Some months before I traveled for my Masters Degree, I had surgery for fibroids so I went with a clean bill of health. I did my Masters in corporate communications in 2009 at Aberdeen and came back to Nigeria in 2013. I thought I would get a job immediately, but nothing happened. Eventually I got one and just as I began, I started feeling bloated. I had swollen feet and assumed it was the stress of the new job but as time went on, it got worse, and the swelling got to my knees. My eyes were getting dull too. I went to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). I was tested and it was discovered that the fibroids were back. And they were quite large. My blood pressure (BP) was extremely high and I had to start taking BP medication. The doctors also found that my blood level was below normal and were wondering how I was alive. 

I had a blood transfusion immediately and was given 3 pints of blood. I was told the fibroids would begin to affect other vital organs if I didn’t take them out immediately. I went to South Shore Women’s Clinic to get their opinion and they also told me the same thing. The challenge now was how to raise the funds for my surgery – it was over a million. All this while, I was menstruating for over 2 months. I was given drugs to stop the flow, but they didn’t work. It was discovered the positioning of the fibroids was causing it. I was able to raise the funds and had the surgery. 28 fibroids were removed. 

Recuperating wasn’t funny. I was extremely skinny. Walking up the stairs was a problem and I had to sit on one side of my bum. Eventually I got better.