In my last post, I shared the revelation of my anemia diagnosis and the incredible care I received at Eastchester Cancer Center. Today, I'm opening up about a deeply personal chapter of my health journey – one that I hope will resonate with many of you, especially those who've felt silenced by cultural taboos or societal expectations.
For years, I've been fighting a silent war within my own body. Fibroids, those sneaky benign tumors, had taken up residence in my uterus, growing to significant sizes and wreaking havoc on my life. But that wasn't all – my body was a battlefield of reproductive health issues:
Endometriosis (a long-time foe)
Polyps (which I had lasered away years ago but decided to come back)
Chronic Menstrual Blood Loss (a term I coined for my extreme bleeding)
The symptoms were relentless:
Hourly pad and tampon changes
Debilitating pain
Dizziness
Exhaustion
A swollen belly that had strangers asking, "When are you due?"
(Spoiler: I wasn't)
Depression and resentment became my constant companions. Let's be real – looking pregnant when you're not is a special kind of emotional torture.
The repercussions on my quality of life were profound; I often missed social functions and family gatherings.
Turns out, my uterus was hosting more drama than a reality TV show – fibroids, polyps, endometriosis, AND adenomyosis. No wonder it was double the size it should be! Confronting these challenges led me to explore treatment options for fibroids, ranging from less invasive fibroid removal to the more drastic step of a hysterectomy.
After exhaustive discussions with my doctor and partner, I faced the big decision: hysterectomy.
As a Muslim woman who, while not religious, has always looked to my faith for guidance, the decision was fraught with cultural and religious complexities, amplified by societal pressures—especially as it meant relinquishing my ability to have children. However, after seeking guidance and reassurance in Islamic principles that emphasize a woman's health and well-being, I found confidence in my choice.
The days leading to surgery were filled with deep reflection and a strong sense of responsibility to prioritize my health, not just for myself, but for my family as well.
Opting for a Laparoscopic Supracervical Hysterectomy was a pivotal and life-saving decision for which I am immensely grateful.
Sharing my experience openly is crucial in shedding light on the prevalence of similar health issues among women in my community. These challenges are frequently overlooked due to cultural, religious, and societal stigmas, compounded by a lack of reproductive health education. Many women, particularly young mothers, remain unaware of conditions such as fibroids and often neglect routine gynecological care due to barriers, including difficulties in accessing female gynecologists.
Furthermore, economic, political, and psychosocial factors contribute to obstructing women's access to proper reproductive healthcare. The widespread misconception that common symptoms are normal has perpetuated the neglect of essential health concerns.
By opening sharing my experience, I hope to:
Shed light on common but often overlooked women's health issues
Challenge cultural, religious, and societal stigmas
Encourage routine gynecological care, especially among young mothers.
Highlight the importance of access to female gynecologists.
Address the economic, political, and psychosocial barriers to reproductive healthcare.
By sharing our stories, we create ripples of change. We offer solace to those suffering in silence and courage to those hesitant to seek help.
If you've had a similar experience or are dealing with reproductive health issues, I invite you to share your story in the comments. Your bravery could be the light someone else needs to seek the care they deserve.
Remember, prioritizing your health isn't selfish – it's necessary. You deserve to live a life free from chronic pain and hidden struggles.
XO!
Rehanna
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