A little known condition affecting my family...

My girlfriend, who I am totally devoted and committed to, is currently suffering from a condition called Adhesion Related Disorder (ARD) which affects her entire abdominal area. And she has no insurance. She is one of those people we in America like to call uninsurable. And not just because of the ARD, but because of other unfortunate circumstances in her life as well. I'll get back to that another time.

For now, I want you to know about ARD, so here’s some information about this disorder (you may find this too boring and technical, but it describes the disorder pretty well):
Adhesions, otherwise known as scar tissue, are fibrous bands that form at the site of injury. Since surgery is injury (trauma) to the body, adhesions form at the site of incision. Adhesions occur in up to 93% of those undergoing abdominal or pelvic surgery. Though adhesions cause no problems for most post surgery patients, other patients may find themselves experiencing excruciating, often debilitating, pain due to adhesions that have not only formed at the site of incision, but have continued to develop, sometimes years after surgery, causing internal organs to become fused together.
Adhesions can cause loss of flexibility by preventing the intended and natural fluid movement of internal organs. The scar tissue pulls the organs together and away from their normal positions.
When the intestines become involved, the victim of this disorder may experience abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Adhesions are the number one cause of bowel obstructions, as the scar tissue kinks or twists around the bowel, preventing the flow of content through the digestive tract. When a bowel obstruction occurs, pain (often excruciating), nausea and vomiting will likely follow as the content moves its way back up, unable to flow freely through the constricted bowel. A bowel obstruction is a medical emergency which could result in death without medical intervention.
Symptoms:
Adhesions above the liver may cause pain with deep breathing.
Intestinal adhesions may cause pain due to obstruction during exercise or when stretching.
Adhesions involving the vagina or uterus may cause pain during intercourse.
Pericardial adhesions may cause chest pain.
It is important to note that not all pain is caused by adhesions and not all adhesions cause pain.
Small bowel obstruction (intestinal blockage) due to adhesions is a surgical emergency.
These adhesions trigger waves of cramp like pain in the stomach. This pain, which can last seconds to minutes, often worsens if food is eaten, which increases activity of the intestines.
Once the pain starts, vomiting may occur. This often relieves the pain.
The stomach may become tender and progressively bloated.
There may be high-pitched tinkling bowel sounds from the abdomen, accompanied by increased gas and loose stools.
Fever is usually minimal.
Such intestinal blockage can correct itself. However, one must see a doctor. If the blockage progresses, these conditions may develop:
 The bowel stretches further.
 Pain becomes constant and severe.
 Bowel sounds disappear.
 Gas and bowel movements stop.
 Belly will grow.
 Fever may increase.
 Further progression can tear the intestinal wall and contaminate the abdominal cavity with bowel contents.
The intestines can also have their blood supply compromised by adhesions causing a lack of oxygen to the tissues, resulting in pain from ischemic changes similar to that encountered in the heart during a heart attack.