Funding for Endometriosis Surgery

My name is Laura Cone. I am 29, married, and live with my husband in Saskatoon. Since turning 12 I have been controlled by an ever-worsening invisible illness called Endometriosis, or "Endo". I have spent more time in emergency rooms and doctors offices than most people could ever imagine. I have been on drug therapies, and had my body wracked by hormone treatments. I had 4 unsuccessful surgeries before finally deciding to seek alternative treatment with a world-renowned surgeon in Atlanta, even though I had already been denied funding by the Saskatchewan goverment. The Ministry of Health determined that I would be able to access similar treatment here. I waited on a wait list for over a year before having to once again get major surgery. After this surgery was once again unsuccessful, I knew that I could no longer deal with Canadian wait lists and "temporary" treatments. The simple fact is that Canadian physicians do not understand endometriosis and all of it's inner-workings in the same way that a renowned Excision specialist does. Their first option is still disease suppression through awful, life altering drug therapies, and it is unacceptable.

Because of my experience and passion, I am working to help other women in Saskatchewan avoid the trauma I had to go through, and to educate health practicioners. Even though I was able to get excision surgery on June 4th, 2014, the permenant damage my body incurred because of the extent and duration of my diesase, is still affecting my life, and possibly always will. Daily pain is a life changing and exhausting process, and something that is unexplainable to those who do not go though it. If I had been able to access better care earlier, there is a large chance that the permenant damage done to my body and system wouldn't have been so extensive.

This September, the Ministry once again denied my request to help with funding for my surgery. My father took a loan against his home to support my surgery funding, and my husband and I are scraping to support my needed therapies as well as pay the bills. This petition is a cry for the injustice of the health system, determining that my needs are not worthy while they let others through. If I hadn't gone to Atlanta, I would still be bedridden and contiually worsening. As it is, although I still live with daily pain, I am able for the first time in years to live and enjoy my life--being able to take a walk around the block is a gift that the CEC (Center for Endometriosis Care) in Atlanta gave me, and one that the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health is still denying me. This is unacceptable. Please sign and forward this petition to get the goverment to give us funding for this surgery, which has costed upwards of $50,000. 

Please check out and share my gofundme page http://www.gofundme.com/7h0lrk