Sams Surgery: Beating Endometriosis
Doação protegida
Hey everyone! My name is Alyssa and I need your help! My best friend Sam is about to go on a health journey that is going to be financially, emotionally, and physically taxing. I finally convinced her to let me set up a Go Fund Me to help aid in some of the financial stress and get this surgery that is literally going to change her life. I can’t thank you enough to the people who will help spread the word, donate or just be here for Sam as she takes this disease head on. This fight can’t be done without you all and we are both so grateful for your support and donations!
Here is a little note from Sam to explain what has been going on and how great this opportunity is for her!
Hi all you Handsome Animals! It’s Sam here --- for those of you who know me, and for those of you who don’t, thank you so much for taking the time to click on the link. I want to address in a letter of sorts what this GoFundMe is all about.
For the last 16 years of my life, I have been dealing with extreme pain and exhaustion, mostly surrounding my menstrual cycle. This extreme pain has caused me to miss school and work, has been so bad that I have spiked fevers, become very bloated, and have often thrown up and passed out from the pain. And, for the last 16 years, I was told by doctor after doctor that I “just” have painful periods, that my pain is in my head, I just have a low pain tolerance, and that I am just being dramatic when talking about my symptoms.
Finally, last month, I was able to convince my PCP that something isn’t right, and my symptoms are not normal. She referred me to a GYN, and I found a specialist who sat me down, ran some tests, and agreed to treat my case. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis, stage 4.
For those of you who have never heard of the term Endometriosis, let me stop here to define it. In a healthy reproductive system, the uterus lining grows inside the uterus each month so that a fertilized egg may implant there. When a fertilized egg doesn’t implant, the lining of the uterus sheds, and that’s what we call a period. Endometriosis is a chronic illness in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus grow on the outside of the uterus. These cells can attach to the reproductive system, can cause adhesions, gluing the organs in the pelvis together, and can attach to other organs in the pelvic and thoracic cavity, damaging those organs and their functions. Endometriosis causes extreme and chronic pain, can cause infertility and, in some cases, organ failure.
I was able to get an appointment with an Endometriosis specialist, had multiple ultrasounds, blood tests, had a biopsy done, and had a consult appointment with him, during which he confirmed that I have endometriosis, most likely in stage 4. After reviewing all of my symptoms and the lab results, he decided that I will need Laparoscopic Excision Surgery and a Hysteroscopy, planned for this December.
During this consult, he discussed with me what that surgery would look like in my specific case. The plan is as follows: the surgeon will remove all adhesions gluing my organs together; he will cut out the endometriosis cells that are attached to all organs in my pelvic and thoracic cavities. He will remove the endometriomas (blood-filled cysts) growing inside of my ovaries (killing my ovaries). He will remove my appendix, part of my intestines, and my right ovary, as he believes they are too diseased to be left inside of my body. He will test my uterus for another chronic illness called adenomyosis.
In short, this surgery will allow me to live a normal, pain-free life for the first time in 16 years, will potentially save my fertility, and will bring me more energy so that I may spend more time with all of you!
I have zero panic when it comes to having the surgery. To be told that I may live pain-free is incredible. The only worry for me currently is the potential surgical bill -- right now, it sits just under $10,000. This includes pre-op and post-op appointments, one MRI, and the actual surgery. That $10,000 doesn’t include more lab tests or hospital stay/booking the OR, or anesthesia, which (I’m hoping) will be covered by insurance.
This is where you all come in. I am not often the person who asks for help, so bear with me as I type this out. I need your help to pay for this surgery. Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated -- I know that it is the holiday season, and many bills are heading your way, but if you can find it in your heart to donate a little something, I will be forever grateful.
If you have any questions, kind words, or just want to chat, my door is always open. If you want to learn more about Endometriosis, check out @endogram on Instagram to start, and I can suggest more from there.
I love you all more than I can express. I am so grateful for your magic. Have an incredible week.
Love you love you love you!
Here is a little note from Sam to explain what has been going on and how great this opportunity is for her!
Hi all you Handsome Animals! It’s Sam here --- for those of you who know me, and for those of you who don’t, thank you so much for taking the time to click on the link. I want to address in a letter of sorts what this GoFundMe is all about.
For the last 16 years of my life, I have been dealing with extreme pain and exhaustion, mostly surrounding my menstrual cycle. This extreme pain has caused me to miss school and work, has been so bad that I have spiked fevers, become very bloated, and have often thrown up and passed out from the pain. And, for the last 16 years, I was told by doctor after doctor that I “just” have painful periods, that my pain is in my head, I just have a low pain tolerance, and that I am just being dramatic when talking about my symptoms.
Finally, last month, I was able to convince my PCP that something isn’t right, and my symptoms are not normal. She referred me to a GYN, and I found a specialist who sat me down, ran some tests, and agreed to treat my case. I was diagnosed with Endometriosis, stage 4.
For those of you who have never heard of the term Endometriosis, let me stop here to define it. In a healthy reproductive system, the uterus lining grows inside the uterus each month so that a fertilized egg may implant there. When a fertilized egg doesn’t implant, the lining of the uterus sheds, and that’s what we call a period. Endometriosis is a chronic illness in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus grow on the outside of the uterus. These cells can attach to the reproductive system, can cause adhesions, gluing the organs in the pelvis together, and can attach to other organs in the pelvic and thoracic cavity, damaging those organs and their functions. Endometriosis causes extreme and chronic pain, can cause infertility and, in some cases, organ failure.
I was able to get an appointment with an Endometriosis specialist, had multiple ultrasounds, blood tests, had a biopsy done, and had a consult appointment with him, during which he confirmed that I have endometriosis, most likely in stage 4. After reviewing all of my symptoms and the lab results, he decided that I will need Laparoscopic Excision Surgery and a Hysteroscopy, planned for this December.
During this consult, he discussed with me what that surgery would look like in my specific case. The plan is as follows: the surgeon will remove all adhesions gluing my organs together; he will cut out the endometriosis cells that are attached to all organs in my pelvic and thoracic cavities. He will remove the endometriomas (blood-filled cysts) growing inside of my ovaries (killing my ovaries). He will remove my appendix, part of my intestines, and my right ovary, as he believes they are too diseased to be left inside of my body. He will test my uterus for another chronic illness called adenomyosis.
In short, this surgery will allow me to live a normal, pain-free life for the first time in 16 years, will potentially save my fertility, and will bring me more energy so that I may spend more time with all of you!
I have zero panic when it comes to having the surgery. To be told that I may live pain-free is incredible. The only worry for me currently is the potential surgical bill -- right now, it sits just under $10,000. This includes pre-op and post-op appointments, one MRI, and the actual surgery. That $10,000 doesn’t include more lab tests or hospital stay/booking the OR, or anesthesia, which (I’m hoping) will be covered by insurance.
This is where you all come in. I am not often the person who asks for help, so bear with me as I type this out. I need your help to pay for this surgery. Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated -- I know that it is the holiday season, and many bills are heading your way, but if you can find it in your heart to donate a little something, I will be forever grateful.
If you have any questions, kind words, or just want to chat, my door is always open. If you want to learn more about Endometriosis, check out @endogram on Instagram to start, and I can suggest more from there.
I love you all more than I can express. I am so grateful for your magic. Have an incredible week.
Love you love you love you!
Organizador e beneficiário
Alyssa Poirier
Organizadora
Portland, ME
Sl Dedian
Beneficiário
