Surgery to get my life back

Hi, my name is Jemma. Im nearly 23 years old, here’s my story. I’ve had severe issues with my reproductive system since the age of 13 mainly my (ovaries) at 13 a large ovarian tumour was discovered I was then told by specialists doctors that it looked malignant -(cancer) and I had to freeze my eggs immediately as you can imagine being a 13 year old child I was terrified hearing those words… I was confused and angry at my body for letting me down, and just by luck after multiple tests and procedures it wasn’t cancer and the tumour was benign, as the years went on I was still absolutely petrified the tumour would return and in future it would be cancer after being told there’s a 50/50chance it would return. Since then I’ve had so many hospital admissions, scans, tests etc I’ve lost count.

At the age of 21 a 2nd ovarian mass was discovered, i felt sick to my stomach walking out from the hospital what if its cancer this time… I was thobbed off by multiple doctors, gynaecologists etc for 10 months, I was begging them to take it out and they refused and told me it’s nothing to worry about. I was miserable I was vomiting everyday, I was bed bound with excruciating pain never out of a&e and at stages I had thoughts of taking my own life because i couldn’t continue living like this anymore and not one professional was listening to me. At the end of month 10 I was rushed to hospital to then be told my ovary is potentially dying and I needed emergency surgery right away, the mass had cut off the blood supply to my ovary and fallopian tube. If someone had just listened to me right? All this could have been prevented, by the end of it all I was pleading with the surgeon to remove both ovaries during surgery to stop this from happening ever again and to prevent more tumours forming in future and with the risk of continuous complications and cancer. I was simply told no because “I’m too young” but I was also given a consent form to sign before being taken to theatre that they might need to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes anyway.

I’m almost 23 years old that’s a whole decade of suffering in pain, multiple cancer scares, surgeries, medications, birth control, scans, hospital admissions the list goes on… I’m currently awaiting an emergency scan because there is potential of a 3rd mass at the moment, again it’s the fear of the unknown “is it going to be cancer”. I’ve made peace with not having children if my ovaries were removed, it’s the lesser of 2 evils I have no quality of life, I’ve been forced to withdraw from education and work. I’m being dopped up with painkillers and all sorts of medication and sent on my way, what kind of life is this for a woman in there early 20s. Bed bound, in chronic pain, constant hospital admissions and this is how my life will continue if something doesn’t change. I now feel this is my only option left to improve my quality of life and my future.

After speaking with family and friends the decision has been made to try and go private as the nhs are refusing because “I’m a young woman under the age of 30 who hasn’t had kids yet…” its not ideal and i understand that for others this would be a difficult and life changing decision to make but this is my life, just because they are “health care professionals” does not mean they can dictate what happens with my life, their not the ones having to endure living through it... though I am very appreciative of the nhs and understand how high demanding it may be, I can’t fault any of the nurses/nursing staff that have dealt with me through my experiences they have been very empathetic and supportive. Though As I am hoping to go private The type of operation is called ( bilateral salpingo- oophorectomy) both ovary-fallopian tube removal, cost around £7,500 which includes all consultations appointments, pre op, after care etc. I have been out of work for years due to my current health issues and solely rely on benefits, there for money is a huge struggle hence why I’ve made a go fund me. All I want is to be able to live like normal 23 year old should.

Any shares, Donations would be greatly appreciated

Thank you so much for reading my story Jemma x