifestyle, and doing things outdoors (like gardening) to keep a healthy perspective. However, something a lot of you don't know about is my silent battle with endometriosis. In the past I have kept pretty quiet about it, and smiled through my pain up until about a year ago. Since then it has become increasingly more difficult to cope with. The past 6 months I have been essentially bedridden, and my quality of life has become very poor. Having just one of these diseases is bad enough on their own...having both together is an absolute nightmare, since they each fuel each other's fire.
WHY THIS MATTERS...
You are probably wondering what endometriosis is and why I need help. I won't overwhelm you with too much medical jargon, but here is a summary. Endometriosis is a disease in which endometrial-like tissue (which is normally found in the uterus) is found in other locations in the body. In my case it has spread everywhere and is infiltrating my other organs. I have actually had it for years and have gone through many treatments, including multiple hormone trials, having the tissue burned off, and even the removal of my uterus, tubes and one ovary. Sadly these treatments did not get rid of it and now it has progressed. It has spread throughout my pelvis and abdomen and has covered my bowel, bladder, diaphragm, and has even glued organs together and in locations they shouldn't be. Normal every day routines, (such as using the toilet, for example) have become excruciating; resulting in pain, bleeding, nausea and nearly passing out. The best way to describe it would be like someone carving out my insides with a knife and dragging them through a fire pit. Eventually it can eat through all the layers of my bowel, and my bowel contents could leak into my abdomen, (much like appendicitis) and be life threatening. The lesions on my bladder can spread and block ureters or infiltrate the kidneys; leading to kidney failure. The endo on my diaphragm can lead to holes, bleeding, collapsed lungs, etc. I have been rushed to the emergency room several times with chest, rib and scapula pain thought to be cardiac in nature that was later determined to be endo.
WHAT WILL HELP...
My condition is severe and in order to remove it safely and effectively, I need a specific board-certified, fellowship-trained endometriosis surgeon. These surgeons are meticulous and thorough, cutting out the disease with good margins so that it will not return. Unfortunately, they are few and far between and therefore generally not covered by insurance. I am lucky to have found one who is able to deal with my complex case, but I need help with the costs involved. My insurance will cover my hospital stay, anesthesia and any other health care professionals involved in my care, but the surgeon is not covered. This is a tremendous hardship for me as I am already disabled from the MS. I need to come up with this portion before I can even schedule my surgery. This is extremely urgent, not only because of the amount of pain I am dealing with, but because of how the endometriosis is progressing. This is not only affecting me, but my husband, children, family and friends as well. They feel powerless watching me struggle; knowing I am no longer able to do all the things that brought me joy. Anything you can do to help will mean so much. Any help will not go unnoticed...I will personally thank each and every one of you with a handwritten note and a bit of artwork or knitting, which I can do from my bed as I am able. Once I am able to have my surgery and recover from it, I will be post updates on my progess and let you all know just how much your support has helped me and my family. I look forward to the day I am able to do things again with my children and get back into the garden! Thank you for taking the time to read this and please feel free to share!
HOW FUNDS WILL BE USED...
I feel it is important for those who contribute to know exactly how the money will be used. I have included a breakdown of the surgery and it's associated costs. I would like to point out that my husband and I are not asking for the whole amount. We have spent over $1000 for the initial trip, consult and records review with the surgeon who spent 3 hours going over everything with us. We did not have cash available, so we actually maxed out our credit and are still paying this, along with interest. If more money is raised than asked, donations will be made to spread endometriosis awareness and towards research. I will include related links below if you would like to learn more.
Laprascopic Endometriosis Surgery
Pre-Operative visit: $185.00
Excision of Endometriosis: $2,000.00
Lysis of adhesions: $1,650.00
Ovarian suspension: $1,625.00
Remove cervix/repair vaginal apex: $2,225.00
Appendectomy $1,000.00
*Run the bowel
*Leak test
*Diaphragm
______________________________________________________________________________
Surgical Total $8,685.00
*Bowel, bladder & diaphragm repair will be performed with additional surgeons specializing in those areas and their charges are separate and will be submitted to insurance
*The leak test is a safeguard and performed at no additional charge.
*Any unexpected findings will be fixed at no additional charge.
Additional Charges Related to Surgery
Lodging (5 days: 1 day pre-op, 4 days post-op) $800.00 Priced through Clarion (near the hospital)
Transportation ( 6 hour trip each way, 12 total x 2: for surgery, then again for follow up) $400.00
Meals $200.00
______________________________________________________________________________
Grand Total $10,085.00
To learn more about endometriosis: www.http://www.endopaedia.info/
and http://centerforendo.com/endometriosis-understanding-a-complex-disease/
Extra contributions will be made to the Endometriosis Research Center
https://www.endocenter.org/
Organizer
Jaime Tracy
Organizer
Caribou, ME
