Project Patty @projectpeony.comx
Donation protected
Dear Family and Friends,
Many of you may know that our dear Patty has been quietly struggling with some health issues for the last few years, but recently things have taken a turn for the worse. We are extremely heartbroken about her condition and it pains us to see her suffer so much to the point where she is severely debilitated. She is unable to work nor generate an income and on top of that, has been left with no health coverage since January due to a clerical error. Because the next enrollment period is in November 2019, Patty will not be insured until the end of this year. So we are here to raise money so that she may be able to receive the proper medical attention and treat the multiple illnesses that have taken over her life. Though it barely scratches the surface of what she’s had to endure, we are here to share her story:
Patty was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 13 years old. While awareness for this chronic illness is growing, there was and still is very little funding towards new research. She was put on birth control throughout her young adult years as many young patients are as a treatment for this. About three years ago, Patty was also diagnosed with an Unknown Autoimmune Disease and we have seen her go through her worst days. Her last few years have been spent in and out of hospitals, meeting doctor after doctor, looking to find answers or at least some relief to her relentless symptoms.
Exposure to black mold in her Brooklyn apartment triggered the Autoimmune Condition. It left her bedridden for a month and every part of her skin was deep red, burning, weeping and swollen, almost as if she was covered in 3rd degree burns. After being put on oral steroids seven times in 2017 along with topical steroids, her symptoms only worsened. Her compromised immune system and the topical steroid withdrawal caused a staph infection, and after yet another hospital visit later, the doctor advised her not to return to her apartment.
With only a handful of options left on the table, Patty’s husband, Pete, packed up their belongings while Patty waited in the hospital and they moved to LA to escape the allergens with the hopes that her condition would improve. Unfortunately, her allergies to food, dust, dander, chemicals, and now wind, the sun, and pollen have become hypersensitive and she has since been suffering with chronic inflammation on a daily basis.
On top of that, her periods bring on a bad flare up every month, which puts her in an immobilizing amount of pain and does not allow her to do anything at all. Her sensitive skin becomes stiff with dryness and the deep red, burning, weeping, and swelling begins again. After a couple of weeks of constant pain, cramping, and skin weeping, it takes another couple of weeks for her to build up the energy to achieve a manageable state, just in time for another cycle to start again.
After searching for an OBGYN doctor to treat her insufferable periods and her Endometriosis, Patty met with one of the best in Los Angeles. The doctor added PCOS to her diagnosis and explained to Patty that she should undergo the Endometriosis surgery as soon as possible. However, she was only able to have a routine Pap smear because she does not have health coverage. The Pap smear results came back indicating abnormal HPV cells. Proceeding with caution, she had another test, a Colposcopy. The Colposcopy resulted in the findings of high grade precancerous cells, which the doctor advised needed to be removed right away because if not, these abnormal cells may become cancerous and may spread to nearby normal tissue. Patty then underwent a LEEP procedure to remove the cells and to determine if they were cancerous. A deeper look at the pathology report showed the cells were found to be in fact cancerous and Patty was diagnosed with Stage 1 Cervical Cancer. The cancerous cells have supposedly been removed but as of now, that is all we know. Patty has been scheduled for a consultation with a referred oncologist and she is expected to undergo further procedures and treatments.
Both Patty and Pete’s lives have revolved around tending to her body and searching for new treatments and specialists. To date, Patty’s doctor visits have totaled tens of thousands of dollars. All of her many different medications and immunotherapy self-injections have been paid for out of pocket. The LEEP procedure to remove the high grade precancerous cells cost $2,380 and on top of that, the surgeon fee alone cost $15,000. At this point, the steep debt is no longer manageable but it looks as though her journey to fight for her health will have to continue. For many patients, diagnosis is just the beginning.
Patty is one of the most talented and creative people we have ever met, yet she has not been able to work because things have been so bad. Her body has become unpredictable and her physical symptoms and exhaustion are overwhelming to say the least. We can no longer stand to witness her suffering and the lack of care from this broken healthcare system. We have watched Patty go through too much in the last few years and it is about time something changes because this quality of life is absolutely unbearable.
We will gladly accept any contribution, whether it be a donation, leads for pro bono doctors, or any recommendations for a good specialist, and so on. Please feel free to contact [email redacted] if you have any questions, thoughts, or recommendations.
