Fibroids
Age: 28
Resides: North Carolina

I was diagnosed with fibroids when I was 21 years old, though I had never had abnormal periods or heavy bleeding, and the periods lasted 3-4 days.. I was told not to worry about the tumors if they didn't bother me; a brochure I'd been given mentioned that fibroids are common in African American women and are not harmful.

Nine years later, I became health conscious and lost over 30 lbs. Though I became lean, when I lay on my back, I could see golf ball-like shapes protruding from my stomach. I went to the doctor (after SEVEN years of being told "wait and see") and was then told I would NEVER be able to have children due to the size of my fibroids. Devastated, I sought other options...myomectomy, lupron, meanwhile doing nothing because all the procedures could have potentially led to -* hysterectomy. I was then directed, from many hours of getting to know people over the Internet, to the Institute for Female Alternative Medicine.

I was completely terrified to fly across the nation to have surgery when I was, for all practical purposes, a healthy 28 year old, single woman with NO health problems. My periods were still 3-4 days in length without ANY pain. My ONLY problem was that I wanted flat abs and the tumors prevented me from having them!! Once I talked to Dr. del Junco, I knew he was the surgeon for me. He talked to mefor almost 2 hours and addressed EVERY fear I had about the surgery. I knew then that this was more than a job to him; it was his passion.

Now, after the surgery, I have NO complaints. The only thing I would change is that I wouldn't have thought twice about having FAS and I wouldn't have accepted EIGHT years of the "wait and see" philosophy.

Cledra

Addendum:
Things are going really well. I'm engaged now and I will be getting married in December 2001. What a difference a year makes!! This year I'm researching weddings, instead of Fibroids and I'm so thankful!

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