BlogFibroids Twitter Chats
Yesterday, we were delighted to host another fibroids Twitter chat. Our special guest was Imani Sorhaindo, a teacher, Curriculum Manager, Life Coach and Facilitator of the Ipswich Black Sisters Fibroid and Womb-Wellness Support Group.
We had a great discussion with Imani about her personal experience with fibroids, her work facilitating the Ipswich Black Sisters Fibroids and Womb-Wellness Support Group, her upcoming book on holistic approaches to fibroids and her first fibroids conference in Dominica.
If you missed the Twitter chat you can read our discussion below. Enjoy!
Hello Twitter family, it's @AbiBegho here and it's my pleasure to welcome you to The Lake Foundation’s #fibroids #TwitterChat. #FibroidsChat (1/4)
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
Today, we’ll be finding out more about the #Ipswich Black Sisters #Fibroids and Womb-Wellness Support Group,an upcoming book on holistic approaches to fibroids and a fibroids conference in Dominica, all organised by our fantastic guest Imani Sorhaindo. #FibroidsChat (2/4)
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
It’s a pleasure to introduce our guest @AuraumB. Please tell us a bit about who you are and what you do. #FibroidsChat (4/4)
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
Hi everyone. I am Imani. I am a Personal Coach, Teacher, Group Facilitator and Community Development Practitioner in Suffolk. I work primarily to uplift and support our communities around health and wellness
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
.@AuraumB You have an incredible bio, let’s start at the beginning; you have had personal experience with #fibroids. Can you tell us a bit about your experience. #FibroidsChat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidChat Well Abi, I first found out I had fibroids about 10 years ago when I was laying on my bed massaging cream on my tummy and I felt a lump. It startled me. I went straight to the doctor only to find I had fibroids. 4 lodgers in my temple.
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
It must have been scary to feel the lump #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat Well, yes it was alarming as I had a cyst on my breast around that time and so I immediately thought about the big C word!. Relieved when I heard it was not that.
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
It definitely sounds like you had a tough time 10 years ago. Really sorry to hear that #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
Were you aware of #fibroids before this point and what did you do next in terms of treatment? #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat I knew very little about fibroids 10 years ago. I knew even less about alternatives to Westernised treatments, but something inside me spurred me on to start my research to heal myself from the symptoms created.
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
That's great that you had the motivation and confidence to go out there and find out more. What was the most useful thing you learned from your research on healing yourself? #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidChat The most profound thing was how diet and emotions play such a role in fibroid growth and acceleration. I had started my journey along the road of Veganism, but started to really appreciate a plant-based diet.
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
#FibroidChat I found that minimising sugar assisted greatly. I also became more familiar with green juicing, organic watercress, celery, cucumber, lettuce, watermelons, broccoli. I started to eat really well and started to herbs (parsley)
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
Great. After you made those changes to your diet did you see a big difference in your symptoms or size of fibroids? #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat The diet really started to make a tremendous change to my physical and mental state. I was getting acne-type symptoms due to hormonal imbalance triggered by fibroids. This disappeared. I stopped getting cramps during menses.
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
#FibroidChat I also appreciated that if I am a part of Nature, then nothing unnatural can heal me!. This was a real revelation about how I lived my life waiting for someone else to be responsible for my health and well-being
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
It sounds like the #fibroids really caused you to do a lot of reflection #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat Well I thought on the surface I was quite healthy. I didn't my lifestyle greatly contributed to the mind, body and spirit disconnection. It was like the fibroids birthed me into a whole new area of work with my community!
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
Yes, I think most of us think were quite healthy but if we look deeply, it's probably not the case.
Your experience with #fibroids really sounds like it was life-changing. #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat It was a very unpleasant appointment as the doctor really couldn't direct me towards a health regime that was holistic enough for me. I asked so many questions and no answers came. At that time I felt quite alone with Fibroids.
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
I am so sorry to hear that you felt so alone and that the appointment was an unpleasant one. We do hear that a lot from women #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
.@AuraumB as time is ticking on we'll move on to your support group.https://t.co/TynNoiXAs6 facilitate the Ipswich Black Sisters Fibroid and Womb-Wellness Support Group. Can you tell us about this group and why it was started? #FibroidsChat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat The support group started from me realising that there were other Black women experiencing these symptoms, and needed to share and heal. Initially, I used my community development skills to just plan a project with a vision. I printed flyers and started to promote
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
That's great that you just got out there and decided to start the support group. There aren't enough opportunities for us to share and support each other. #fibroidschat.
