Hearing from a Doctor that you have something wrong with your body is sufficiently distressing. However, for a majority of women who receive the words "uterine fibroids" as their diagnosis, they are clueless as to the what the heck they are, let alone how they developed, and how to get rid of them. Oddly enough, I am surprised by the alarming amount of women that suffer with fibroids and the lack of newsworthy information that one may hear about the subject.
I hadn't heard about fibroids until I was diagnosed. None of the elder females in the family ever referenced it as 'something to expect' as I got older. In essence, many of us females don't have 'Uterine Fibroids' listed in our life's playbook, as opposed to childbirth and Menopause. Conveniently, the occurrence of fibroids comes smack dab in the middle between the birthing years and the cessation of menstruation. How fun!
Although it is difficult to account for the exact number of women that currently suffer from uterine fibroids in the U.S., the amount of hysterectomy procedures performed can prove as an indicator. According to the Fibroid Registry, .."(..These symptoms are the most common indication for hysterectomy in the United States, accounting for 30-40 percent of all hysterectomies, or 150-200,000 hysterectomies annually.3 At least 34,000 myomectomies—surgical procedures in which only the fibroids are removed—are performed annually (data obtained from the NIS online query system)." It is most unfortunate that so many of these hysterectomies are performed, when in fact, many well renown medical professionals have professed that not all hysterectomies are necessary. In other words, a hysterectomy is not the only solution to getting rid of uterine fibroids. There are other less invasive surgical procedures, as well as non-surgical, holistic strategies for treatment, however the jury is still out on how thorough Gynecologists are(overall) in informing their female patients with fibroids of other options besides a hysterectomy for fibroids.
The ORACLE Protocol© for Shrinking Fibroids
After speaking with many women across various Social Media sites over the last four years, there are a high percentage that have echoed the following consistent complaints after being diagnosed with uterine fibroids, or once they have been told to 'Watch and Wait' with asymptomatic fibroids:
Complaint - "My Gynecologist(s)......."
1. ....said the only thing I could do to get rid of the fibroids was to have a hysterectomy.
2. ...didn't explain much about the fibroids, or why I might have them. He/She just said that I was"at that age".
3....wasn't to keen on my getting a second opinion (but wasn't adverse to the idea, either).
4. ....didn't ask me about my diet, lifestyle, stress factors, any other possible medications I may be taking, didn't seem to take much time/interest in me.
5. ...didn't ask me about hereditary factors (if my Mother or other close relative had fibroids).
6. ....was very quick to recommend a hysterectomy.
7. .....did not mention other minimally-invasive procedures for which I may be a good candidate.
8. .....did not endorse my interest in seeing a TCM/Ayurvedic/Integrative/Naturopathic/Holistic Practitioner.
9. .....did not do any testing with hormones, thyroid/adrenal glands, iodine levels, Vit D3 levels, etc.
10. ....could not suggest anything 'natural' to do to assuage/eliminate fibroids.
The listed complaints above do not reflect the behavior of all Gynecologists when the medical situation/diagnosis involves uterine fibroids, and come from a considerable percentage of women based on their shared experience.
After I was diagnosed with fibroids, I also shared some of the same complaints above. Extremely heavy periods and an increasing belly is what prompted me to go to the Gynecologist. I thank God that I had no pain! After hearing the fast-talk into a hysterectomy (due to the large size, 16 cm), my head starting spinning with the medications she mentioned I had to start taking, then the time off I needed from work, then the cost, I was a wreck when I left the office, and just sat in my car shivering out of fear of surgery, and pissed that she couldn't suggest any other method of treatment.
(After seeing two other Gynecologists, one six months later, the other eight months later, having been told the same as the first and the push for a hysterectomy, I was more pissed than anything; I saw the same pattern with three different Doctors!
I made a personal decision to do the 'Watch and Wait' method (Expectant Management Therapy), and going au naturel with strategies to heal. I strongly believed that I could find and implement means that would heal my body. Personal research and education, trial and error, using myself as a human guinea pig to test the effects of certain supplements and herbs, and listening and sharing fibroid experiences with a lot of wonderful women prompted me to begin this blog, and share. Over time, I discovered that I was working in a pattern with all of the things I was doing to heal my body. The pattern resulted in The ORACLE Protocol©.
The ORACLE Protocol© highlights 14 aspects that need to be addressed so that healing of fibroids can begin. When opting to heal without surgery for uterine fibroids, it may take some time, as well as treading through a variety of paths while on the Fibroid Healing Journey. However, a woman must deal the trade-offs made with every healing option considered, in addition to doing some things differently than what one may have been accustomed.
(See progressive shrinking of my fibroids here)
14 Comprehensive and Effective Steps to Begin Healing Uterine Fibroids During Expectant Management/Watch and Wait Therapy
Guide Outline:
- Observe - Be aware of changes/symptoms you experience.
- Opinion - Talk to more than one Doctor, explore Holistic/Naturopathic/Ayurvedic Practitioners
- Record - Maintain a diary of symptoms/ailments, and changes that you notice over time.
- Research - Find out all you can about Fibroids and treatment options.
- Ask Questions - Harass (if need be) your Medical Professional(s) about Fibroids
- Affirm - Don't allow Fibroids to get you down - know that you can heal, remind yourself daily
- Act - Try natural remedies (first) for at least thirty days to see if changes/shrinkage occurs
- Consult - Talk with other women who have had successes with Fibroids, other Doctors
- Listen - Get in tune with your body, and give it what it craves (certain foods, exercise, etc.)
- Learn - Identify what works for you, your schedule, your lifestyle that is best for you
- Laugh - Always take time to enjoy yourself and others, laugh as much as possible.
- Eat well - Discover how you should eat to promote healing from within
- Exercise - Stimulate your circulation and your body parts with routine movement
- Exhale - Do deep breathing exercises throughout the day
- Express - Do what you want to do, and what you do best - take control, release creative energy
The Oracle Protocol© is not an 'overwhelming' guide book, but it is detailed with important information and options that Women who do the 'Watch and Wait' therapy for uterine fibroids should know, to begin healing/shrinking fibroids naturally. Unfortunately, in many cases, Gynecologists don't share this information. Instead, they steer us towards a hysterectomy, or other surgical procedure that only temporarily alleviates the fibroids. When they grow back, we are subjected to a repeated discomfort of having a second or third surgical procedure.
I encourage every woman with non-threatening fibroid symptoms to try the Oracle Protocol© before deciding to have surgery. As one may begin to see results from natural efforts, surgery becomes unnecessary.
I encourage every woman with non-threatening fibroid symptoms to try the Oracle Protocol© before deciding to have surgery. As one may begin to see results from natural efforts, surgery becomes unnecessary.
Happy Health!
K
