A 29-year-old mum says she has been forced to pay to have her womb removed after being left in constant pain for four years.
Emma Jamieson suffers with stage four endometriosis and says she has been trying to have her voice heard for years, but has never been able to undergo any operation due to a long NHS waiting list.
Because of her chronic pain, she has had to take days off work and had to change her eating habits to relieve her symptoms, Teesside Live reports.
The mum-of-one, from Middlesbrough, has now opted to seek private healthcare for the "life-changing surgery", which will cost her at least £12,500.
The woman, who works as a senior clerk at a transport company, explained: "It all started really about four to five years ago and I kept going to the doctors for period pain.
"It was an awful abdomen pain all the time."
She was reportedly told that it was "probably ovarian cysts" which are "really common and it was nothing to worry about" - but Emma knew something was not right as her cycle "went crazy".
After one year of dealing with the pain, she was sent for an ultrasound scan which identified a cyst on her right ovary and a "chocolate cyst" on her left ovary.
Chocolate cysts, also known as ovarian endometriomas, are a type of ovarian cyst seen in some women with endometriosis.
The cyst was 2.5cm big, but Emma said doctors "weren't concerned" as it wasn't over 4cm.
Due to her chronic pain, she often had to visit hospitals and her condition affected all aspects of her life, including exercising and taking sick days from work.
In 2019, she had an ultrasound scan and found out she had kissing ovaries - a sign most frequently seen in the severe form of pelvic endometriosis.
Emma said she was shocked by the diagnosis and was then referred to an endometriosis specialist.
She was given a contraceptive pill which she describes as a "life ruiner" after "bleeding everyday for six months".
Emma has also told how she has stopped eating red meat and dairy , as well as drinking alcohol, in order to stop "flare ups" of her pain.
She said she felt "lost in the system" after a number of specialist appointments were cancelled.
One month ago, the specialist ordered a laparoscopy - keyhole surgery - which had a devastating two-year waiting list, but Emma was given few options on how to relieve her symptoms while waiting for the operation.
Her best friend Sophiemay Bird said: "At this appointment the doctor informed her that the waiting list was two years, and one of the best ways to relieve the symptoms was to get pregnant.
"But had just informed her that her fertility rates had been massively impacted and that pregnancies, when you have stage four, could result in ectopic pregnancies and have a much higher chance of miscarriage.
"She said she was prepared to have a full hysterectomy.
"The doctor implied it wasn’t the right choice because she may want another child, but god forbid she make this decision for herself."
Emma therefore came to the decision to have a full hysterectomy, stating: "This is not a decision I have taken lightly.
"Me and my partner have had several conversations about it and we're done having children.
"We don't want any more kids as it's not just me that has to go through it. I feel incredibly lucky to have already have a child.
"A hysterectomy is not a cure because they can take everything out but it could be on my nerves, my pelvic wall, my bowel."
She added: "It's been four year story of trying to speak louder and louder to have my voice heard."
Emma spoke to a specialist in Birmingham who "listened, acknowledged and agreed" with her decision and Emma is set to undergo an MRI to see the extent of her endometriosis.
However, the private care costs of surgery, along with two nights in hospital, is estimated at around £12,500.
Emma - who has been sharing her journey on Instagram - is planning to fund her surgery with a loan or payment plan as she could have a full hysterectomy in under two months.
Her best friend Sophiemay Bird told how she has "watched a determined, strong, self-built woman be brought down by endometriosis".
She created a GoFundMe page to help Emma with the costs of the operation and has so far rased £950.
To donate to the fundraiser, click here.
