Fibroids and Endometriosis
In April 2017, after bleeding in
between periods, I found out I had 3 fibroids measuring 1.7 cm, 4.7 cm and 5.7
cm and a small cyst on my left ovary. Did I know what they were? Of course not!
The doctor went further to enquire about my family planning timeline as he
encouraged me to get pregnant within a year and then proceed to remove them
within the next 2-3 years.
So first things first, what are
fibroids? Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb
(uterus). The growths are made up of muscle and fibrous tissue and vary in
size.
Having a child isn't an option
as I am an unmarried Christian woman which means sex outside of marriage is a
sin. I made the decision to engage in watchful waiting for the remainder of the
year. How fast could they possibly grow within a year?
So let us fast forward to January
2018. I realized my tummy was protruding like that of a woman in her second
trimester of pregnancy, I was unable to hold my urine for extended periods, I
was lethargic, nauseous and just uncomfortable in every aspect of the word. I
had my first period when I was 10 years old. For as long as I can remember, I am
always having terrible cramps. However, this particular period was the worst by
farrrrr. I was curled up in a ball in my mother’s living room swallowing pain
killer after pain killer while praying, surely I was going to die. My abdomen and lower back felt as
though someone was inside running around with a saw recklessly and ripping them a part, I couldn’t eat, lay still or
stand. It was horrible! I have heavy flows that
typically last between 7-9 days. It was
during this period that my doctors made the decision to stop my period until
after the surgery.
I was referred by my GP to
deliver my “babies”, it was time. I visited a gynae, one of the best
I was told, and was ordered to do another ultrasound and by this time the
fibroids were now 7.1 x 5.7 cm, 6.8 cm submucosal and 5.2 cm. The endometrium was distorted. I was made aware of my options: surgery or surgery lol and so I
opted for surgery – a myomectomy which is a surgical procedure to remove
fibroids while the uterus remains preserved so that I could retain my
reproductive potential for my many children to come ☺☺. I was excited because
FINALLY I would be able to go back to my normal routine of living.
Two weeks before the surgery, I began
feeling a burning sensation in my lower left abdomen; I visited my gynae and
was informed that it could be a urinary tract infection. She prescribed some
meds and sent me to do a test to confirm/dispel her theory. I stopped at the
pharmacy that very evening because there was no way I could possible survive
the night without some pain relievers. I took the meds as prescribed and I was
up the entire night in pain, it’s one of those pains that have you twisting and
turning whenever you close your eyes in an attempt to respond to your body’s
need to sleep. It was awful! I went to the hospital the following morning. They
did their checks as well and believed too that it could be a urinary tract
infection even though all of their tests came back negative. I did an
ultrasound but the docs were unable to see into my pelvic region because my large
fibroids were blocking them. I got morphine, voltaren and Panadol, the pain was
consistent. I was later sent home with pain killers that night with a suspected
case of urinary tract infection. It was difficult to get to work each morning
as I was always tired and having some level of discomfort. I feared eating
because I didn’t want to throw up or deal with being nauseous. The nature of my
job requires that I respond to internal and external customers on the minute daily. It was
difficult but the grace of God carried me.
Surgery Day! – So long bye bye Fibroids! ☺☺☺
March 22, 2018 was one of the
happiest days of my life. My life will finally go back to being normal and I
will never have to go through this again or so I thought. I went in, was prep
for surgery and then I was off. I left for surgery around 8:30 p.m. My mother and
aunt was with me, they told me I was brought back to my room around 12:30 a.m.
I remember opening my eyes for the first time at 4 a.m. but fell back asleep. I
later woke up with what seemed to be a smile on my face and in my
heart…FINALLY! Lol I touched my tummy to confirm that they were actually taken
out. My doc did the usual patient visit to update me on how the surgery went.
Before she even spoke a word, I rehearsed it. “Ms. Brown, your surgery was a
success and it went well. After 6 weeks, you will be able to return to your
regular activities but please be patient with your healing process.”
It didn't go quite as planned. She came in my room and asked chirpily, “How
are you feeling Ms. Brown?” to which I
responded, “I am feeling great!” she then further stated, “Well I removed 8 fibroids,
a cyst on your left ovary and I found some endometriosis but we can talk about
that later.” I was a bit surprised but hey, it sounded like she found that “endo
thing” and dealt with it. If I could, I would have had a celebration…so long
bye bye Fibroids!
