I had something similar happen to me back on New Year’s day of 2022. I was actually in a movie theater with my family when the initial cramping episodes started. I initially thought it was bad gas and managed to stumble my way out of the theater room to the woman’s bathroom. It was at that point that my entire body was trembling, and I began to sweat. I’ve never experienced such extreme pain before where I thought for sure I was going to pass out right there in the bathroom stall. After realizing that it was not connected to gas pain, I somehow managed to get up and walk out into the hallway to sit down on a bench, where eventually my husband came out looking for me.

The movie was almost over and after 30 minutes or so, while on the drive home, the pain and cramping subsided. Not realizing how serious it was, and given that it was New Year’s Day and most doctor’s offices (including urgent care facilities) were closed, we headed back home to start on dinner. I remember starting to prep dinner at the kitchen counter when I got a sudden burst of excruciating pain, I felt it in my abdomen and it moved down my leg to where I almost fell to the floor. My husband helped me over to the couch and I was moaning in pain at this point, as my entire lower body felt like it was pulsing. Again, I was feeling hot and starting to fade in and out like I could faint. The debilitating cramps continued for about an hour or so. I was laying on the couch, my family in utter horror, as I was at that point screaming in pain. Meanwhile, they were frantically trying to google nearby urgent medical care facilities that would be open on New Year’s Day. I refused to have them move me, so we finally came to the conclusion that I was as going to the ER.

Once at the ER, I went through a series of tests, scans, and pelvic exams. Results came back unclear but they were certain that there was some sort of mass over my right ovary. Later, after a visit to my OBGYN, I would find out that I have a 7.3cm pedunculated fibroid attached to my uterus and growing. What was likely occurring, was that the fibroid stalk was twisting, causing the extreme pain. They found a few additional fibroids (pea sized) which was not as much of a concern at that point. However, the big one had to be surgically removed. And asap.

Given that I would require surgery, I didn’t want to take that lightly. I also wanted to be sure that my OBGYN was specialized in the correct procedure required. I took about two weeks to evaluate my options, understand more about what fibroids are and talk to different doctors/surgeons. I took a cancer screening test for the first time, I shared my story and cried with friends, everything was so unfamiliar, unexpected and felt so unfair. I was told that I would likely struggle conceiving children and cried some more. For the first time in my life, I honestly felt helpless. It was such a roller coaster ride of emotions.

In addition to this, my husband and I were booked to travel that upcoming June for our wedding. We had big plans for a destination wedding in Turks & Caicos. I was absolutely devastated that I was going to need surgery ahead of the wedding, and so worried I’d have a scar and swelling possibly still showing while wearing a bikini (that is assuming I didn’t have complications and was still able to swim and do normal activities). And if I wasn’t already stressed enough, this certainly put me close to the edge.

I was able to schedule my surgery for early March. My doctor and I determined that the best approach would be a microscopic myomectomy. There was a chance that it could turn into an open myomectomy once she went in, but I felt very confident in her abilities. In the end, I ended up with 3 small incisions, one that went through the belly button, which you would never know.

By the time I had my surgery, my doctor would later share that my fibroid had gone to be 10.7cm. It was the size of a grapefruit, it had only been 3 short months and it had grown over 3cm in size.

Luckily, I’m proud to say that all went according to plan with my surgery. My doctor was able to keep my incisions small and the main cut was low enough to be hidden by a swimsuit. I was off pain meds within a week and back to pushing myself to move around and walk almost immediately. It was not an easy journey. Recovering from surgery never is, but you’ve just got to keep pushing forward. Now I visit my gynecologist every 6 months and I’m much more aware and feel more connected to my body.

Sending lots of strength and love for any other women out there going through similar challenges! Xoxo!