Who We’ve Helped

Katie is a court reporter AND a volunteer firefighter and EMT – a true hero! Katie had surgery for endometriosis in September 2024 and was gracious enough to share her story with us and allow us to share it with you. Katie started having issues at the age of 10 and as the pain and symptoms worsened through the years, she was misdiagnosed and dismissed. Spending your life having your pain invalidated and being told it’s all in your head does a number on your mental health. Katie withdrew and only worked and slept, leading to depression on top of the pain and other physical symptoms. It wasn’t until Katie’s sister, a L&D nurse, referred her to an OB/GYN friend, that someone finally heard Katie. She underwent ablation surgery and received her official endometriosis diagnosis. After the bittersweet diagnosis of endometriosis, Katie began doing research and found Nancy’s Nook, a website dedicated to bringing awareness to endometriosis and consolidating resources. Katie found an Excision Specialist and underwent surgery, leading to a diagnosis of stage three endometriosis. This debilitating disease, both physically and financially, has taken its toll, especially since insurance is so quick to deny coverage. We were able to help pay a portion of her surgery that was not covered by insurance. See Katie’s story in her own words below:

Kimera is an herbalist, postpartum doula, and an endometriosis advocate. She received her endometriosis diagnosis at the age of 21 after her doctor found a 7-centimeter cyst via MRI. Typically, endometriosis does not show up on an MRI but because Kimera’s was so extensive – covering her abdomen, bowel, and bladder – it showed up clearly on the MRI.

Due to the stage four endometriosis infiltrating many of her organs, the doctors warned Kimera that she would likely not be able to carry biological children. Kimera’s diagnosis left her feeling alone and grieving the children she wanted to one day carry, leading to years of depression and PTSD.

Kimera decided to take her grief and turn it into a passion for holistic health. Through her research, Kimera turned to herbalism and has developed an herbal tea to help her, and many others, manage the symptoms of endometriosis.

In summer of 2024 Kimera was unfortunately diagnosed with another cyst and a fallopian tube blocked my endometriosis. The doctor wanted to remove her fallopian tube, but at the young age of 23, Kimera wasn’t ready to lose her tubes and hoped to just have the endometriosis removed.

On top of the $4000 out of pocket cost for surgery, it was hard for Kimera to work with her endometriosis symptoms given her job is so physically demanding. She also required six weeks to recover after surgery, which could’ve lead to draining her bank account but thanks to our generous donors, we were able to help pay a portion of Kimera’s out of pocket costs.

Meghan’s journey with endometriosis began when she was only 10 years old, showing up with debilitating symptoms leaving her curled up on the couch or in bed most days. The dozens of doctors Meghan consulted during this time never brought up endometriosis and dismissed her pain as “all in her head.”

It wasn’t until Meghan started nursing school that she heard about endometriosis from a professor teaching on the condition. As Meghan listened to her professor explain the disease, she realized her periods were not normal and her inability to function for days at a time was concerning.

She made an appointment with a local OB/GYN which led to years of birth control which did not help but brought on a host of side effects. Meghan started doing her own research and found Nancy’s Nook which changed her life. She found an excision surgeon nearby and after a long six months of waiting, had her first surgery in February of 2023.

The surgery helped temporarily but after a few months, Meghan’s symptoms crept back in. Her endometriosis resulted in an inability to function in her job, personal life, and friendships. Meghan said, “As much as I hate to admit it, it often feels like it defines who I am.”

Meghan decided to pursue treatment with the Center for Endometriosis Care in the hopes that it will result in long lasting improvement. Due to insurance not covering the surgery, receiving care from a specialist cost Meghan nearly all her savings. We were able to help cover a portion of the cost to help Meghan financially as she underwent her surgery.