I was told my heavy periods were just fibroids – now I’m trolled for being ‘bloated and ugly’ as I fight for my life
A MUM who experienced heavy periods for half her life has been left with an earth-shattering diagnosis.
Fiona Williams, 46, was told by doctors for more than 20 years that she had fertility issues after she experienced a series of miscarriages and heavy periods.
In 2002, just after Fiona and her husband got married, the couple were told Fiona's miscarriages were caused by polycystic ovaries.
“We were absolutely devastated but resigned ourselves to the fact we would never be able to have our own baby,” said Fiona.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormonal condition that affects how a woman's ovaries work.
Those with the condition can experience a range of symptoms including irregular periods, excessive hair growth and difficulty getting pregnant.
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In Fiona's case, doctors told the couple they would never be able to have children.
But in 2021, after shocking doctors by giving birth to three of her own children, the full-time mum from Wishaw, was diagnosed with endometrial cancer and has undergone chemo, for which she has since been trolled.
“I have had a few messages from anonymous people saying I look bloated and unattractive - but I'm not trying to impress anyone anyway, so I don't care," Fiona explained.
Endometrial cancer, otherwise known as womb cancer, is one of the most common types of cancer affecting women in Britain.
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After having her kids, Rhian, 17, Thomas, 9 and David, 7, Fiona still suffered from abnormally heavy, painful periods and back pain.
After visiting the doctors she was told she had - non-cancerous growths in the uterus.
Fibroids are very common, with around two in three women developing at least one fibroid at some point in their life.
Many women are unaware they have fibroids because they do not have any symptoms.
They usually don't need treatment and often shrink on their own.
However, for some women, they can cause lower back and stomach pain as well as very heavy periods.
Fiona was prescribed mefenamic and tranexamic acid tablets to help with the heavy bleeding and pain.
The medications helped reduce the bleeding during her periods, but the pain persisted.
'CONSTANT PAIN'
“I went to the doctors several times for pain all over my body constantly and in 2019 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia,” she said.
Fibromyalgia is a long-term condition causing chronic pain throughout the body and will cause increased sensitivity to pain, fatigue, and muscle stiffness.
In January 2021, she went to the doctors again to have an internal examination.
Her doctor thought she could feel fibroids around Fiona's womb so sent her for an ultrasound.
The ultrasound revealed the mum did indeed have fibroids again.
While Fiona was getting a scan at the hospital she could see a "large lump" in her womb that appeared "very veiny and looked quite fiery.”
After having the fibroids removed and biopsied, Fiona waited nine weeks to hear the news that she had endometrial cancer.
Fiona had a hysterectomy to remove her womb, but some cancer still remained in her omentum - which is part of the stomach.
But another surgery to remove the remaining cancer couldn’t be scheduled for months because of the pandemic when the country was in lockdown.
"Besides initial diagnosis and then pathology results, I've had to go to the hospital alone because of Covid,” said Fiona.
“I wasn't allowed visitors after either of my operations.
"It was scary and very lonely," she added.
While waiting for her second surgery, she began chemotherapy, and started noticing side effects after her first session.
“After my first chemotherapy session, I noticed my hair was falling out - so I decided I wanted to shave it off,” said Fiona.
“I wanted to take back control. This way cancer and chemo weren't taking my hair - I was.
“I let my kids help shave my head so they could be involved and then it was a fun thing and it wasn't so scary seeing their mum with no hair," she explained.
Signs of endometrial cancer
There are more than 9,300 new cases of endometrial cancer every year. Sadly, around 2,500 women die of the cancer each year - that's nearly seven every day.
The most common symptom of womb cancer is abnormal bleeding from the vagina.
The bleeding may start as a light bleed with a watery discharge, which may get heavier over time, according to NHS Choices.
As most women who are diagnosed have been through the menopause, any vaginal bleeding will be unusual.
In women who haven't been through the menopause, periods may be heavier than usual or women may experience bleeding between periods.
The symptoms include:
- Abnormal bleeding
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Pain during sex
- Pain in the back
- Loss of appetite
- Tiredness
- Nausea
Most people in Fiona’s life have been supportive of her while she has struggled - but some have shown their true colours.
“My family have rallied around me so much and I've really felt so supported - and I've discovered who my real friends are too,” she said.
“My friends are always in contact to ask how I am and if I need anything, which has been so lovely.
“People I thought were my friends who I'd been there for through their trivial dramas disappeared and don't even acknowledge my diagnosis, so they are no longer part of my life," she said.
In a post on her page, Fiona said: “I have lost followers since telling people I have cancer and posting pictures of me without my hair.
“I've had people tell me I look 'ridiculous' 'bloated' and 'unattractive' and you know what? Not one f*** has been given!
“I'm not here to impress anyone, I don't need anyone's approval.
"I'm here to spread awareness about endometrial cancer and try to stay positive about my diagnosis and treatment and discuss it with anyone who wants to know and share my fight.”
Fiona added that in sharing her journey, she has helped others catch cancer early.
“I've had several friends who because of reading my story have gotten checked themselves and three have had to have hysterectomies due to abnormal cells and cancer present,” she said.
“That's three lives that may have been lost had they not got checked out.”
New analysis has suggested that young people are now more at risk of developing cancer than ever before.
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Experts believe this is because of major changes to the average Western person's diet and lifestyle over the last several decades.
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This includes increased alcohol consumption, lack of sleep, eating lots of highly processed foods, drinking sugary drinks and higher incidences of smoking.
