Mum-of-three Rae Holfter will pay $7k out of pocket to have a hysterectomy in August to cure herself of adenomyosis

A northern suburbs mum-of-three has taken her health into her own hands after doctors were unable to discover what was wrong with her.

Rae Holfter with her husband Gavin and their youngest of three kids, Amali, the day after her birth. Picture: Supplied

A northern-suburbs mum-of-three has taken matters into her own hands after she was faced with a waitlist of multiple years in excruciating pain.

Rae Holfter will pay $7000 out of pocket to have a hysterectomy in August to cure herself of adenomyosis — a gynaecological condition that causes endometrial tissue in the lining of the uterus to grow into the muscular wall of the uterus — which took medical professionals over a year to diagnose.

“My uterus didn’t go back down to its normal size after my C-section so it’s enlarged,” the 34-year-old said.

The condition causes uncontrollable bleeding and agonising abdominal pain.

Rae and Gavin Holfter with their kids Amali (2), Ephram (13), and Aeyla (4). Picture: Supplied

Rae Holfter was diagnosed with adenomyosis after she had her third baby. Picture: Supplied

Since Ms Holfter had her third C-section, two years ago, she continued to experience extremely heavy bleeding and clotting unlike her previous pregnancies.

“It’s been a period pretty much everyday or at least two or three weeks out of the month instead of one week,” the Elizabeth mum said.

“It definitely makes you feel exhausted. You can’t function the way you would normally or the way you would want to as a mum and a wife … you never know how you’re going to feel when you get up that day.

“It’s intense cramping, sometimes it’s aching or burning type pain in my lower abdomen and then the bleeding is very on and off.

“I started Googling the symptoms and came across adenomyosis and I’d never heard of it before.”

Since Rae had her third C-section, two years ago, she has continued to experience extremely heavy bleeding and clotting – unlike her previous pregnancies. Picture: Supplied

Ms Holfter had continually returned to the emergency department with her symptoms but had been dismissed after she was treated.

She was told she would wait years before seeing a gynaecologist in the public system so she decided to pay out-of-pocket to see one privately because she didn’t have private health.

After over a year of being dismissed by doctors she finally was diagnosed with suspected adenomyosis and scheduled for a full hysterectomy in August.

“They’re completely opening me back up and they are removing the entire uterus and tubes, they’re leaving my ovaries,” Ms Holfter said.

“We are finished having our family, I don’t need my uterus anymore. It’s only causing me issues and pain, and I’m excited to have it gone as much as I’m nervous for the surgery and honestly it’s the only cure … and it’s the only definitive diagnosis at the same time.

“It’s affecting my everyday life and the longer I leave it the worse it’s going to get.”

Rae was diagnosed with suspected adenomyosis and is scheduled for a full hysterectomy in August 2024. Picture: Supplied

If Rae cannot afford to pay for her surgery out of pocket, she will have to wait for the public system to accommodate her. Picture: Supplied

The mum-of-three is looking forward to regaining her life back following the surgery if she finds the funds to cover it.

If it comes to August 2 and she is unable to pay for it, she will have to wait the years she said it may take to funnel through the public system.

A spokesperson from SA Health said there are approximately 400 patients across our state who are waiting to have a hysterectomy with SA Health.

“Thirty-six of these are overdue, with the remainder within recommended time frames to have a hysterectomy based on their clinical urgency,” they said.

“Over 700 of these procedures were performed last year. We appreciate it can be an anxious time waiting for a surgery date. Patients with concerns or who notice changes should always speak with their GP or clinician.”

If you’d like to donate to Ms Holfter, you can here.