Courtesy of Jonelle Henry
Jonelle Henry is a journalist, media consultant, and public speaker.
She serves as the Director of Programs for The White Dress Project.
A routine physical changed my life.
Courtesy of Jonelle Henry
I laughed it off, saying that I needed to cut the carbs.
But she looked closer.
Her insistence on investigating was the beginning of my journey with uterine fibroids.
My journey has been a little different from many.
After my doctors observation, I thought back.
I had felt something in my abdomen, but just assumed it was my intestines.
Having fibroids wasnt part of my plan.
Jonelle Henry
Would I bleed through my clothesagain?
I could never pack enough tampons and pads.
I started hiding under my clothes, wearing black because it was safe.
My heart sank and the conversation was a blur.
I felt like hiding and crying.
But the party reservations were made, and I decided to soldier on.
These were my tribe, my fiercest supporters.
An Overwhelming Diagnosis
Even with Gods promise, the reality of fibroids took its toll.
When I was diagnosed, we decided to monitor the fibroids and see what they did.
They continued to grow.
My periods continued to worsen.
I bled profusely, although without pain.
This natural part of my body was quickly becoming something I couldnt manage.
By 2019, I was living life to accommodate my period.
I never had an idea of when it would start or how heavy it would be.
Would I bleed through my clothesagain?
I could never pack enough tampons and pads.
I started hiding under my clothes, wearing black because it was safe.
Choosing Surgery
My doctor and I made a plan for amyomectomyto remove the fibroid.
And unconsciously, I started taking steps to rebuild my community of support by sharing my story.
I shared my struggle with fibroids at theWhite Dress Projectpublicly a few weeks before my surgery.
Despite having years of public speaking experience, I was nervous.
But the only feeling I had after sharing was liberation.
After sharing my story, I found that I had an entirely different community waiting to support me.
They offered me what I needed: prayer, information about their experiences, and solidarity.
But as is often the case with therapy, the surgery was only the tip of the iceberg.
Through my sessions, I was able to process many issues that fibroids brought to the surface.
I was fearful that I would never be a mother.
If I cant have kids, can I still be maternal?
Do I have worth as a woman?
I felt successful in my professional life but not in my relationships.
I was showing up for other people, but not myself.
Through therapy, Ive learned that my fibroid diagnosis isnt a death sentence for me or my dreams.
The difference in my periods was like night and day.
And through therapy, Ive learned that my fibroid diagnosis isnt a death sentence for me or my dreams.
I dont know what the future holds.
Maybe Ill be a bonus mom.
Maybe Ill be the worlds best auntie.
Maybe Ill be blessed with a relationship and children of my own.