Well…hello Endometriosis *rolls eyes*
My period came two weeks after
the surgery with a vengeance! I went back to my gynae, who gave me three
injections for the pain and to slow down the bleeding. I thought this was just
a part of the process. I went for my 6 weeks check up when my doctor explained
to me what exactly transpired in the surgery. I was informed that my biggest
fibroid measured 12 cm and I had 5 large fibroids stacked on top of each other
and 3 smaller fibroids located in the cervix. My blood pressure escalated in
the surgery but I was given meds and was stabilized quickly. I didn’t have
cancer *do the cancer-free dance*. Typically, there is a 5 year window before
the fibroids return. I was informed that I have stage 3 endometriosis. Endometriosis
is a condition in which the endometrium, the layer of tissue that normally
covers the inside of the uterus, grows outside of it. Most often this is on the
ovaries, fallopian tubes and tissue around the uterus and ovaries; however in
rare cases it may also occur in other parts of the body. Endometriosis has 4
stages which are evaluated by the location, extent and depth of the endometrial
implants, presence and size of endometriomas (chocolate cysts – gets its name
because over time the blood inside of the cyst turns dark red and brown) and
severity of adhesions: Stage 1 – Minimal, Stage 2 – Mild, Stage 3 – Moderate
and stage 4 – Severe. That was the cause for the burning pain/sensation I had
prior to surgery, endometriomas located on my left ovary. They
removed as much of the endometrial implant as they could but they couldn’t
remove everything.
So now, what’s the way forward?
They decided to stop my period for 3 months to allow the uterus to heal – my
womb is basically in a menopausal state where there is no activity so as to
prevent any endometrial tissue spreading and causing more adhesion while the
uterus heals itself. I was told that after the 3 months, I should not be in any
pain when menstruating. I laughed so hard when my doc said that. I couldn’t
process his words…no pain…lol well I am still in Month 1, I will update you and
let you know if it was mere theory.
My Mental Capacity
Now this is where the cookie and
everything else crumbled. I just had enough energy and strength within me to
deal with fibroids and all its complications. Now here I am, my fibroid journey
was finish, but I was starting a new journey without warning. I was confused. I
cried bitterly before the Lord. I became very vulnerable. I cried for days.
Lord you saw how I struggled with fibroids, the sleepless nights, constant
discomfort, weight loss…everything! Lord you more than anyone else knows my
insecurities. As I sit in bed and write this blog in the wee hours of the
morning, exactly 2 months after surgery I keep adjusting my sitting position as
the tenderness and hardness of the wound is a constant reminder of my current
reality. How will I deal with this? No man will want a woman with so many
issues and complexities. I felt alone and hurt. I was disappointed. It was
through this period I started studying the scriptures intentionally for a word
of comfort. It was through this journey that the spirit of the Lord reminded me
that I wasn’t alone and his plans for me are perfect and complete. I should
trust Him. Many have gone before me with similar issues and he delivered them.
Women such as Hannah, Sarah and Rachel have proven that the Lord can be
trusted, he is still in control and He is close to the broken-hearted. I found
this funny but I was reminded that the similarities between these women are
that they were all married and I am single. I was reminded to not become consumed or overly concerned
with issues that I am not in the season to really address or demonstrate
the power and glory of God. Because of who God is and who we are to Him, we can
pray with confidence, as beloved children speaking to a loving father. We can
persist in prayer with unwavering peace, trusting that God is at work even if
we do not receive an immediate answer. So as you wait upon God in prayer, don’t
let despair set in. instead, press on with God’s promise that He is working “in
you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13)
I will admit that I still
struggle with accepting that I have endometriosis and what this really means
for my future. There are good days when I am sure that God will deliver me and
help me and there are days when my heart become overwhelmed especially after
reading and seeing how this illness have destroyed lives, relationships and
self worth. As I reflect over my life, there is ALWAYS something happening. I
felt drained and emotionally exhausted. I am tired of doctors and I tired over all. There is a will and desire within me, not merely to survive but to live and thrive.
Be Encouraged…not by might nor power but by the Spirit of God
(Zachariah 4:6)
A common question asked by my
many is, “God why am I going through this?” Most ask this question out of deep
hurt, a longing for God to reveal himself or from a place of bitterness. When
the disciples encountered a blind man from birth, they asked Jesus a similar
question, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?
Essentially they were asking, who is to be blamed for this man’s affliction?
Most Jews believed that illness was a direct result of sin. Jesus responded in
John 9:3, ‘this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
Similarly, in Exodus 9:16 where the Lord allowed Pharaoh’s heart to be hardened
so that he might demonstrate his power and his name proclaimed.
So as we encounter this red sea
moment/season, let us be reminded that our strength and might did not take us
this far but the Spirit of our Lord and Saviour, all to His glory and praise.
Lord I give you my desires, intentions and I yield all my worship to you.
Keep pressing and keep going –
trusting in our Sovereign God. It's very beneficial to have a support base that will talk with you when you are having a break down and encourage you. People who will be able to encourage you and not treat you less than a person after hearing you vent. Also be an encourager, I like to encourage people. It does make me feel better as well but invest your time in others and make a decision each day to live and not merely survive.
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