A Hysterectomy at 30

Last summer, I decided to pursue something bigger than myself. I ran for a local public office. Of course while I wanted to win, what I wanted more was to make a difference in our small, but growing, town. I wanted to start conversations around diversity and inclusion, encourage women that we could do hard things, knock down any walls that said: (1) “but you have diabetes… you can’t do that,” (2) “but you are so young,” or (3) “how are you going to be a mother and be in office” (side note: when was the last time a man was asked “how are you going to be a father and do ____?”).

I also kept the lid on a pretty major surgery while I campaigned for office. Already facing stigmas (see above), the last thing I wanted was to be labeled as “weak” or “sick.” It was the night of my campaign kick-off fundraiser and Tommy Tuberville offered to speak on my behalf. The room was full of over 100 supporters and I was nervous… and hungry.

You see, about seven people knew that I could not eat that evening because I had to be at the hospital the next morning at 5 a.m. for a hysterectomy. The surgery went well and endometriosis was discovered as the culprit of the pain that had plagued me for years. Three days later, I was in the ER due to nausea and crazy blood sugars. Six days post-op, I was out in the 97 degree heat and humidity (in heels) taking video and photos for my campaign material. 24 hours later, I was back in the ER as a direct result of my ventures the day before. 

In addition to being a wife and mother, campaigning, recovering from a hysterectomy, a total of 3 trips to the ER during the campaign, managing type 1 diabetes, and teaching a summer course at Southern Union State Community College, I learned to embrace my village. I could not have survived the summer of 2018 without my husband, parents, family, my campaign manager (Brittany Branyon), and new friends I made along the way.  

Through those anxious and overwhelming, but fulfilling, days of meeting with different groups of people who love our town, my village kept me grounded. I lost 18 pounds from July to September… either because I was too busy or too exhausted to eat. My husband and mom would hand me a protein shake or salad to eat on the go. My village would bring meals and drop them off on the front porch. I probably never ate them, but you fed my husband and son, and I am so grateful for you. 

August 28th arrived and with 25% of the vote, I did not make it into the run-off. Fast forward several months and our newly elected mayor has implemented a Diversity and Inclusion Task Force. This task force is a result of Auburn coming together to celebrate our differences and acknowledge issues that have not been addressed publicly or at length. This is something to celebrate and a great example of why democracy is so important. Elections create opportunities for new discussions and ideas. I am more grateful than ever for my village of precious people but also for my village that I call Auburn. 

Oh, and having the hysterectomy at age 30 was the best decision I ever made. We adopted our son and our family is complete. But if I had to do it over again, I would probably not go through that in the middle of campaigning.