Help Angela Get Through Surgery

    On September 29th, 2015, I felt a pain in my body that I never experienced before. I will never forget that day. Shortly after the discomfort started, this pain morphed into excruciating pain, which then lead to pure agony inside my body. Our first thought was to go to the ER to see what was wrong. After tests and scans, the hospital found nothing and sent me home writing it off as a stomach bug and told me to rest. Little did we know it was the beginning to what feels like a never ending journey.

    The pain persisted day in and day out, not giving me a single break. I was bounced around from doctor to doctor. No one could give me any answers. 

    After months and months of zero relief, I finally had enough and decided to take matters into my own hands and research my symptoms continuously. One day, I came across the word Endometriosis. After reading the symptoms, I knew what was wrong with me. I went to my doctor at the time and asked for surgery. 

    I came out of surgery crying thinking my pain was over. When the doctor told me about the surgery, she said she found Endometriosis, but didn’t remove it. I was crushed. 

     While healing from surgery, I looked everywhere for a doctor who would remove the disease. I found another surgeon and had a second surgery. This time, Endometriosis was removed. 

    I had about two months of feeling good. Life was slowly starting to get back on track until one day, the pain hit me again. If you ever want to know what a soul crushing experience is, this definitely hits the nail on the head. I was devastated. I went on and had two more surgeries believing each one would bring relief from this debilitating pain.

    Time has passed and passed and the pain has completely taken over my life. It’s taken my ability to work and do normal daily things. I had to quit my job and spend my days in bed feeling completely helpless. Some days are harder than the others, but every day is hard. 

     After years of constant pain and sickness, I still am not better. I am in the same position as I was when this all started. So here I am today, in excruciating pain, not understanding how this could even be possible. I have never felt so low in my 26 years of existence. 

    Three years ago, I was a happy, bubbly, vibrant 23 year old who was ready to take on the world. Today, I am a pained, dulled, worn out 26 year old who is losing so much hope for having a pain free life. I don't even think desperate can describe how badly I want to feel normal again. To not be in pain. To be able to live my life. I'm scared I'm going to die never knowing what it feels like to feel well again. 
   
    There is a place in Atlanta, Georgia called The Center for Endometriosis Care and it's one of the top places in the country that treat Endometriosis. My boyfriend and I are taking a leap of faith and are traveling East from Arizona in hopes that the doctors there can put an end to this unbearable pain. We are willing to do whatever it takes to get my life back. Unfortunately, Endometriosis quickly becomes an expensive disease to treat. Endometriosis Specialists are not contracted with insurance companies making it difficult to afford, especially when only one person in your relationship can work. My life means so much more to me than any dollar amount. I don’t want to lose anymore time out of my life. Whatever amount, no matter how big or small could be a step in saving my life. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Every 1 in 10 women has Endometriosis