Coach Ella Destiny,a USA Fibroid Center’s ambassador, was interviewed by WUSA9 CBS Great Day Washington hosts Ellen Bryan and Elaine Espinola during Fibroid Awareness Month.
Coach Ella Destiny is a fibroid survivor and advocate who is on a mission to raise awareness about fibroids and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. She was diagnosed with fibroids at the age of 17, and she experienced severe symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, and pelvic pain. She underwent a hysterectomy at age 21, but the surgery left her with complications that nearly took her life.
“When they did my hysterectomy, they severed my intestines and I spent a week on life support,” Destiny said.
Coach Ella is now sharing her story to help other women struggling with fibroids. She is also promoting UFE, a non-surgical treatment option for fibroids with a much lower risk of complications than surgery.
During the interview, Coach Ella stressed her motivation for fibroid activism.
“My mission is to continue to talk about it so that other women won’t experience what I went through,” Destiny said.
To learn more about fibroids and UFE, please visit our website or schedule a consultation with one of our specialists today.
Watch the News broadcast here.
Read the transcript below:
Elaine Espinola, Host, CBS Great Day Washington
Welcome back to Great Day Washington. Well, July is Fibroid Awareness Month.
Ellen Bryan, CBS Great Day Washington
And while the term may be recognizable, many women don’t know what fibroids are or how to tell if they actually have them.
Espinola
So here to educate us is women’s health advocate Coach Ella Destiny. Welcome.
Ella Destiny, Fibroid Fighter
Thank you so much for having me this morning.
Bryan
Great to have you.
Espinola
Well, let’s get started. What are fibroids, for anyone who doesn’t know?
Coach Ella
Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that form in the uterus. They can be on the uterus, in the uterus. They vary in size. They can be the size of a little small pea to the size of a watermelon. They vary in size.
Espinola
The size of a watermelon?
Coach Ella
Yes, they grow. So oftentimes times when you see women with large stomachs, you think that they’re expecting. When they have fibroids.
And that was my case.
Bryan
Do people realize? When it’s a pea, I could see you being like, I didn’t know I had it. But a watermelon? You got to know.
Espinola
I’m assuming that’s one of the signs. What are some other signs?
Coach Ella
Some of the signs are lower back pain, heavy bleeding, or bleeding for long periods of time. You also may have painful sex, different things like that. Anemia, and fatigue, are all signs that you could be in trouble and have fibroids.
Bryan
They’re painful too, right? Yes. Like you do.
Coach Ella
Oh, absolutely.
Bryan
How do you go about getting them treated then?
Coach Ella
So, a lot of times when you go to your OB, they don’t tell you there are other options. I had a hysterectomy. They didn’t tell me there were other options. When they did my hysterectomy, they severed my intestines. I spent a week on life support.
Coach Ella
I had 11 abdominal surgeries. I don’t have a navel anymore. I have a scar from hip to hip as if someone sawed me in half. And it’s all because I didn’t know that there were other options. I am an ambassador for USA Fibroid Centers, and they specialize in UFE or uterine fibroid embolization.
They make a small incision in your wrist (and inject embolic materials). It’s minimally invasive. They cut off the circulation to the fibroids and they shrink them and ultimately go away. The recovery time is way less. You’re back at work, yes, no issues.
Espinola
And is there what age or range is this affecting women?
Coach Ella
By the age of 50, 20 to 80 percent of women will experience fibroids.
Bryan
Wow. Oh my gosh. So, everyone watching almost has this risk.
Coach Ella
A lot of times they don’t know.
Espinola
I know one of the reasons you are advocating for this is because you don’t want to see other women go through what you went through.
Coach Ella
Absolutely not, I want to make sure that women can make informed decisions about their bodies and what they do with their health.
A lot of times we don’t talk about women’s healthcare. We don’t talk about fibroids. We don’t talk about periods. It’s taboo. You know, it’s nasty. It’s icky. No one wants to talk about it. That’s why it’s important to have these conversations.
Bryan
It’s so emotional when you talk to a woman who has gone through this. Is there a good support system that you can build? Or is that still lacking? Like you are speaking out today, I’m sure it’s going to help people.
Coach Ella
More and more women are talking about it now. We form sister circles and that’s what USA Fibroid Centers has for us. Cynthia Bailey, Shay Johnson, Malorie Bailey, and I travel the world talking about fibroids. We also formed a community, where it’s comfortable. A lot of times we don’t want to have those uncomfortable conversations.
I would say, reach out to your family members, and your friends, and talk about it. Let’s normalize talking about our cycles. When someone is sitting there and they might be quiet, or you’re out brunching or, what have you, you might say, “Hey, what’s going on? Are you okay?”
Your friend may open up and say, “I’m on my cycle and it’s pretty heavy.” Then you can have that conversation.
Espinola
Especially because it sounds like a lot of the signs and symptoms could mask other things. Sometimes we have back pain, and it might not be fibroids. It could be something else. So, it’s important to have conversations.
Coach Ella
Absolutely. Have the conversations.
Bryan
How are you doing today, by the way?
Coach Ella
I am well today. My mission and my commission is to continue to talk about it so that women won’t go through what I went through. Not only did it affect me physically, but mentally as well. I was married, couldn’t have children, and a lot of different things went on. I’m good today.
Bryan
Oh, it’s a heavy lift. Thank you for sharing your story today.
Coach Ella
Thank you so much for having me.
Bryan
I know it’s going to help so many people. So be sure to check in with a medical professional for any major health concerns. As you said, these symptoms sound like they could be anything.
Espinola
That’s right. If you want to reach out to Coach Ella for support, head to www.elladestiny.com.
Bryan
Excellent. Thank you for being here.