In 2010, I found out I had fibroids. I cried and felt so alone. Like I didn’t really have anyone to talk to. Though, the possibility of me having fibroids were mentioned in 1995, when I was pregnant with my daughter. The doctor said, “maybe you might have fibroids”. “Do I?” I never received a definite answer no did I pursue the matter. I guess I should have. I did not want the thought of anything wrong with my body.
As time passed by, I began experiencing heavier bleeding than normal. It became sporadic. My doctor at the time, told me I was experiencing menopause. Though, this menopause was lasting several years. My hot flashes were sometimes unbearable, my body needed more rest, my mind was constantly on my body. I often wondered when the next episode of heavy bleeding would occur. It seems that every two years it came out of no where; home, work, in the car…
After one examination by my PCP, she told me that she felt a fibroid the size of a baby. She referred me to a OB/GYN. The OB/GYN I chose to see delivered my son years ago. In 2019, I went through the same process as I did in 2010, mammogram and ultrasound; this time a biopsy. The fibroids had increased in size. In December 2019, my worst nightmare took place on the Metro train going to Chicago, IL, on my way to work. I waited until everyone left the train, and I immediately went to the restroom inside the train station. I stayed there until the next train was headed to Aurora, IL. I called my husband and told him meet me at the train station. It was awful!
My doctor had already told me I was a candidate for fibroid embolization, whereas, the blood vessels supplying the fibroids, are blocked. This causes the fibroids to shrink and eventually die off. My surgery date was set for February, 2020. On the day of the surgery, my blood pressure was too high to proceed with the surgery. The surgeon and anesthesiologists both agreed that the surgery would put me at risk. I went home. I believed that this had to be a sign, with COVID-19 being on the rise at the same time. I really didn’t want to be in the hospital anyway.
During COVID-19, I had time to pray more about my situation. God increased my faith and gave me the answer that was designed for me. I made a decision. In 2023, I saw. my OB/GYN, and started the process of examination again. I saw a second doctor, who advised me that I was making the right decision. The fibroids had grown larger along with the multiple fibroids I was carrying around.
In November 2023, I had the surgery that relieved me of my mass of fibroids and two largest fibroids. The surgeon who performed the surgery explained to me and my family the morning of the surgery that the largest fibroid was the size of a 6-month old baby’s head, already born. I was in awe. We prayed for the doctor and prior to the surgery. God blessed me. Everything was fine!!! God is so good, and I am grateful.