This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
July 29, 2019, marked the beginning of World Fibroids Awareness Month, a time to shed light on a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. For media personality Grace Msalame, this month holds a special significance as she shares her personal story of living with fibroids.
Grace, a mother of two, recalls how she initially ignored her body's warning signs, despite knowing something was amiss. 'My fibroid showed 2 years ago, so the doctor suggested we just ignore it. He said it would disappear and sure enough it did,' she recalls.
However, last year, Grace started experiencing heavy bleeding, which lasted for 7-8 days, accompanied by painful cramps. It was then that she knew she couldn't ignore her body's signals anymore. 'I knew something was wrong, but I was afraid of going to the doctor because I was afraid of him confirming the worst,' she admits.
When Grace finally mustered the courage to visit her doctor, she was shocked to learn that her fibroid had grown to 7 cm -10cm, with smaller ones surrounding it. 'I went through open surgery immediately,' she reveals, adding that the recovery process was tougher than she anticipated.
Grace's story serves as a reminder that fibroids can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. 'It was a journey and it affects your esteem, After the surgery it takes time to get back to your former body,' she says, emphasizing the importance of seeking medical attention at the earliest sign of symptoms.
