Get Chelsea To Mayo For Massive Surgery

Hello everyone!

If you are new around here & unfamiliar with my medical journey for the last three and a half years here is a quick background. I have dealt with ovarian cysts issues since I was in my lower twenties. This, along with a very challenging pregnancy led us to make the decision of me having a total hysterectomy at age 34. This surgery was meant to be a complete hysterectomy- removing my ovaries, tubes, all of it. We were hoping this would solve the issue of the recurring cysts & pelvic pain. About 3 months after my surgery I began to have very severe and different pelvic & back pain. This landed me in the hospital multiple times with MANY different doctors trying to figure out what was happening with my body. It was then that we discovered a large mass in the left side of my pelvis. I did finally have a surgeon agree to try and go in to remove it. Due to its location he was only able to debulk it. I was diagnosed then with endometriosis. Since then things have just continued to go downhill. Due to my surgical history I cannot find a doctor willing to attempt to open me back up to do further treatment. I was referred to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. My wonderful doctor there ordered tests (along with LOTS of other things) and we discovered my left ovary is actually still in my body. So my left ovary is still producing estrogen which is feeding the endometriosis in turn causing the pain I live with daily & the flare ups that occur once or twice a month. The official diagnosis is Ovarian Remnant Syndrome in addition to Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis.

Just to give you insight on my daily life. On a pain scale of 1-10, I live at a 4 at all times. I honestly cannot remember what it feels like to not be in any pain at all. When the flare-ups occur it is debilitating. The majority of the time, I have to be hospitalized for days to get the pain under control with IV medications. This is time away from my son, my home, my family. I am not able to do things I enjoy like going for long walks, working out, carrying my child, cleaning my house, gardening, playing with my son. These things and more very easily trigger a flare-up. I try to live as cautiously as I can to avoid having to leave my family & enter a hospital again.

At the end of January, I attended the PRC program at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. I learned different techniques to help me better handle my symptoms. The program is a generalized approach, so we did not discuss my exact symptoms and issues directly. While at the program, I did begin to experience new symptoms and problems. I communicated with my original Mayo physician. We agreed that I needed to stay for a bit longer after my program graduation to have testing done and see her. I had an MRI done. The MRI revealed that the endometriosis is not infiltrating some of my organs, which is more than likely where the increased pain & episodes are coming from. It also explains the new, very unpleasant symptoms I started experiencing. At this point in my medical journey, we have literally tried everything we could possibly think of to alleviate the symptoms. We have finally reached the point where surgery is our only option.

On April 19, 2022 I will be having major surgery on my abdomen/pelvic area. Dr C's game plan is: take down as much scar tissue as possible, address the endometriosis adhesions, remove the left ovarian remnant, "free up" my organs that are currently plastered into my abdomen wall, perform a vaginal cuff revision, & insert botox into my pelvic floor to hopefully relax my pelvic floor muscles. This surgery is massive. It is risky. It will be the sixth time a surgeon will cut through my glorious abdomen surgical scar. My recovery is predicted to be a challenge. I trust Dr C and her team fully. We have both tried very hard to avoid going down the surgery path. But nevertheless, here we are.

We have created this second GoFundMe because we need assistance with the cost of travel, lodging & food while we are in Jacksonville. Currently, it is anticipated that we will be there for two weeks. My father will be accompanying me to assist with post-op care. We have to arrive a few days before my surgery date to have pre-op testing and labs done. On the day of my surgery Dr C has predicted I will be in the hospital for at least two days, then she will discharge me to a hotel/AirBnB. She requested we stay in the area for 3-4 days after discharge until my body can travel back to Augusta, GA. She also wants me to remain close in case any post-op concerns arise.

I want to do everything in my power to get better and be the mother, wife & person they deserve. We are very open about this and will happily answer any questions you have regarding the surgery & my medical conditions.

We keep a CaringBridge page with an online journal about my doctors visits, tests, results, etc. This is the link if you would like to read more about the journey so far.

Visit Chelsea's Site: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/missionovaryeviction

If you cannot donate, please share this link, helping with meals for my family while I am away & helping my husband with Bennett while I am away.

I am still in the process of applying for Disability. I have seen their doctors and am awaiting either an approval letter or a letter asking for more information. My new caseworker stated it would more than likely take a few more months before we know anything.

Thank you all so so much. We do have an incredible village around us. I for sure don’t know how I would have survived this last year with Taylor gone if it wasn’t for the fantastic people we have around us. Every single thing you have all done has not gone unnoticed & we greatly appreciate it. You all rallied around us and helped us achieve our first goal to get me to Mayo Clinic for the PRC Program. I will never be able to thank you all enough. I pray I will be able to make it through this surgery to spend the rest of my days helping others through situations like the ones I have faced.