We apologize for the delay in posting, it has been an eventful 2 ½ weeks. While my surgery was on January 21st and we anticipated going home on January 22nd, God had other plans. We did not go home until January 28th due to the extensiveness of the surgery; the surgeons later joked that they needed a nap after my surgery.

The surgeons suspected that endometriosis would be found in the reproductive organs and diaphragm, what only God knew was that it was everywhere in between that, plus below and above.

The surgeons removed endometriosis from the sac around my heart and my diaphragm was so full of holes that my lungs were poking through, and they said it was a miracle I never had a lung collapse. The surgeons had to remove 1/3 of my liver, my whole appendix, part of my stomach, and the top part of my right kidney. They repaired a hernia on the right side of my abdomen that required a 4x4 inch square of mesh; there were also two additional hernias in my groin they repaired. Both ureters, that connect the kidneys and bladder, were encased with fibroids due to the inflammation that the endometriosis caused. The surgeons had to do multiple bowel resections as well as remove the left fallopian tube due to endometriosis. They removed cysts off each ovary, removed pelvic lymph nodes, as well as lesions off my uterus and cervix. Lastly, the surgeons repaired my urethra that had been damaged when I was hit by a car as a pedestrian a little over a decade ago. Stage 4 endometriosis confirmed, at an exceptionally extensive level.

Due to the extent of the surgery, I awoke with a chest tube, a catheter, and a NG tube; the NG tube ran down my nose and into my stomach and was pumping blood out due to part of my stomach being removed. The chest tube was removed the same day as the surgery, but the NG tube and catheter remained until the afternoon of the 24th. I despised the NG tube and would not wish it on my worst enemy.

The same night the NG tube was removed, Mike found out our truck battery had died - likely due to the extremely cold temperatures coupled with age. Thankfully, there was an auto parts store close by and apparently car batteries are cheaper in New Jersey than Connecticut.

We had to stay in the hospital a few more days after all the tubes were removed to ensure that everything was working properly, my pain was managed with medication, and I could be generally mobile (getting in / out of the vehicle as well as the steps to enter our home). I was put on a strict diet (soft foods / puree, no fat, no sugar, no acid, no fiber) that I only just came off to allow my stomach time to heal. I started physical therapy on the 31st and I am going twice a week. I have already made progress along with chiropractic visits, but it will definitely be slow going for a minute with all the work that the surgeons did.

Endometriosis is often labeled as a benign disease, however the definition of benign is ‘not harmful in effect’. I would argue that endometriosis is anything but benign; in fact, I would call it malignant, invasive, and insidious. Even the doctors that are focused on endometriosis used the terms, “…highly invasive…acts and spreads like cancer…”. While it is said that only one woman had died from endometriosis, I would argue that many have died from complications it causes and unlike cancer, there is no known cure.

Mike has taken excellent care of me, and we appreciate all the blessings with the prayers, meals, gift cards, offers of help, taking care of our animals, and well wishes from everyone.

Love, 
Mike and Ellie

“Give unto the Lord the glory due His name: Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Psalms 29:2

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You.”
Isaiah 26:3

Family & friends,

Surgery is scheduled for January 21st in New Jersey.

The day after Christmas, Ellie had a second MRI that showed 4 endometriosis lesions on her liver and some potential issues with her right kidney. At the recent pre-op appointment for Ellie, we learned the full scope of this surgery- endometriosis acts like cancer where it can go anywhere in the body, and Ellie has stage 4.

The team of surgeons are unable to give a rough time frame for the length of the surgery beyond 2-10 hours. The lesions/masses that can be seen via a MRI are on her intestines, fallopian tubes, ovaries, kidneys, liver, and diaphragm. The lesions on her diaphragm means two things, first there is a chance she will wake up with a chest tube. Second, her lungs could also have endometriosis and they will check that during this surgery. Should they find lesions, a second surgery will be required as the body can only handle so much surgery at once.

The major blow however, was that due to the extent of disease seen on Ellie’s left fallopian tube, the doctor may need to remove it to prevent future complications.

