Lee Young-ju | Member of CMM Christian Medical Mutual Aid Society, Resident of New Jersey
Above all, since this is the work of God, I give thanks and glory to Him. Furthermore, because the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association provided such tremendous help, I am writing this testimony to express my gratitude.
I underwent surgery for uterine fibroids around the end of December 2016. Since then, I have continued to have regular checkups, and the results have consistently shown no abnormalities. However, starting in the summer of 2022, I began experiencing occasional excruciating lower back pain, sharp stabbing pains in my lower abdomen, and a sensation as if there were a rock in my lower abdomen, accompanied by heavy bleeding with large clots, which caused me a great deal of distress.
I thought it would eventually go away, but because the pain persisted, I went to an OB/GYN for a checkup during my visit to Korea last January. The doctor recommended immediate surgery for the fibroids, but since the Lunar New Year holiday was coming up and my departure date was already set, I returned to the United States. Later, through a referral from a church member, I met with a doctor and received treatment.
The doctor explained that while the uterine fibroids were an issue, my lower back pain was caused by the uterus being pushed backward and compressing a nerve, and the pain in my right ovary was due to it being attached to the uterus. So the doctor recommended surgery, but the cost was astronomical. My initial consultation fee in Korea was 70,000 won, but in the U.S., it was over $900. They told me that while the surgery would cost about 1 million won in Korea, in the U.S., I would have to pay over $40,000 upfront before they would even perform the procedure.
I was in a truly difficult and confusing situation, but thanks to the calm and kind guidance from the counselor at the Christian Medical Mutual Aid Association, the preparations for my surgery were completed quickly. The medical bills from the surgery were so high—enough to buy a car—but I am so grateful for the practical help you provided when I felt completely lost.
And yesterday, I went to hear the results of my surgery. The doctor told me he had almost decided to call off the surgery. I have an 18-centimeter scar on my abdomen from a serious accident in 2015. For laparoscopic surgery, they need to make three incisions (though they ended up making four) to insert the instruments, but he said there was no space available because of that scar. However, he told me that he managed to find a very small opening through which to access the uterus and was able to completely remove the fibroids.
Through the help and prayers of so many people, I experienced what God has done. It was all by God’s grace—both finding my uterus through a very narrow opening thanks to the wisdom God gave, rather than the doctor’s own wisdom, and the successful surgery itself. Though I’m not a skilled writer, I’m grateful to be able to share this moving experience exactly as it happened and to bring you this good news. Please continue to pray for my recovery. Thank you.