TURNING FIBROIDS intoHOPE

by Dr. Reneisha M. Randall for The Girlfriend's Corner

I’m normally pretty private when it comes to my personal life, but about a year-and-a-half ago God revealed that nothing is off limits. At least nothing that God can use for His glory and what I can use to give women knowledge, courage, perseverance, and most of all acceptance. I must admit, I continue to be amazed at what God does in my life. Even in the seasons that aren’t as comfortable, He keeps making a way.

I started my own business in January 2020 and named it BEthat! THAT is an acronym for Thrive, Hope, Affirm, and Transcend. BEthat! was founded in Orlando, Florida, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to empower and equip youth, women, and professionals, giving them the tools, support, and resources they need to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally as they navigate through life.

My BEthat! mission has always been to empower and equip youth, women, and professionals to be Thriving, Hopeful, Affirming, and Transcending! Through individual and group mentorship, support training, and resources, we aim to change the narrative of how individuals view themselves by encouraging them to be their authentic self while helping them push through their adversities.

As passionate as I am about BEthat! the real test is when I encounter challenges and struggles that force me to discover a layer of myself I’ve never experienced and still empower others, even when I’m not sure what tomorrow holds. I, like so many other Black women, suffer from uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that typically develop and grow in your uterus. They can affect so much from a woman’s reproductive system, producing long and extensive bleeding from menstrual periods, pelvic pain and pressure, frequent urination, and pain during sexual intercourse, to name a few. The fibroids range in size, which typically determines the pain level to an extent. Like many other ailments, Black women develop fibroids three times more often than other women.

I remember being told for the first time that I had fibroids. For some reason it didn’t seem like a huge deal at the time. Maybe it was because I was young and they were smaller. I monitored them, but I guess because they weren’t bothering me or causing any discomfort, I disregarded it … until one day I was in excruciating pain. When I went to my primary care doctor, he immediately ordered a CT scan of the pelvic area. I remember being super nervous but wanted some relief. When I went in for my results, I remember him saying, “You gotta get these things removed ... the fibroids are literally pushing against your other organs, causing you tremendous pain; make an appointment with your gynecologist.” That’s exactly what I did. She then sent me to a specialist, where I had various tests performed to see the size and area of the uterus where the fibroids were located. There I was having to think about the fact that I don’t have kids, and I still want that option although I’m 40 years old. What do kids look like for me, and is that something I still desire? Taking all that into consideration, I chose to have an abdominal myomectomy, which is different from a hysterectomy. I figured this would at least buy me some time in case the opportunity to have children happens within the next couple of years. So my doctor and I started setting everything up for me to have the operation.

I went into the hospital to have it, and guess what? The doctor canceled it because while I was under anesthesia, my heart rhythm changed, and the doctors wanted to be cautious. Listen, to say I was frustrated is an understatement. I was nervous, overwhelmed, and trying to figure out why this had happened in the midst of my tears. This was my second attempt to have my fibroids removed. The first time Hurricane Ian hit Orlando, which is the city where I live, and now this.

During the second attempt, I was in the hospital two days. They ran every test you can name to see what may have caused the reaction from my heart. But guess what, ALL the tests came back normal, and I was cleared by the cardiologist to have the surgery (that’s shouting news).

Now, I’ve rescheduled my surgery for January 2023.* My prayer is that everything goes as planned, with no complications, in Jesus’ name! I wanted to share my story to let women know that even when you find yourself in an unpredictable situation, God is still good and we must use our experiences and knowledge with others to perhaps help their journey be better than our own.

I hope this lets women know they are not alone, and that although we struggle with ailments like fibroids, the more we know, the better decisions we can make. I always say, don’t let what it looks like make you forget what God says.

We as women are left to figure out the best medical option for where we are in life. Here I am at 40 having to decide what I should do about uterine fibroids. I’m divorced with no kids and have never remarried. I’m not sure if kids are in the deck for me or not, only God knows that, but what I do know is that regardless of whatever situation you find yourself, you can still Thrive, Hope, Affirm, and Transcend. You can still BEthat!

In Hope, Dr. Roneisha M. Randall

*At the time of my submission of this letter, I hadn't yet had the surgery to remove the fibroids, but now I can tell you the results. Everything went well in January, and a total of 57 fibroids were removed. I’m so grateful and am feeling much healthier. I’m also gearing up for a health and wellness symposium I’m holding for women's health, which is slated for August 2023. God is good!

You can keep up with Dr. Randall's journey through one of her social media handles below:

Instagram: @undeniablydrro

Facebook: Roneisha Monyette Randall

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love.

EPHESIANS 3:14-17