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Pam urgently needs life-saving surgery overseas

$77,600 of $100,000 goal

Given by 669 generous donors in around 6 months

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Give Pam a second chance at life

Athenree, Bay Of Plenty

Pam, husband Jon and boys Benny (8yrs) & Ollie (6yrs) are a family from the Bay of Plenty. Prior to Pam becoming severely unwell in August 2021, she was active, adventurous, had a wonderful small business and her whole life ahead of her.

Now, in March 2024, after a grueling 2.5yrs and counting, Pam is fighting for her life and finally has some answers.

Pam has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (classical; cEDS). EDS is a genetic connective tissue disease that affects her entire body. Pam is severely affected and suffers from co-occurring conditions, one of which is a confirmed diagnoses of the rare Abdominal Vascular Compression Syndromes (AVCS).

Specifically, Pam suffers from NCS (Nutcracker Syndrome), MTS (May-Thurner Syndrome), MALS (Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome) and SMAS (Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome).

EDS and AVCS are extremely misunderstood in NZ and there is little to no treatment for it here. Health insurance is also of no use.

Pam battles daily with debilitating abdominal & pelvic pain, fatigue, migraines, tinnitus and nausea to name a few. She is malnourished and has been tube-fed via different methods since April 2022. Pam's quality of life is so reduced, she can barely make it out of bed these last few months. She is deteriorating quickly.

The only option is to undergo life-saving surgery in Germany, which comes at a huge cost.

For her full story, please search Facebook for "Pam’s Positively Full Life", as the space available in this description is very limited.

Renee Taylor's involvement (page creator)

Pam is my sister

Use of funds

The cost of surgery, immediate after-care overseas, travel costs, further medical costs when home in NZ etc. Our main goal is ambitious; any funds, even if not reaching the full amount, helps immensely.

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Further diagnosis, surgery and Germany so far 30 July 2024

Well supporters, if you didn't know already, Pam has travelled to Germany and had surgery! This update is to let you all know that everything so far has gone well, although further intricacies were found with Pam's health, at least she has more answers than questions now! Please follow Pam's Positively Full Life on Facebook for further detailed updates.

In a nutshell, Dr Scholbach in Leipzig was her first key to information and validation. He is such a kind and knowledgeable man and has been doing this for 24 years. The major thing that Pam took from him was that he didn't only look to find compressions, but what was causing them. Leading to a long list of things and a number of issues she must investigate on top of the compressions, hopefully even while she's there in a health system that is more supportive.

Pam celebrated her birthday in Dusseldorf 2 days before surgery, with a whole day's rest, then a short afternoon river cruise and "dinner" with a view.

Fast-forward to Mon 22 July in Dusseldorf, and Pam meets with Prof Sandmann, her surgeon, late that evening (pictured with Pam in this update). The next day is surgery, and you'll be pleased to hear it went well with no complications.

As of today, Pam is 7-days post surgery and while there are ups and downs as to be expected, she is doing amazingly well so far. She is eating and drinking small amounts of food which is incredible! For someone on a tube for 2.5yrs, this is unbelievable.

Thank you for everything! xoxo

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