Specific prayer requests

1. The surgery is successful and eliminates the constant pain Ellie is currently in
2. Ellie can keep both fallopian tubes
3. Ellie does not have lesions in her lungs and only needs one surgery
4. This surgery allows Ellie to be able to conceive naturally and carry a healthy baby to term
5. The surgeon’s hands are guided during surgery and that they have the wisdom to make any difficult calls
6. Mike is given the strength to take care of Ellie and the additional house tasks while Ellie is recuperating
7. Ellie’s nausea and pain post-surgery is minimal and well controlled, along with a speedy recovery

We are hopeful and confident that we have the best surgeons to help Ellie and we thank you all again for you many blessings and prayers.

Love,

Mike & Ellie

12/31/2024 UPDATE:

As we close out 2024, we wanted to list some of the ways we have been blessed in this situation.

1. All of the prayers and financial contributions that have made this surgery possible.
2. The hospital is technically out of network, but they are willing to accept our deductible as if we were in network.
3. The surgeon, which is a separate bill, is submitting to our out of network benefits and will accept whatever insurance pays her, even if they refuse to reimburse her at all!
4. Ellie was approved for CT paid leave and we are hopeful Mike will be as well.
5. Friends have come over to help meal prep for after surgery.
6. Friends are staying with our animals so we do not have to board them.
7. We were able to purchase a wheelchair so Ellie could attend church.

There have been so many additional ways the Lord has blessed us as you have acted as His hands and feet, we are truly thankful.

We also wanted the campaign total to reflect the $2,680 we have received via cash, check, and Venmo so we lowered the total from $12,000 to $9,320 to reflect the outside donations.

As the surgery quickly approaches, we want to reiterate our gratitude for the support.

Love,

Mike and Ellie

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
James 5:16

Family & Friends,

We appreciate your prayers and support, with Ellie’s Venmo at $1,200 combined with the blessings here, we are 34% of the way to the goal. We received the results of Ellie’s MRI and while some of the results are not surprising given her pain, they are worrisome.

Masses can be seen on her left ovary and sacrum, her left fallopian tube has adhesions, her right kidney is swollen, and it looks like the endometriosis has infiltrated her liver. We are unsure yet what this means regarding the surgical plan, but we are counting down the days until surgery.

Surgery was rescheduled for late January; this change was made so the surgery could be at a larger hospital with more specialists present just in case. This change was made prior to the MRI results and God clearly had His hand in the date change because He knew what the MRI would show.

We will continue to keep you updated.

With love and gratitude,
Mike & Ellie

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7

Friends and family,

It is clear that God has been working in our situation and we are incredibly grateful for your prayers and support. We originally set a goal to raise $35,000 based on the information we initially received for the costs and upfront funds required and that these specialty locations would not bill or interact with insurance companies.

Since then, we have found a specialist with a team and location that will collaborate with our insurance. With it being the end of the year, the surgery is currently scheduled for early January at a hospital in New Jersey. We have been advised that with the extensiveness of the endometriosis that Ellie may need a follow-up surgery from a different team to address the rest.

While this surgical team is working with insurance, we will still need to arrive with the full deductible on the day of surgery along with funds for incidentals- copays, diagnostic fees, physical therapy etc. In addition, we will not know how long Ellie will be out of work until after the procedure, depending on how extensive this diaphragmatic endometriosis is, recovery typically takes 2-6 weeks. Furthermore, there will be post-operative follow-up care, as well as addressing the high likelihood of a second surgery.

With your prayers and the power of God, we are thrilled to share that the team we found is willing to work with our insurance which address over 60% of the cost. As a result, we have lowered our fundraising goal to $12,000! We prayed on the question, “What do we do when the goal is exceeded or we have excess funds?” and the answer was obvious to us- your kind hearts have shared your blessings with us for medical assistance and any excess funds from this fundraiser will be passed onto others with medical situations.

Several people have asked for Ellie’s Venmo, and we are excited to share that an additional $900 has been donated through this method. We are deeply thankful for all your support, generosity, and prayers during this time.

Thank you all for your blessings and prayers. It was a long road to this point but your prayers and God’s answering of those prayers shortened the road significantly.

With love and gratitude.

Mike & Ellie