My name is Kimera, and I serve my community as an herbalist, postpartum doula, and an endometriosis advocate. At just 21 years old, a seven-centimeter cyst sent me to the gynecologist where I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis.
The endometriosis was so extensive in my abdomen, bowel, and bladder that it showed up clearly on an MRI, shocking my doctor. This diagnosis devastated me as, at just 21, I was not thinking about my fertility. Once I received my endometriosis diagnosis my whole world changed. My doctor’s attitude towards me was one of pity, and I couldn’t understand why everyone was telling me I was barren when I have never even tried for a baby. All I have ever wanted is to be a mother, so much so that I became a doula. The idea of motherhood felt so far away. I began to research endometriosis and to my surprise I couldn’t find many young women with my story. That left me feeling even more alone and like there was no 21-year-old who could empathize with infertility.
Endometriosis and infertility caused so much depression for me – looking back I wish I gave myself time to grieve the old me. When life brought more devastation, I called my mom, who held me, put my broken pieces back together, and truly saved my life.
After the toughest two years of my life, I was so glad to be thriving at 23 and on the other side. Through herbalism and my passion for holistic health, I found so much improvement in my endometriosis symptoms. My research has also helped me to create an herbal tea called “Femininitea” to support women with endometriosis, PCOS, menopause, postpartum, fibroids, and cysts. In 2021, Kimera created her shop – The Sunflower Child – to promote healing inside and out.
I learned I had to go through health challenges to help my community find healing.
But then a particularly bad endometriosis flare up in June 2024 sent me back to the doctor and an ultrasound revealed another cyst, a blocked fallopian tube, and worsening endometriosis. My doctor asked me if I would consent to removing my fallopian tube, but I was only 23. Before leaving her office, I vowed to heal myself as much as I could before surgery to keep my fallopian tubes.
We scheduled my second and (hopefully) final endometriosis surgery for August 2024. I went into the surgery experience trusting my womb to create the perfect home for a baby. Surgery was not covered by my insurance; the out-of-pocket cost was estimated at $4,000 so I spent the next several weeks working with my doula clients as much as I could to save up for surgery.
I planned to empty my bank account to pay for surgery, not just the medical bills, but fund six weeks of recovery until I was able to go back to work.
Endometriosis has caused a lot of uncertainties for me so when I found out MomminWithEndo was able to help pay toward my medical bills, it encouraged me to continue this fight for my womb. Thank you for helping myself and other endo warriors during these tough circumstances!
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