At the age of 20, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Endometriosis. Without getting too graphic, Endo is when the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. This can cause a variety of extreme symptoms and affect a multitude of areas in the body, not just the reproductive system. To give a broad overview of my treatment over the course of 7 years while I was prioritizing pain management, it has included multiple doctors, ultrasounds, a variety of tests/blood work, hormone therapy, birth control, injections, other medications, an MRI, and two surgeries to remove masses from my ovaries.

Not only does this disease affect my overall health, it also unfortunately affects my fertility. While Alfonso and I have officially been trying to conceive for a year now, I knew even before meeting him that I would have difficulties becoming pregnant. But Alfonso, being the amazing man he is and the one God prepared for me, asked me to marry him anyway!

Now, I share all of this negative background information, to bring a positive to light. Recently, Alfonso and I have found a doctor who specializes in Endo and is a skilled surgeon who is confident that not only can he improve my chances of natural conception, but also dramatically decrease my overall symptoms of this disease. As of right now, there is no cure; however, this procedure is the closest treatment to one as it statistically has the longest lasting effects. I will be having this extensive surgical procedure done in December of this year, as well as a second necessary procedure 2 weeks post-op.

Our specific prayer request during the next few months leading up to this hopefully life-changing event is that God would provide the necessary financial funds. This doctor runs his own private practice and unfortunately does not accept insurance. Therefore, the payment for the physician side is due in full one month prior to the procedure. As you can imagine, this is not going to be a small cost and not something Alfonso and I have fully been able to cover ourselves yet. This payment also does not include the out-of-pocket costs we will have after what insurance does cover from the hospital bills, including anesthesia, the colorectal co-surgeon, etc. I will also be out of work for at least a month or more for recovery. But as previously stated, where God guides, God provides!