Can’t you just hear It’s A Family Affair by Sly and the Family Stone or better yet Family Reunion by the O’Jays in the background, while you booty bump your mom or aunt and pile a good home cooked on your plate? When you think about those songs or family, don’t we always get a warm and fuzzy feeling? Turns out genetics play a role in what we inherit from our family and sometimes that warm and fuzzy feeling may dissipate. With my genetics, guess what I had a predisposition for? Yep, you guess it, FIBROIDS! Some people no matter what they do, whether it be maintain a strict diet, avoid alcohol or smoking, etc; will have a predisposition for Hypertension, Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Fibroids or whatever their family affair consists of. Just so happens in my case, I got a double whammy; on my maternal side, my mother, grandmother and great grandmother suffered from fibroids that resulted in hysterectomies. And on my paternal side, my father’s mom and sister suffered with other gynecological issues.
Families often avoid discussing what happened to “Big Momma”, “ Aunt Bertha” or how about “Uncle John” or “Uncle Clarence”, but if we knew the medical issues that existed in our families, we could get a jump start on preventative methods as early as adolescence. My family communicates more now that I am older and because of this I know that my family affair consists of fibroids that have been surgically managed and currently being managed holistically.
So next time you hear a song that relates to family, at a family gathering, think about your family history and genetic make-up because it may reveal something like fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and so much more. Please remember that despite the affair you have with your genetic make up, you can always turn it around with diet, exercise, seeking knowledge, seeking alternative healthcare professionals, positive affirmations and a healthy support system. All of these can guide your treatment and support your healing from the inside out. Although it is quite challenging, my fibroids are managed and are consistently shrinking. So now when I hear It’s a Family Reunion or Family Affair, I can continue to experience that warm and fuzzy feeling when I think about family and what it means to me.
Great post Sheve!!!