Help Nikki get surgery for Endometriosis, Adenomyosis and Ovarian Cysts

Hello there!

Nikki is one of my greatest friends with the most kind and generous soul. Sadly she has been severely sick for over 20 years already, and now needs surgery for Endometriosis, Adenomyosis and large ovarian cysts/endometriomas (8cm, 156cc size). Despite multiple hospital admissions and unbearable suffering, and having tried every avenue to get help via the public sector, the public system continue to decline her for surgery or help. There is now no choice but to go private.

Surgery date now confirmed for 8 december 2021.

Costs - up to $30000 as follows:

$20000 for full hysterectomy

Plus up to $10000 for endometriosis resection and adhesions- exact cost will depend on severity and the time the surgery takes to complete

Nikki was forewarned that 'it may not end with one surgery'. Sadly, the end outcome may eventually be a full hysterectomy - two decades of illness has almost certainly cost Nikki a chance at her own family - but if surgery can finally give her a chance at health and life, it will be worth it. She has suffered more than most can ever comprehend and missed most of life's opportunities due to illness.

Prior to becoming ill she had life mapped out - a talented singer, musician, equestrian and representative sportsperson, Nikki also achieved two years at Vet School with A/A+ marks before her life came crashing down. She and her parents have had to self fund most of the two decades of illness, which at times has seen her totally bedridden unable to speak, unable to shower, unable to feed herself and suffering multiple seizures daily

Nikki has self funded two specialist gynacological appointments already. They are adamant that surgery is the only option now. They believe that the cysts and endometriosis /adenomyosis are causing chronic inflammation acting like chronic infection, from which her body cannot recover. Surgery gives some hope. There is also an as yet unidentified 'solid nodular infiltrating mass' in the cyst, which is hoped/believed to be a benign endometrioma, but the risk of delaying surgery further is that if there is anything cancerous in there, it will then be too late (which sadly has been the case for many other women). The surgeon's words were 'this is not a wait and see option' and, about public, 'don't leave there without an outcome' Sadly, that is exactly what has happened in the public sector, despite all efforts. When asked if it could be anything other than a benign endometrioma, or potentially a cancer, the surgeon simply said 'yes'. It needs to come out, and sooner than later.

Funds will be used for:

* Surgery/follow up surgeries, potentially full hysterectomy if it comes to that

* Specialist fees/related GP fees

* Transport costs to and from Christchurch for appointments and surgery

* Ongoing intravenous treatments every 5-6 days $170 each ($12000 per year)

* Supplements and alternative treatments

* Previously raised funds have also already been used for - a new PICC line ($1000, self funded for the fourth time, despite this being funded for cancer patients Nikki has had to pay for four of them herself

* Mobility scooter - vital for nikkis situation as she cannot drive and cannot walk far but needs to escape traffic noise where she lives which continually causes seizures and sleep deprivation leaving nikkis body on a constant state of fight flight, impacting her health and immune system. Nikki previously had a scooter but ut was destroyed in a house fire along with all her medical equipment. It has taken two years to find a suitable affordable replacement but is already changing nikkis life for the better

Long term Nikki also hopes to receive stem cells and further immune treatment (probably overseas once the pandemic allows for travel again). The immune treatment in 2019 helped significantly and will help post surgery to rebuild Nikki's immune system, and stem cells will help repair the long term damage to immune system, organs and brain from two decades of illness, infections, inflammation and disease

Nikki has been through so much, not only with illness but a house fire just four weeks after returning from overseas medical treatment in 2019, constant relocation/moving house for treatments, living in unsuitable environments due to lack of housing/funds/health to make alternative choices, she has missed out on relationships, career, family functions, even being able to catch up with friends is mostly beyond her. It's time she was given a chance at the most basic elements of life that most take for granted!

We are so grateful for your support! Thank you!

ABOUT NIKKI

I first met Nikki when I moved to New Zealand 11 years ago to do a ski season, and she needed a housemate and she has been one of my closest friends since. Despite the fact that she’s so ill, she gives so much of her time to helping and being there for others. She is one of the kindest and most loyal friends I have ever had in my life, and it pains me to see her robbed of living a normal life in a healthy body. This is a person who was once a talented and ambitious age group athlete, scholarship veterinary student and talented musician and equestrian. She has motivation and talent to burn yet this illness has robbed her of nearly 20 years and of everything most take for granted - completing a degree, earning a living, travelling, socialising, meeting a partner, starting a family, continuing her sporting career. I truly hope these new treatment options will make her 100% better!

Thank you so much

VIDEOS

Nikki has an amazing singing voice but rarely gets to use it. This is video of her singing Nella Fantasia in a rare better moment but then (hard but necessary to watch), clips of what she endures following the slightest exertion. Her illness needs to be cured so this voice can be shared with the world, not quashed by illness!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COE-yvFZ9Z4

Nikki singing along to Nessun Dorma ... then sharing the reality of the following days:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-8gJ1Fk6vY