Help Nichole Rae Beat Cancer
Donation protected
My name is Nichole Rae. In February of 2020 I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer.
Only a few weeks later, I underwent a total hysterectomy. The surgery was not as cut and dry as expected; however, according to my surgeon, I don’t need chemo or radiation right now, but instead I’ll be monitored closely over the next 2 years. I've been advised to do everything naturally within my power to boost my immune system to help fight against a recurrence or to kill any cells that may have survived. These treatments can be costly but can also save lives.
In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, I have lost more than two-thirds of my income just as I’ve become swamped with medical bills and am in immediate need of much preventative care.
The good news is the cancer was caught early — but only because I trusted my intuition and my body and pushed back against advice that things were fine when I knew they weren’t.
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The Backstory
Back in summer 2019 I was out on a bike ride when I suddenly felt very short of breath and extremely fatigued. I went straight home to rest, but over the coming days the shortness of breath and extreme fatigue persisted.
On that same day I’d also started my menstrual cycle five days early, so the first person I contacted was my OBGYN. She’d always listened carefully to me and ensured I felt heard. An ultrasound revealed that a small polyp had formed inside my uterus. After an unsuccessful biopsy, the next step would be to go into the operating room for a Dilation and Curettage (DNC); however, she did not insist on this at this time because I was technically not in the less than 1% as a "high-risk" for cancer.
Still, things didn’t improve. I had trouble breathing and I didn’t feel like myself.
I saw two different primary care providers, a cardiologist, a nurse practitioner, a naturopath and even went to urgent care at one point. The primary care providers diagnosed me with anxiety, while my nurse practitioner and naturopath diagnosed me with peri-menopause. I was given hormone replacement therapy, adrenal supplements and anti-anxiety meds to help bring my body into balance. The diagnoses were accurate, all my other labs were normal, but it still felt like there was something else going on so I continued to press.
My primary care provider insisted it was anxiety and that I should work on calming techniques and was given more meds. Meanwhile, my nurse practitioner and naturopath still agreed I was in an acute state of adrenal exhaustion caused by peri-menopause and encouraged me to rest more.
In early January I still didn’t feel right, and so despite the experience and advice of my practitioners, and even my family and friends I followed my intuition.
I contacted my OBGYN again. This time the ultrasound showed a substantial thickening of the uterine lining, so, even though I still technically wasn’t high-risk, we proceeded with the DNC.
On February 25th the DNC pathology came back positive — I had endometrial cancer.
A few weeks later I had the total hysterectomy, and around the same time two-thirds of my income disappeared in the wake of the pandemic. My $7000 deductible was met months ago, I expect bills outside of this for labs, etc..., and preventative care will easily reach into the high thousands as none of it is covered by insurance and is costly. Any money left over will be used to meet my 2021 deductible which will be met in the first quarter with my follow up care.
That’s why I am here to ask for your financial help.
****
Paying it Forward
I now appreciate how vitally important it is for women to trust their bodies, and to recognize the early warning signs of hormonal changes.
Since beginning this journey, I’ve come across countless stories of women who, like me, were brushed off, or told they were just imagining things, or had their symptoms ignored, and — for some of them — this cost them their lives.
My goal — and what is now a new, central part of my life — is to pay forward your gift by sharing my own experience, research and resources, and to try to reach as many women as possible.
We need to trust our own bodies and voices; we need to advocate for ourselves; and we need to NOT stop searching until someone actually hears us.
In gratitude,
Nichole
You can read more about me here https://nicholeraecoaching.com/about/
Only a few weeks later, I underwent a total hysterectomy. The surgery was not as cut and dry as expected; however, according to my surgeon, I don’t need chemo or radiation right now, but instead I’ll be monitored closely over the next 2 years. I've been advised to do everything naturally within my power to boost my immune system to help fight against a recurrence or to kill any cells that may have survived. These treatments can be costly but can also save lives.
In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, I have lost more than two-thirds of my income just as I’ve become swamped with medical bills and am in immediate need of much preventative care.
The good news is the cancer was caught early — but only because I trusted my intuition and my body and pushed back against advice that things were fine when I knew they weren’t.
****
The Backstory
Back in summer 2019 I was out on a bike ride when I suddenly felt very short of breath and extremely fatigued. I went straight home to rest, but over the coming days the shortness of breath and extreme fatigue persisted.
On that same day I’d also started my menstrual cycle five days early, so the first person I contacted was my OBGYN. She’d always listened carefully to me and ensured I felt heard. An ultrasound revealed that a small polyp had formed inside my uterus. After an unsuccessful biopsy, the next step would be to go into the operating room for a Dilation and Curettage (DNC); however, she did not insist on this at this time because I was technically not in the less than 1% as a "high-risk" for cancer.
Still, things didn’t improve. I had trouble breathing and I didn’t feel like myself.
I saw two different primary care providers, a cardiologist, a nurse practitioner, a naturopath and even went to urgent care at one point. The primary care providers diagnosed me with anxiety, while my nurse practitioner and naturopath diagnosed me with peri-menopause. I was given hormone replacement therapy, adrenal supplements and anti-anxiety meds to help bring my body into balance. The diagnoses were accurate, all my other labs were normal, but it still felt like there was something else going on so I continued to press.
My primary care provider insisted it was anxiety and that I should work on calming techniques and was given more meds. Meanwhile, my nurse practitioner and naturopath still agreed I was in an acute state of adrenal exhaustion caused by peri-menopause and encouraged me to rest more.
In early January I still didn’t feel right, and so despite the experience and advice of my practitioners, and even my family and friends I followed my intuition.
I contacted my OBGYN again. This time the ultrasound showed a substantial thickening of the uterine lining, so, even though I still technically wasn’t high-risk, we proceeded with the DNC.
On February 25th the DNC pathology came back positive — I had endometrial cancer.
A few weeks later I had the total hysterectomy, and around the same time two-thirds of my income disappeared in the wake of the pandemic. My $7000 deductible was met months ago, I expect bills outside of this for labs, etc..., and preventative care will easily reach into the high thousands as none of it is covered by insurance and is costly. Any money left over will be used to meet my 2021 deductible which will be met in the first quarter with my follow up care.
That’s why I am here to ask for your financial help.
****
Paying it Forward
I now appreciate how vitally important it is for women to trust their bodies, and to recognize the early warning signs of hormonal changes.
Since beginning this journey, I’ve come across countless stories of women who, like me, were brushed off, or told they were just imagining things, or had their symptoms ignored, and — for some of them — this cost them their lives.
My goal — and what is now a new, central part of my life — is to pay forward your gift by sharing my own experience, research and resources, and to try to reach as many women as possible.
We need to trust our own bodies and voices; we need to advocate for ourselves; and we need to NOT stop searching until someone actually hears us.
In gratitude,
Nichole
You can read more about me here https://nicholeraecoaching.com/about/
Organizer
Nichole Rae
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO