This Isn’t a Vacation—It’s Survival: Paige’s Journey to Endo Surgery Abroad
Paige Marsh is a 26-year-old ICU nurse from Edmonton, Alberta. As someone who advocates daily for her patients in high-stress medical environments, she never imagined she'd have to fight so hard for her own care. Diagnosed with endometriosis in 2023 after months of debilitating symptoms and delays, Paige was faced with a system that offered little more than medical menopause at 25 and no real solutions. Refusing to accept that this was her only option, Paige made a bold decision that changed everything: she left Canada and flew halfway across the world for life-changing surgery.
Paige’s Story
Working in the healthcare system here in Canada, I am well aware of the peaks and downfalls of the system. That being said, I never imagined that I would be one of the people who falls through the cracks. I advocate for my patients every single day, and now I am the patient and no one was advocating for me. It was extremely frustrating and honestly, really saddening. After months of waiting for a gynaecologist to accept me, all I was given was multiple medications to put me into medical menopause at the age of 25, and they refused to provide me with pain medication as they “did not believe in prescribing pain medication”. I would have my mom come with me to my appointments because even she did not believe what I was being told.
No matter how much I cried, how much I pleaded that this condition was ruining my life, it got me nowhere.
I had to fight for an MRI, which (go figures) showed extensive endo all over my pelvis. Even with these results, I waited over a year for a surgical consultation here in Canada, only to be told that the surgeon was then taking a year off and I would have to start the process all over again. It was devastating.
I decided to freeze my eggs at age 25-26 (2 rounds of egg freezing as the first round was unsuccessful) and I began looking at private surgical clinics in Canada. The only one I could find turned me down, stating my condition was too far advanced for their expertise.
All of these factors together are what drove me to seek help abroad, and to find someone who genuinely wanted to help me.
Going to Greece was the best decision I have ever made, and Dr. Kyriakopoulos validated every feeling and emotion I ever needed. The emotional release after an appointment with a healthcare professional that you don’t have to plead with, who automatically believes you and creates a plan for you is unexplainable.
No one should ever have to feel like they’re crazy, or like they’re a burden for advocating for themselves. In the words of my surgeon, “if we don’t listen to women saying they’re having period pain, the world will never change”.
Paige’s Insight
Follow your intuition. If you know something isn’t right, find someone that will listen to you
Don’t be afraid to make big decisions for your best interest. It can be really scary, but it’s very much so validating and worth it
You don’t deserve to be turned away and ignored, no one does
Your health and wellbeing are worth more than money. I know the out-of-pocket cost of egg freezing and surgery abroad is extremely daunting, but it will all work out in the long run. Nothing is worth more than your wellbeing
Your support system is more important than you think. Surgery is extremely emotionally and physically exhausting, and your support system is so crucial in helping you navigate this
The system here is broken and it needs to be addressed; women’s health needs to be at the forefront of priority, not a secondary thought
-Paige Marsh