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat Yes, part of the healing is about letting go of secrets. I started to work with many women who were carrying a lot of shame, blame and frustrations which was creating mental and physical imbalances due to toxins. We needed to know it was OK to come together/heal
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
That is sad that women are carrying so much shame and frustration with them and with no outlet it really does affect their #mentalhealth. Definitely more support is needed for women with #fibroids #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat I fully agree. I see that the first thing comes with us asking for help, and know its ok. The other thing is to know that this is serious because the impact of hysterectomies and low vitality has major implications for nation building and for us fulfilling dreams
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat The group focussed on listening to invited guests around breathing, energy balancing, herbology, using supplementation to detoxify, mindfulness as well as practitioners who knew more about the various treatments
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat This was both theory and practice because women often didn't know that part of their anatomy. They often didn't know what type of fibroids they had and were very unsure about what contributes to their formation.
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
What are some of the most common challenges that women in your group raise about fibroids? #fibroidschat @AuraumB
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat Some of the most challenging issues for the women in the group when they first came were: Heavy bleeding, lack of information about alternative treatments and how to begin to reduce or eradicate their fibroids. Stress was also a major factor as many had busy lives
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
What do you think needs to be done to help women address these challenges? What are some of the solutions what we should be working on? #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat Well the first thing is to seek assistance through a Hub, Group or Personal Consultation. Someone who is working on a holistic level to aid healing. The first thing I had to do was to listen!. Then I had to research and start shaping a programme of support.
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
This all sounds really useful. I am sure women get so much from your sessions.
Time is really against us today! Just 15 minutes left so before we move on: where can women get more information about your support group. Do you have a flyer you can share? #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat Flyers. The last one was on 16th Nov. group resumes in January. In the meantime I offer online Womb-Wellness coaching internationally using Facetime or Skype. This works well/Meets busy livestyles for women in Caribbean, UK/US. kmtrisingltd@gmail.com
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
Regarding "letting go" what other methods can one use? Journalling, counselling…?
— army_of_me (@GeneGenie29) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat Yes, there are psychological effects created by our suppression. This could be suppression of antibiotics, trauma etc. This impacts on our delicately-balanced hormonal system and so writing a journal is great. I personally have kept one for over 20years.
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
.@AuraumB In 2018, you’ll be hosting your first fibroids conference in the beautiful island of Dominica. Can you tell us a bit more about this conference? #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat Yes, it is very exciting. I was about to deliver it when Hurricane Erika hit and had to cancel. It will be planned when news comes to me of the level of readiness of the community after such devastation. It will be March or April 2018 in the Capital of Roseau.
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat Planning the lecture and marketing has been a great learning point. My twin lives in Dominica now and there is great interest. I have been invited to speak on the radio and in schools as this issue is becoming prevalent among younger girls
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
.@AuraumB I'm going to slip one more question in before we start winding down😊.
You are currently writing a book on holistic approaches to fibroids, can you tell us about your upcoming book and when it will be published? #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat This book will be birthed in 2018/early 2019. I am halfway through writing it. There is 13 chapters and each one goes into detail as to the multi-faceted way we must tackle our health to eliminate fibroids. The book explores my own personal journey, .continued
— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
Ok folks. We just have 2 minutes left. We'd like to say a massive thank you to @AuraumB for joining us today. It has been wonderful speaking to her. Such an inspirational person. We wish you all the best with your conference, book and support group. #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
Ok folks. We just have 2 minutes left. We'd like to say a massive thank you to @AuraumB for joining us today. It has been wonderful speaking to her. Such an inspirational person. We wish you all the best with your conference, book and support group. #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
Well…sadly we have to go now, but @AuraumB, if people would like to get in touch with you and find out more about your work, how can they reach you? #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat Thank you so much my sisters,. It was a pleasure. Happy Healing.
kmtrisingltd@gmail.com Feel free to stay in touch— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
#FibroidsChat My number for kmtrising is 07909 516 343
Peace always— Auraum B (@AuraumB) November 29, 2017
Thank you for being such a great guest, really interesting discussion #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
Thank you for being such a great guest, really interesting discussion #fibroidschat
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
You're very welcome. We'll have to have you back when you publish your book. #fibroidschat https://t.co/3RNWkxpQL1
— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) November 29, 2017
