Stories of Strength from Patients We've Supported.

In my case, I had endometriomas, which were visible on imaging and ultimately helped lead to my diagnosis—something many women don’t have the benefit of. At the same time, I understood that their presence typically indicates more extensive disease.

After a lot of research and prayer, I reached a point where I knew surgery was my only option. I also knew I wanted to go to a specific surgeon who is highly experienced with advanced cases and able to treat thoracic endometriosis if needed. It was a big decision—especially knowing the surgery would be entirely out of pocket—but one I felt I needed to make for my health. If it weren’t for Endo Excision for All, I’m not sure I would have even been able to move forward. Your support helped make up a significant portion of the difference that I wasn’t able to afford, and truly made this surgery possible for me.

During surgery, my doctor found extensive disease throughout my body. He removed two large endometriomas as well as my appendix, and excised masses of endometriosis from multiple areas including my tailbone, rectum, bowels, bladder, vagina, ovaries, pelvis, diaphragm, lungs, ribs, and essentially everywhere in between. While it was overwhelming to hear, it was also incredibly validating after years of not having clear answers.

Recovery has definitely been challenging, but I’m starting to feel better little by little. I know this isn’t the end of my journey, but it truly feels like a really big step in the right direction. I’m eager to see how my body feels once I’m fully healed and all the surgical inflammation settles down.

I can’t say enough about how much Endo Excision for All has impacted me. Your support not only helped make this surgery possible for me, but also gave me guidance, reassurance, and a sense of not going through this alone. It truly made such a difference during such a difficult time.

I’ve also been doing my best to share my story and spread awareness—not only about endometriosis, but about Endo Excision for All and the incredible work you do. I’ve been encouraging others that if they’re ever looking to give back to a cause that truly makes a direct impact, this is one that does. Thank you to EEFA for everything they do and for being such a big part of this journey for me.

Before my surgery, I was in consistent debilitating pain; I could barely walk, eat, and even putting on clothes hurt. This disease affected every area of my life. It was a very emotional and hard season of my life.

Throughout my recovery, they had checked in on me to see how recovery was going and even sent me a card in the mail, and they continue to check in—and that truly means so much to me. I am feeling the best I’ve ever felt and have gotten my life back, which is such a gift!

This organization is phenomenal, not only on the funding side but also on the educational and advocacy side. The work that they are doing will be in history books!

I was in and out of the hospital, living in constant pain, bleeding, and exhaustion. My body was shutting down. My appendix was inflamed and slowly leaking infection. I spent months on high-dose antibiotics, in the ICU, multiple ambulance rides, constant agony, pain, infections, heart issues wondering how much more my body could take. I went from doctor to doctor, begging to be heard.

I was told it was “normal,” that I didn’t need surgery, that birth control would fix it. But deep down, I knew something was very wrong. I struggled with painful cycles since I was 12. Over the years it worsened to unbearable levels of pain and agony. By the time I finally got answers, it was stage 4 deep infiltrating endometriosis. My organs were fused together. My body was failing. And then came another obstacle… I couldn’t afford to get to the surgeon who could actually save my life.

And SO MUCH MORE. They had to address disease that had spread far beyond where anyone expected, all because nobody listened to me before and my condition progressed to such a severe stage. There were moments my body was so unstable I nearly went into cardiac arrest. But I made it. Because of this organization… I am here. I am here to keep saving lives as an EMT. I am here to teach my students. I am here to write, to create, to live. I will never be the same—but I am alive.

Every month, I was passing out and vomiting from the pain of my cycle. Every day, I felt my organs pulling in my abdomen with every movement. Something as routine as using the restroom caused severe pain. And for the past two and a half years, I’ve had to face the heartbreak of seeing single lines on pregnancy tests while my list of nieces, nephews, and friends with babies continues to grow. My symptoms started when I was just 12 years old. I missed out on sports, field trips, and after school activities, watching my peers from the sidelines. Now in my 20s, that hasn’t changed, it’s affected my ability to further my education, keep steady jobs, and become a mother. I’m still watching life from the sidelines.

Excision surgery was my only real option to reduce my pain, protect my fertility, and have a chance at a normal life, but insurance doesn’t cover it. I knew I needed the surgery, but I had no idea how I would ever be able to afford it. Endo Excision for All made it possible. One phone call changed everything. Because of the generosity of this organization and the people who support it, I was able to have my surgery on February 11th of this year.

Now, almost two months post-op, my life already feels different. I still have some pain, but I no longer feel that constant pulling in my abdomen with every movement. I have real hope that I may be able to conceive. My inflammatory symptoms have improved, the constant aching and pressure in my lower back is gone, and the sharp nerve pain that used to shoot through my hips and thighs at random hasn’t hit me since my surgery. For the first time in years, I feel hopeful about my health. I didn’t know it was possible for my body to feel this way. I’ve also been told my pain should continue to improve as my body keeps healing.

The physical relief I felt after surgery was overwhelming in a way I can’t fully describe. I would go through that recovery again every single month without hesitation if it meant never having another endometriosis flare. The emotional relief was just as powerful. When I woke up I couldn’t stop sobbing, not because I was in pain, for the first time in almost a decade my pain was unnoticeable. I was crying because I finally had proof. I was never crazy. It was never all in my head. After being dismissed for so long, I didn’t even fully believe it at first when my surgeon found endometriosis via ultrasound prior to my surgery. As much as I wanted answers, and as much as I knew something was wrong, it was hard to accept after a decade of being told otherwise. I needed that pathology report just as much as I needed the surgery itself.

Endo Excision for All gave me that. They gave me my life back. I can stretch without sharp pain. I can sleep through the night. I can make plans without constantly worrying about whether I’ll have to cancel. I started working full time again, for the first time in over a year. I finally have an explanation with irrefutable proof of what I’ve been living with. Every woman with endometriosis deserves to feel this kind of relief, both physically and emotionally. My journey isn’t over and as all women with endometriosis know, it never will be. But the physical and mental relief provided to me by not only the doctor who finally believed me but this amazing nonprofit is invaluable. I can finally breathe. Until insurance companies and our medical system start taking women’s pain seriously, until endometriosis receives equal priority to other chronic illnesses, so many of us are left with no choice but to rely on organizations like Endo Excision for All. They do all they can, but they can only do as much as donations allow.

So please, if you’re able to donate, consider supporting this organization. They are changing, and saving, the lives of women like me. I will never be able to say thank you enough for what they’ve given me.

I was also struggling with infertility, which added even more emotional weight to everything I was going through.

Getting an excision surgery truly changed everything for me. For the first time in my life, I recovered and felt no pain—something I didn’t even know was possible. And now, I’m almost 17 weeks pregnant with a baby boy, due at the end of August.

EEFA means the world to me. The founder is so thoughtful, and having a community where others genuinely understand your experience makes you feel seen in a way nothing else does. Receiving a donation to help with my surgery costs helped more than I can ever explain. It gave me access to a life-changing surgery, helped me overcome infertility, and gave me the chance to live a life without pain.

She introduced me to a community of women that have guided my recovery, and she personally has been a guiding light for me throughout the entire process before and after surgery. Because of EEFA, I was connected with another nonprofit that also helped with fundraising, and EEFA spread my story and helped with funding as much as they could.

Excision surgery wouldn’t have been an option for me if it weren’t for this organization.

I couldn’t stomach anything and was on full liquids for 3 weeks. I went to the ER, countless appointments, had some of the most invasive tests, scans, procedures, and experimented with more meds than I could count. Most of my doctors were suspecting endo, but I was trying to keep exploratory surgery as a last ditch effort, especially since I had just started back to school for the first time in 7 years to get my nursing degree. But after 8+ months of pain, I was exhausted to say the least. Family and friends were telling me they were concerned that I wasn’t myself, and I knew I wasn’t—my grades were slipping, my mental health deteriorating, and the constant pain was more than I could handle. I knew I had to have surgery, but was completely uncertain how I could afford it since the only reputable endo surgeon in my area was out of network. I was working two part time jobs, full time in school, paying rent, already overwhelmed, and sick.

I found Endo Excision For All by chance one day while on Instagram. I was impressed to see how many women’s lives they’ve positively impacted, and filled out a form for myself within minutes. I thought it was a long shot, but one worth taking. Within a day or so I was contacted, had a call, and was able to get the down payment covered to book my surgery. I cried tears of relief after getting off that call; not only relieved about the financial aspect, but overwhelmed by the warm support of someone who understood everything I was going through, and getting connected to a community of women who also understood. So many of us rely on EEFA’s support for these entirely necessary surgeries—I know for fact I would not have been able to have mine without them.

I had surgery in December 2025, where my surgeon found adenomyosis, calcification deposits, a peritoneal retraction pocket up against the perirectal colon area, and fibrotic endo lesions. The healing process of surgery was easier than the pain of what I had been experiencing for not only the past year, but better than many cycles over the past fourteen years since puberty. Now at seven months post-op, I’m at almost full capacity again; I’m able to do the CrossFit workouts I love, play with my energy-filled nephews, go out to dinner without the fear of becoming sick, and concentrate on school. Because of Endo Excision for All, I have not been concerned about the weight of my surgical bills and can instead put my focus into things that really matter like becoming a great nurse, being the best auntie I can be, and planning my wedding.

They got me to my fundraising goal, helped me navigate the complexities of out-of-network surgical care, and introduced me to a community of incredible women with a common fight. The minds and voices behind this organization really believe in what they do, and care deeply about the quality and availability of endometriosis care in this country.

This foundation is truly the most comprehensive endo resource that I have found. I am so grateful to have had my surgery. I used to plan life around my period, but now I just LIVE life—no planning, no stressing—just LIVING! & damn, that feels good!

EEFA's support was life-changing. Their assistance allowed me to access a true endometriosis specialist who could provide the expert care I desperately needed. Without their help, I wouldn't have been able to afford the surgery that has given me a chance at reclaiming my health and my life. I'm profoundly grateful for the work EEFA does for patients like me who are struggling to find hope and proper treatment.

Their team not only helped me create a GoFundMe account, but they also provided kindness, support, and encouragement during one of the most difficult seasons of my life. In June, I underwent successful excision surgery and was diagnosed with Stage IV Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis. After years of pain and uncertainty, I finally have hope. I am so thankful for the amazing staff at Endo Excision for All and honored to have had them by my side on this journey. Their support meant more to me than words can say.

During my surgery, my surgeon found extensive endometriosis that previous surgeons had missed 3 times. Both of my ovaries had to be freed from extensive adhesions tethering them to my pelvic sidewall. They even had to remove my appendix due to the endometriosis completely infiltrating it.

Overall, my endometriosis pain is so much better! I am still in pelvic floor PT and trying to give that a chance to work. I have several other chronic conditions, so I'm still trying to figure all of those out. But overall, my quality of life has changed drastically!

With all of my other medical problems, there would have been no way that my husband and I would have been able to afford me getting the help that I needed. EEFA has truly been such a blessing in this whole process. Not only did they help me with funding for surgery, they were so kind and checked on me through the whole process. I genuinely am so grateful for EEFA. Most people think that excision surgery is just another surgery. For me, this surgery was something that gave my body the opportunity to finally work like it should have been. This surgery has been life changing and it wouldn't be possible without EEFA!

Because of your kindness, I was able to access the specialized excision care I had been fighting so hard to receive. Your support has truly changed my life, and I will never be able to fully express how grateful I am for the hope, healing, and new beginning you’ve given me. ♥️💛

My life before surgery was organized entirely around my cycle. A friend of mine referred to my periods as "exorcist-style." The pain was so intense that I would black out, scream, throw up, and hallucinate. I frequently ended up in the emergency room with little to no memory of how I got there.

Three years before my eventual excision surgery, I underwent an ablation surgery. I woke up from that procedure being told by the surgical team that they had removed all of my endometriosis and that one adhesion was about to cause a bowel obstruction that could have killed me. However, I was later told that the pathology tests came back negative and that I didn't actually have endo. Instead of finding relief, my periods became significantly more severe after that ablation.

Five months later, I began coughing up blood. That was when I discovered the endometriosis had begun growing inside my lungs. My doctors prescribed oxycodone and fentanyl patches. They told me there was nothing more they could do for me locally because there were no excision specialists in New Mexico who could pair with cardiothoracic surgeons to perform the complex surgery I desperately required.

I spent two agonizing years fighting my insurance company to cover a hospital stay for an out-of-state surgery. They continually denied my claims, hiding behind the loophole that my doctor wasn’t sending the "correct" paperwork. Finally, after two years of living with endo in my lungs and pelvis while battling insurance, I couldn't fight the system anymore. I gave up the battle, packed up my life, and moved across the country to Portland, Oregon, to work with Dr. Shanti Mohling, an excision specialist who was more than happy to take on my case.

Uprooting my life meant leaving my home, my career, and my community just to establish residency in Portland. It was the only way my new insurance would cover the hospital stay and the cardiothoracic surgeon, which easily could have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even with insurance, I still had to pay for Dr. Mohling entirely out of pocket. Once I arrived in Portland, a new CT scan was ordered to check the size of the lesion in my right lung. The results were devastating: during the years I spent fighting insurance, the disease had spread to my left lung as well. Because of the safety risks involved, the surgeons couldn't operate on both lungs and my pelvic area all at the same time.

By this point, my entire existence was consumed by my illness and my desperate attempt to secure this surgery. I reached out to multiple organizations for help, but no one got back to me except for Endo Excision for All.

The moment I reached out, Nicole called me right away. She was incredibly supportive and fiercely dedicated to securing the funds I needed. She managed to raise $6,000 for me, which covered the majority of my surgery. Living with this disease often means being constantly dismissed, ignored, and told you are just being dramatic. To receive the financial support I so desperately needed with such ease and care felt like a miracle. Nicole is a powerhouse earth angel doing vital work. She truly, deeply cares. I get emotional just writing these words, and I will be forever grateful to her.

My surgery was massive. I lost a large portion of my right lung, had lesions removed from my diaphragm, pelvic area, and my colon. I still have a lesion in my left lung, and I will likely need another surgery down the road to remove a portion of it.

However, I have not had to take a single oxycodone since my early recovery days. The extreme, blinding pain I used to experience every few weeks now feels like a distant nightmare I am processing from safety, rather than a reality I am trapped within. Excision surgery gave me my life back. I will be forever grateful to Nicole and Endo Excision for All.

I also was able to use the specialist that I deserved. The help felt like a hug, letting me know that I am NOT alone. I cannot thank them enough!

I didn’t want my first OB/GYN appointment ever to be somewhere that would dismiss these symptoms and try to cover everything up with birth control, so I found a clinic two hours away that focused on natural restorative women’s health. The OB/GYN instantly recognized that I was showing signs of endometriosis. But comorbidities kept popping up or worsening, and pain kept increasing until I couldn’t run or hike for long times anymore. No other doctor believed me or the whole-body effects of endometriosis. I was so lucky that my OB/GYN knows the power of excision surgery and was constantly trying to find a good surgeon to refer her patients to because there was no one in our state offering excisions. In the meantime, we worked a lot on trying to reduce inflammation and promote healthier cycles with dietary changes, supplements, and medications for one and a half years. Some things improved, and some things were still huge question marks.

In July 2025, she found a surgeon for me in a neighboring state. By October, I had an excision surgery booked for February 2026. However, a month before my surgery, the hospital where my surgery was to be decided they would not accept my insurance and demanded I pay them in full upfront. As a teacher aide and college student, I was already relying on tremendous help from family and friends to pay the surgeon; being self-pay for the hospital as well made surgery impossible, and I had to cancel it.

When I told Nicole, who had helped advertise my GoFundMe page through EEFA, she refused to settle for this. She literally got on the phone with me numerous times with both the hospital and my insurance for months, finding workarounds for single-care agreements, teaching me how to fight for myself, and advising me where to go next with every up and down. Finally, after a scheduling miracle and a power outage delay, my surgery was completed on May 13, 2026. Without Nicole and EEFA's hope, support, and courage cutting through systems that shut down functioning, I would have never been able to have this surgery designed to help me function the best I can with this disease. I’m beyond grateful to, and for, Nicole and EEFA.

They encouraged me to share my story, made me feel seen, and helped to make my recent surgery possible. Forever grateful ♥️