this is fifty!

I was supposed to run my first full marathon for my 50th birthday…

 

More than two pounds. Between 35 and 40 fibroids, too many to count, and my uterus. That’s what was removed from my body. I kept my cervix.

Fibroids affect up to 80% of women by age 50. Black women develop them younger, get diagnosed later, and are three times more likely to need surgery. We are not rare cases. This is a public health crisis.

Every woman I told had a story of her own. I thought my heavy, painful cycle and swollen stomach were perimenopause. They weren’t, they were fibroids. I’m blessed to have the people and resources to find the answers for my body. Most women don’t.

This was supposed to be the year I ran my first marathon for my 50th birthday. Instead, I trained for surgery. I’m not mourning that pivot because I had the privilege of other choices too, including a small reset.

That’s a conversation for another day. But it’s what I want to keep talking about: choice. Choice about my body, my surgery, my recovery, what was repaired and what was rebuilt. Most Black women don’t get that — especially inside an OB/GYN’s office. That has to change.

To @kemidoll, thank you for your book, “A Terrible Strength.” Your words are the audio of this post. One day, I hope to sit across from you and talk it all the way through. @lupitanyongo, thank you for breaking the silence and building #MakeFibroidsCount. Your voice cleared a path and inspired this shoot. @layeelah, thank you for these images. We all should be seen in this beautiful light.

We are #WombSisters, and we are organizing.

This is fifty!!!

💜💜💜

#RichInLove