Out of Order—Living with Fibroid Tumors

When a healthcare professional first mentions the word "tumor," it seems the natural thing to do is panic. But we have all learned over the years that is is not necessary. Benign tumors of some sort are often found in most human bodies.

The fibroid tumor is one of the benign types that grow in or on a woman's uterus. Fibroids are tumors of the smooth muscle found in the wall of the uterus. They may grow as a single tumor or in clusters. Some stay small while others will grow if unchecked or not treated properly.

At age 50, being diagnosed with a single fibroid tumor, 12 cm by 8 cm, was a bit of a shock to me. I knew I had been having issues with my cycle and that my uterus was constantly swollen, but the word tumor hit me like a ton of bricks. As I am wont to do, I immediately began researching this particular type of tumor to find solutions other than surgery. I am not a proponent of removing parts of my body that are valuable and viable.

I put on my research hat, grabbed a computer, pencil, and paper, pulled out my medicinal herb books, threw open my nutrition books and went to work. There are tons of articles available on fibroids, their effects, the research being done to find a cure (nothing yet), and both medical and natural options. There are even dozens of programs that offer cures. But in my personal findings, no absolute cure other than completely removing the uterus is available, and this proves to have issues all on its own.

I began notations on types of diets, exercises, and began setting up an herbal protocol to help me control excessive bleeding, swelling, clotting, and other effects of the fibroid. This proved to be a very extensive list. The biggest thing I discovered was the type of eating lifestyle my family and I had. It was a convenient type of cooking, which I knew better than to do, but caring for a senior adult made the quick and easy... easy.

Thirty days after the initial diagnosis of the fibroid, I had emptied my pantry and cupboards of all the junk food I had in the house. All sodas, meals in a box, chips, anything considered CRAP (chemicals you don't normally use, refined sugars & flours, artificial flavors and colors, preservatives) were removed and replaced with fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs. Costly, but well worth it.

Thirty days later, both my hubby and I had lost around 10 to 15 pounds each. And the energy we had was amazing. Now in 2019, we are both at our goal weight, have tons of energy, experience very clear thinking, and feel wonderful. I highly recommend you doing the same if you can.

Back to fibroids. The goal of living with your fibroid and treating it naturally for older women is to reach menopause, where it should deteriorate naturally. The goal for younger women is to be able to shrink their fibroid so they are able to bear children if desired, or just live a fairly normal life. And I will touch on the normal part in just a bit.

Fibroid tumors can live in a woman's body for years without ever showing any type of symptoms. This is considered the normal part of living with fibroids. The cause of them is unknown, but has been surmised to be anything from diet to damage of the uterus. They just sit there if the body is in the right condition and the body has the right levels of estrogen, progesterone, and you eat right.

On the other hand, choosing to live with a growing fibroid can be horrific sometimes. Growing fibroids can cause many issues in the body. Anemia, excessive bleeding, clotting, miscarriage, blockage of bowel, and urine tracts. It has psychological effects also, depression and stress are the main issues. So how does one deal with all of this?

Since you no longer have what many consider a normal period, you learn to deal the best way you can. Many women who bleed heavily begin to become more housebound because of the embarrassment of "accidents" and being able to second guess how the bleeding will happen. This alone will send one into a depressed state. I have learned over the years that when I become heavily stressed, I bleed more. So I have taught myself very heavy meditation to help keep me calm. Sometimes it works wonderfully; others, not so much. But it is a contributing factor to my heavy bleeding.

For my herbal protocol, I started with everything I could get my hands on and afford. This led to a hit-and-miss type of healing. Again, some good, some bad. So, I did a cleanse and began experimenting. I have main herbs I stay on no matter what. Uterine support is important, and being peri-menopausal, I also needed herbs for hormonal support. It is important to find a personal protocol that works for you as each body is different. Uterine support, bleeding, stress management, and fibroid shrinkage is basically the way to look at healing naturally.

Diet is the next important factor. Through the standard American diet, most of what you ingest is feeding the fibroid tumor, and, believe it or not, other issues within your body. You have to be willing to change your eating lifestyle and stick to it. For many, they find leaving the sugar alone is the hardest. It is necessary if you want to heal. This I will promise, I do not lack in food and I went vegetarian. Yes, meatless. And the changes to my body are wonderful.

Most people ask me, "How do you know so much about all of this?" When my mother was diagnosed in 2003 with cancer and rheumatoid arthritis, I began personal studies on diet and healing. When she passed, I went back to school. I am a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Certified Herbalist, and am completing certification to be a Naturopathic Doctor. I now have over 200 personal research hours on Alzheimer's, Diabetes, Cancer, and Uterine nutrition. It has become my goal to share my experience and information to help others be able to heal naturally and healthily.

I hope you will join me on this journey to enjoying a better lifestyle. Without knowledge, we gain nothing. I have even published a book of my journey with my fibroid tumor. Dealing With Fibroids Naturally, A Personal Journey of Healing and Discovery Katie Schrader. You can find it on Amazon. No lotions, potions, or pills, just a no-nonsense walk through healing. Oh yeah! And food!