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Shorntay AllenModel of underwear with fibroids.
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- Model Battling Fibroids and Infertility
- A Devastating Shock
- Hope Amidst Uncertainty
- A Ray of Light
- Fear and Determination
- Understanding Fibroids
- A Critical Decision
- A Painful Recovery
- Joy and Relief
- Family and Ambition
- Planning for the Future
- From Pain to Empowerment
- Her honesty paid off, and Allen became one of the ten finalists.
Model Battling Fibroids and Infertility
Mistaken Pregnancy: A Shocking DiagnosisShorntay Allen, a London-based lingerie model, initially dismissed her growing belly as weight gain from overindulging. However, in September 2014, a doctor's appointment revealed the truth: a grapefruit-sized fibroid tumor growing within her uterus.
A Devastating Shock
Up to one in three women will develop fibroids, benign tumors that grow in or near the uterus, typically between the ages of 30 and 50. Allen's diagnosis sent shockwaves through her as doctors mentioned a potential hysterectomy—the removal of her uterus. This procedure would have meant the end of her dreams of motherhood and a potential early menopause.
Hope Amidst Uncertainty
Fortunately, Allen's condition was stable enough for a less invasive, fertility-preserving surgery called a myomectomy, which removes only the fibroid growths. After the surgery, Allen's once-bulging abdomen began to subside, and within two months, she was confident enough to return to lingerie modeling and enter a beauty pageant.
A Ray of Light
Allen became a finalist in the pageant and anxiously awaited the announcement of the winner. Reflecting on her struggle, she said, "When they told me about the fibroids, I just said, 'Okay,' but inside I didn't feel like that."
Fear and Determination
Allen found solace in solitude, not wanting to burden her family. "It was a huge shock when the doctor said everything that the fibroid could do, and it scared me," she admitted. "The fact that they used the word 'hysterectomy' really worried me. I was only 29 at the time and thought I was too young for that."
"I always wanted to be a mother. I was very worried whether I was going to be able to," she expressed her fears.
Understanding Fibroids
Statistics show that approximately 40% of women will develop uterine fibroids, most commonly between the ages of 30 and 50. While the exact cause of fibroids remains unknown, studies have linked them to the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, which are at their highest levels during a woman's reproductive life.
After menopause, fibroids often shrink or disappear altogether, and symptoms may resolve or improve. Some women experience no problems, while others suffer from varying degrees of discomfort, including heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, and frequent urination.
A Critical Decision
Due to the size and location of Allen's tumor, a hysterectomy was initially considered. However, her surgeon ultimately opted for a myomectomy.
Myomectomy is a surgical procedure involving an incision in the lower abdomen to remove fibroids from the uterine walls. Allen attempted to downplay the severity of her situation, even giving her tumor the nickname "Humphrey." But deep down, she felt anxiety.
A Painful Recovery
"Generally, I'm quite fit and healthy," Allen recalled. "I've never had an operation before. I wasn't really sure what to expect, and it did scare me quite a lot."
"Recovery was really hard. The pain was horrendous. It felt like someone was stabbing me in the stomach constantly. I've never felt anything like that before."
Joy and Relief
After the procedure, Allen was informed that the surgery had gone well, with the team of surgeons barely able to stop the tumor's blood supply. Although Allen was left with a scar, she was overjoyed to know that her ability to carry a child had been preserved.
"If the worst had happened and I couldn't have children, I would have been devastated, to say the least," she said. "I would have been heartbroken—that would have been my dream gone."
"I think I would have gone into a massive depression. I didn't know whether I was going to wake up with my womb or without. I just kept hoping I would."
Family and Ambition
Allen continued, "I'm a real family person. I treat my nieces and nephews like they are my own. My family is my whole world."
"When I got the good news, I thought, 'Thank the Lord.' I was so happy that I could still be a mom. I was over the moon."
Planning for the Future
Allen now plans to start her own family, aiming for five children. "My mom says I won't be able to have that many at my age, and I should settle for three. But you never know, I might have quintuplets," Allen quipped.
"I've come through it. It's helped me get over it. I knew it could have been worse, but I also felt that if I was going to go through the pain and have the scar, I wanted to come out of this with a baby. I would have been doing it for the right reasons."
From Pain to Empowerment
Two months after her myomectomy, Allen heard about the "Curvy Kate" lingerie modeling competition and decided to apply.
"I was quite self-conscious after the surgery, with my scar, and I found it hard to be intimate with someone. But I thought, 'I've got to do it anyway,'" she said.
Upon arriving at the casting, Allen was relieved to see women of "all shapes and sizes." She felt compelled to share her story with others.
Her honesty paid off, and Allen became one of the ten finalists.
"I don't know how I've come through it. I'm just a normal person. I don't think I'm anything special," Allen said modestly. "I hope my story may help reassure other women who may be going through similar struggles."