And most of all, please keep Patty in your hearts ♡♡♡
Xx,
Patty’s friends
Many of you may know that our dear Patty has been quietly struggling with some health issues for the last few years, but recently things have taken a turn for the worse. We are extremely heartbroken about her condition and it pains us to see her suffer so much to the point where she is severely debilitated. She is unable to work nor generate an income and on top of that, has been left with no health coverage since January due to a clerical error. Because the next enrollment period is in November 2019, Patty will not be insured until the end of this year. So we are here to raise money so that she may be able to receive the proper medical attention and treat the multiple illnesses that have taken over her life. Though it barely scratches the surface of what she’s had to endure, we are here to share her story:
Patty was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 13 years old. While awareness for this chronic illness is growing, there was and still is very little funding towards new research. She was put on birth control throughout her young adult years as many young patients are as a treatment for this. About three years ago, Patty was also diagnosed with an Unknown Autoimmune Disease and we have seen her go through her worst days. Her last few years have been spent in and out of hospitals, meeting doctor after doctor, looking to find answers or at least some relief to her relentless symptoms.
Exposure to black mold in her Brooklyn apartment triggered the Autoimmune Condition. It left her bedridden for a month and every part of her skin was deep red, burning, weeping and swollen, almost as if she was covered in 3rd degree burns. After being put on oral steroids seven times in 2017 along with topical steroids, her symptoms only worsened. Her compromised immune system and the topical steroid withdrawal caused a staph infection, and after yet another hospital visit later, the doctor advised her not to return to her apartment.
With only a handful of options left on the table, Patty’s husband, Pete, packed up their belongings while Patty waited in the hospital and they moved to LA to escape the allergens with the hopes that her condition would improve. Unfortunately, her allergies to food, dust, dander, chemicals, and now wind, the sun, and pollen have become hypersensitive and she has since been suffering with chronic inflammation on a daily basis.
On top of that, her periods bring on a bad flare up every month, which puts her in an immobilizing amount of pain and does not allow her to do anything at all. Her sensitive skin becomes stiff with dryness and the deep red, burning, weeping, and swelling begins again. After a couple of weeks of constant pain, cramping, and skin weeping, it takes another couple of weeks for her to build up the energy to achieve a manageable state, just in time for another cycle to start again.
After searching for an OBGYN doctor to treat her insufferable periods and her Endometriosis, Patty met with one of the best in Los Angeles. The doctor added PCOS to her diagnosis and explained to Patty that she should undergo the Endometriosis surgery as soon as possible. However, she was only able to have a routine Pap smear because she does not have health coverage. The Pap smear results came back indicating abnormal HPV cells. Proceeding with caution, she had another test, a Colposcopy. The Colposcopy resulted in the findings of high grade precancerous cells, which the doctor advised needed to be removed right away because if not, these abnormal cells may become cancerous and may spread to nearby normal tissue. Patty then underwent a LEEP procedure to remove the cells and to determine if they were cancerous. A deeper look at the pathology report showed the cells were found to be in fact cancerous and Patty was diagnosed with Stage 1 Cervical Cancer. The cancerous cells have supposedly been removed but as of now, that is all we know. Patty has been scheduled for a consultation with a referred oncologist and she is expected to undergo further procedures and treatments.
Both Patty and Pete’s lives have revolved around tending to her body and searching for new treatments and specialists. To date, Patty’s doctor visits have totaled tens of thousands of dollars. All of her many different medications and immunotherapy self-injections have been paid for out of pocket. The LEEP procedure to remove the high grade precancerous cells cost $2,380 and on top of that, the surgeon fee alone cost $15,000. At this point, the steep debt is no longer manageable but it looks as though her journey to fight for her health will have to continue. For many patients, diagnosis is just the beginning.
Patty is one of the most talented and creative people we have ever met, yet she has not been able to work because things have been so bad. Her body has become unpredictable and her physical symptoms and exhaustion are overwhelming to say the least. We can no longer stand to witness her suffering and the lack of care from this broken healthcare system. We have watched Patty go through too much in the last few years and it is about time something changes because this quality of life is absolutely unbearable.
We will gladly accept any contribution, whether it be a donation, leads for pro bono doctors, or any recommendations for a good specialist, and so on. Please feel free to contact [email redacted] if you have any questions, thoughts, or recommendations.
And most of all, please keep Patty in your hearts ♡♡♡
Xx,
Patty’s friends
Organizer
Kim Alice
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA