Help with Jacey's Medical Expenses

Story

For almost a decade and a half, Jacey has been in a seemingly endless battle with chronic illness and pain, which we now know to be endometriosis. Endometriosis (commonly referred to as endo), is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, in places where it doesn't belong. Endometriosis can cause lesions, tissue deposits, adhesions, and cysts all throughout the body, often causing severe pain and numerous other symptoms and complications. Jacey's main symptoms of endo have been severe abdominal, back, and pelvic pain, gastrointestinal issues, loss of appetite, irregular bleeding, fatigue, and an array of other symptoms that made daily life a battle against her own body. Pain medication and hormone therapy can help ease some symptoms, but currently, the only way to definitively diagnose and treat endometriosis is through surgery.

On March 20, 2024, under the expertise of Dr. Adela Cope and her team at Mayo Clinic, Jacey underwent a successful laparoscopy for endometriosis excision. Dr. Cope removed endometriosis from the anterior cul-de-sac, which is located between the front of the uterus and the bladder, the left pelvic sidewall, the left uterosacral ligament, the right pelvic sidewall, and the posterior cul-de-sac, which is the space behind the uterus, between it and the rectum. Jacey goes back to see Dr. Cope on May 16th for her surgical follow-up where the plan moving forward will be discussed in more detail, but it is our hope that the endometriosis will not come back. It can take 6-12 weeks to fully heal and there is still a long road ahead, but Jacey has already noticed significant improvement in her symptoms, which is a promising sign. She will start 12 weeks of physical therapy on April 10th and her goal is to be living her fully-healed best life this summer! In the midst of all of this, Jacey also continues to work towards her Master of Social Work full-time while working in nonprofit mental health part-time.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for endometriosis, and recurrence is always possible, even after successful excision by a skilled surgeon. However, Jacey is determined to focus on the good news, which is that she is well on her way to recovery now after a long battle. That being said, over the last decade, Jacey has had several procedures, tests, treatments, visits with specialists, etc. that have resulted in significant medical expenses, plus travel expenses for multiple trips to Mayo Clinic in Rochester from Des Moines the last several months.

Anyone who knows Jacey knows that she is incredibly kind, loving, resilient, and can find the joy in anything and everything. She loves her people (and her and her partner Jake's furbaby Benny) immensely and is on a mission to spread joy throughout the world. She deserves to feel as much love as she gives out - and that's a lot of love! Your contributions will greatly assist in taking care of these expenses, as well as any future expenses necessary to manage her condition and improve her quality of life.

Ways to Support:

Shop + Give: 40% of each purchase will be doanted, always.

Crowdfunding: 100% of cash donations (minus standard fees) will be gifted back.