May is Women’s Health Care Month, a time to raise awareness about the unique health needs and challenges faced by women. This month provides an opportunity to focus on the importance of preventive care, early detection, and treatment for women’s health conditions.

Women’s health encompasses a broad range of issues, from reproductive health to mental health, and from chronic diseases to infectious diseases. Some of the common health concerns that affect women include breast cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis, depression, and autoimmune disorders. Many of these conditions can be prevented or treated with timely and appropriate medical care.

One of the most important aspects of women’s health care is preventive care. Regular check-ups and screenings can help detect health problems early, when they are most treatable. Women should have regular Pap tests, mammograms, and bone density tests, as well as screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.

In February, I got laryngitis. This 2-week sick bender led me to different symptoms and eventually a health sign I couldn’t ignore. I am not a huge fan of Western medicine. I grew up with elderly grandparents and spent a lot of time in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and medical centers. I have always been conscious of my health choices and kept a pretty healthy lifestyle over the last 30 years outside of my sweet tooth cravings and other vices. During the pandemic, I remained active and hiked weekly. However in 2021, I slowed down. I stopped working out as often–doing the bare minimum to stay fit. I ate whatever I wanted with the YOLO mindset. By 2022, work consumed me and I only worked out when I was near a gym or had a moment to walk outside. After I filmed the movie Born 2 Hustle in June/July, my car was totaled and I hit an all-time low. I gave up. I would call my grandmother in shambles and lost most of the hope that kept me going over the years.

An important aspect of women’s health care is mental health. Women are more likely than men to experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. It is important for women to seek help if they are experiencing symptoms of mental illness, and to receive appropriate treatment. Yet, I hadn’t sought help since 2021. I allowed my body to go to the worst space I’d personally seen it. I gained 20lbs within 3 months. All the nice clothing I bought over the years, I couldn’t fit and was subjugated to only wearing sweatsuits.

There are many lifestyle factors that can impact women’s health. Women should aim to maintain a healthy diet, get regular exercise, manage stress, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. So, without these positive factors, I was allowing my health to decline rapidly without knowing it or seeing the signs.

At the end of March, I developed a 4cm by 2cm lump in my breast. I was terrified. It was bruising and painful. Despite my tendency to be against Western medicine, this was the time I knew I couldn’t ignore my symptoms any longer. My body was screaming for help.

I went in to my appointment afraid I wouldn’t be heard. It is incredibly important for women to advocate for their own health care needs. Women should feel comfortable asking questions, seeking second opinions, and speaking up if they feel their concerns are not being taken seriously. My initial doctor was a resident at the hospital and looked younger than me. I took it upon myself to insist checking everything that they could and testing me for whatever could be wrong. At this point, I was coughing daily, in pain, and my eyes were sunken in and very dark. The resident doctor brought in her supervisor who shared my concern when she saw the bruised lump on my chest. When my bloodwork came back days later, I found out I am anemic, high cholesterol, my kidney and liver are malfunctioning, my red blood cells are misshaped and barely there, along with possible diabetes (the very thing that took my brother’s life). I was in shock.

At first, I had to work so for a few days, I just held everything in. I didn’t even cope with the news. Eventually, on my first day off, I prayed hard and cried even harder. Every reason I used to be healthy for decades of my life, I messed up in only a few months of giving up. I allowed the world and its issues to finally seep inside of me and it was literally killing me. After a few days of crying, something clicked. I was only going to kill myself faster by lying in bed, crying and mopping around. There is a difference between feeling your feelings and keeping them inside, and feeling them and letting them go. I had to let go.

I used my favorite AI, ChatGPT, to look up every single part of my bloodwork and diagnosis to create a personalized plan for my nutrition and exercise. I began eating foods that would help me feel better and heal me. I had already incorporated walking back into my schedule, but I needed more. When I ran track and field, I felt alive! I was in my own lane and it was always me vs. me. That is what getting healthy feels like for me right now. It feels like I’m in the movie Creed fighting against myself. I started doing my old track workouts which kicked my entire ass but everyday I got faster, stronger, and better. I didn’t complain about being sore, I just ran. I sprinted like someone was trying to kill me because that’s how I felt. I felt like my body was screaming out that if I didn’t want to treat it well, she would give up, and I cannot have that. I want to be here on this Earth. I want to live this life. I want to keep going and keep striving.

This month, I have an ultrasound on my breast and another doctor’s appointment. I am nervous but I know it comes down to me. How strong is my faith? How strong is my will to survive? How strong is my sense of sanity? How strong is my desire to be the best me that I can be?

During Women’s Health Care Month, we celebrate the progress that has been made in women’s health care, while also acknowledging the work that still needs to be done. It is important to continue to raise awareness about the unique health needs and challenges faced by women, and to work towards improving access to quality health care for all women. Don’t wait for your body to scream for help. Take the initiative to prove to your temple that you love her and want to be here. Your body is the only one you have.

In conclusion, Women’s Health Care Month is an important reminder of the importance of taking care of our health, both physical and mental. By prioritizing preventive care, making healthy lifestyle choices, and advocating for our own health care needs, we can help ensure that we stay healthy and thrive.