Nollywood actress Ini Dima-Okojie has shared the story of her fibroid journey on Instagram and it was quite moving.
The actress revealed via Instagram that she was diagnosed with fibroids in 2017. However, the doctor advised that she do nothing about them because they seemed benign.
She wrote on Instagram, “I want to share something quite personal with you… but I think it’s important.”
“I found out I had fibroids in 2017, I remember freaking out so much. The first gynaecologist I saw said if it wasn’t really [bothering] me, he would advise I leave it alone but that I had better go and quickly get married (🙄 no jokes).”
“Anyway, fast forward to March 2020, the bulge on my lower belly had gotten bigger & my new gynaecologist advised I take out the fibroids. Then COVID happened and we had to put the surgery on hold. In the meantime, I tried other things… herbs, clean diet, exercise…”
Unfortunately, the fibroids had grown a lot more by November and Dima-Okojie had to get surgery. “I decided to go do another pelvic scan & was told I had to get an MRI cos the fibroids were now bigger than what the ultrasound machine could adequately measure. Bottom line, I had to have the surgery as soon as possible,” she wrote.
Watch her emotional journey below:
Ini Dima-Okojie revealed that the procedure was successful. The Namaste Wahala actress expressed gratitude to the medical personnel as well as her family and friends who were her rock in this trying time.
Fellow celebrities Adesua Etomi, Mimi Onalaja, Denola Grey, Somkele Iyama, Sharon Ooja, and Toni Tones all sent their love and encouragement in the comment section.
Unfortunately, many women are at risk of going through this painful journey. As Dima-Okojie said, “this is something that apparently affects about 6-8 in every 10 black women but no one talks about it.”
British singer FKA Twigs revealed that she had six fibroid tumours removed in 2018. She spoke about how afraid she was and that it “knocked her confidence as a woman”. The 30-year-old paid tribute to other women with the common condition, describing them as “amazing warriors” who are “not alone”.
She said the tumours were the size of two apples, three kiwis and a couple of strawberries. “A fruit bowl of pain every day. The nurse said that the weight and size were like being six months pregnant,” FKA Twigs wrote.
Former American models Cynthia Bailey and Beverly Johnson also shared their painful struggles with fibroid tumors. Then there are actresses Kenya Moore, Halima Abubakar, Lena Dunham, Padma Lakshmi, and so many others.
Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa also revealed that she battled fibroids for 7 years and had to conceal them using shapewear. had 12 fibroid tumours removed.
“To the women out there dealing with fibroids, I know what a lonely road it can be,” Dima-Okojie wrote. “Not to talk of the pain and discomfort and then there are the ignorant ‘congrats on your pregnancy’ comments to deal with 🙄”
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. Studies have shown that black woman are more at risk of having the condition than any other race of women in the world.
Here are some materials to educate yourself about this painful and common condition.