MY STORY
I suffered with fibroids for at least 10 years (that I knew of). By the time I was diagnosed, I had two the size of grapefruits. The doctor asked me 3 times if I was “suuurre” I wasn’t pregnant. (Insert eyeroll here). After reassuring her that I wasn’t, her response was “well either you’re pregnant or you have fibroids”. At this time I didn’t have any noticeable symptoms or problems and didn’t even really know what fibroids were. This was discovered during a gynecological exam after going for longer than I should have without having one. After an ultrasound, it was decided that we would just “keep an eye on them" since they weren't giving me any trouble. Fast forward a few years, I began noticing that my periods were becoming heavier, lasting longer and more painful. I never really dealt with cramping or any issues related to my monthly cycle so when I began having symptoms, it was noticeable. I especially noticed how my bladder seemed to have shrunk to half its size because the fibroids were pressing up against it. I lived in the bathroom! I explored treatment options but was not a fan of major surgery. I am a very active person, in good shape, still play full court basketball with some other washed up female athletes and was not interested in going under the knife voluntarily. Although I was in my mid thirties and still healthy enough to have a child, I knew that was not in the cards for me but I still didn’t want to have a hysterectomy.
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My doctor and I decided to try the embolism procedure, where they cut off the blood supply to the fibroids using a catheter through a vein in your leg. The PLAN was for the fibroids to shrink and hopefully one day get small enough for me to pass them or just die off and be a non factor. That plan failed. I guess my fibroids were beyond the point of shrinkage because although my cycles got a little better, that didn’t last. A few years after the embolism procedure, we discovered that another fibroid had developed and my uterus was basically full of fibroids. Even heavier and longer periods returned and I had a nice little pooch that no amount of sit ups would get rid of. According to another ultrasound, my uterus was tilted, enlarged and had been stretched as if I was 5 months pregnant with triplets. So although I had decided that I wasn’t going to have children of my own, for YEARS I had been carrying around fibroid tumors in my body with no due date. At the age of 44, I decided it was time to give birth! Actually it was beyond time to get my life back and get rid of the physical burden I had carried around for well over 10 years; along with the emotional and mental burdens that came with it. After further consultation with my doctor who I am convinced was sent straight to me from God because of the way we met, I decided to have a hysterectomy. Total abdominal, turned over everything but my ovaries. Due date set for 02-10-20!
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My decision was followed by months of uncomfortable and even painful tests, biopsies, ultrasounds and everything you have to do to actually get to the operating table. I was so ready to get everything out of me as my surgery date approached. I had gone down the rabbit hole of You Tube videos and read so much on the procedure, I could have done it myself! I was scheduled for surgery right before all of the hospitals shut down to elective procedures because of Covid. It was undoubtedly the best thing to happen to me in 2020 because as we all know life was all downhill from there right?! Actually, being on leave and then that leave getting turned into work from home was a blessing.
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Although I almost went nuts because my quarantine started early, I am thankful for the forced down time. One of the awesome unintended benefits was that I got locked down in Memphis with my parents. As soon as I could drive, I had planned what was supposed to be a quick trip to look at some different walls and get out of my house. It turned into 2 months of family bonding as states began locking down and the fight for toilet tissue and paper towels began! I actually had time to focus on healing instead of worrying about getting back to work.
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Let me be clear, I am speaking on behalf of myself and my personal journey. I am sharing my story for the sole purpose of helping others who may be going through something similar and needing to decide which way to go. I have other friends who have had hysterectomies and their stories were just as successful as mine. There are also stories and videos (that I don’t recommend you watch before surgery, trust me) where people didn’t have good experiences. Every case is different. My job as a coach is to be transparent about MY experience. And just to reiterate, I would do all over again despite the pain and feeling like I would never be able to sit up on my own in the first few days after surgery. I am a butterfly and I have the tattoo to prove it!
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As a coach, I want to help you make that same transformation if surgery is the path you decide to take. Even if you don’t have a hysterectomy and just want help managing fibroids or educating yourself on becoming healthier and stronger before, during or after any treatment. Some women don’t have any idea they even have fibroids, have healthy lives, eat well, exercise and they don’t have any problematic symptoms. Women like myself and countless others struggle for most of their child bearing years. Those who can’t get pregnant because of fibroids have an especially hard time.
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I talked to several people before I came to my decision. I’m a woman who always goes with her gut, but I value the opinions of those that I trust. I got advice that ranged from, “girl do it, get your life back” to “don’t let those people take your uterus!" Some people told me that I need to naturally cure the fibroids which I believe whole-heartedly works in some situations and if you can find non-surgical options that work, I support you 100%. However, I personally was beyond something that may have helped early in my journey with fibroids. I was older, not going to have any kids and basically feeling like a prisoner in my own body. So for ME, this is what I felt like I needed to do. I would never tell a woman what to do in her situation, but I am here to coach you and guide you to come up with your own solution. I am here to educate you, help you process all available options and support you in whatever decision you make about your body. Remember I'm not only your coach, I'm also your number one cheerleader no matter what because we are truly all in this together!
