Fibroids: Discovery

I was diagnosed with fibroids in December 2016. It was during the tail end of my annual well-woman visit. As my OB/GYN was palpating my lower abdomen, she asked if I’d ever been diagnosed with fibroids. I answered, “No,” and she advised me to schedule an ultrasound. She said that it was not immediately urgent, but needed to be completed. In order to avoid my tendency to forget or procrastinate, I scheduled the appointment very shortly after. I felt fine. My cycles were more regular than they’d ever been. I’d been experiencing back pain, but I associated it with the fact that work required me to stand on my feet all day. I wasn’t nervous.

The day of the ultrasound appointment, I recall drinking a lot of water and trying my best not to urinate myself as I waited to be called back. The technician completed the abdominal then intra-vaginal ultrasound. I can recall the clicking sound of the mouse as she took pictures of my uterus. I didn’t look at the monitor because I was afraid of what I might see. When it was over, I left and went about my day as usual.

I can recall getting the follow-up call from my gynecologist. I was driving on the interstate, with my then boyfriend, headed back to my place. The phone was connected to the Bluetooth audio so he heard everything. I was diagnosed with 6 fibroids. I didn’t know what to think, however, I had one question: Are they and could they become cancerous? She answered, “No.” She also gave me multiple treatment options- one being birth control that would be used to control the progression and symptoms of the fibroids. I decided against that and any other treatment at the moment. Aside from back pain, which I still wasn’t convinced was due to the fibroids, I would say I was not experiencing any symptoms. We decided to continue to monitor and hold off on further treatment- for now.

Upon arriving home, I immediately did a quick internet search of fibroids. In my mind, I thought that maybe they would go away on their own. I was in denial. I was confused. How I could be diagnosed with fibroids yet feel normal?