Anonymous Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania 2024

My journey hasn’t been the easiest, nor for the faint-hearted, but indeed eye-opening as I have learned a lot about the health industry and people who play a part in it. Years ago, a teratoma (diagnosed as Stage 1 cancer) raptured in my right ovary, causing a series of reoccurrences of ovarian cysts that left me hopeless while undergoing surgeries year after year. This problem had gone on for ten years of my life; my youth and joy were robbed of me, which left me traumatized, helpless, and lied to by the different doctors who saw me as a hospital bill rather than a human being. I had always gotten the privilege of being medicated abroad, such as in Malaysia ,India and Turkey.

With all these check-ups, I kept a constant routine of getting tested in Dar es Salaam. By God’s grace, I found a fantastic gynecologist, Dr. Josephine, at Sali Hospital, who was very touched by my case and insisted that I consult Surgical Bliss. She promised me that she has worked well with Denise Milner and has had fantastic success stories from all her past patients. She said that I wouldn't regret my decision and that I would be taken care of and forget about the ovarian cysts for good.

Thank God I took the leap and trusted because all my needs were met. Denise Milner runs a service that makes you feel welcomed; not only does she sort out your accommodation and book your hospital appointments, but she is also there with you hand in hand to support you mentally and spiritually. As I was introduced to Aevitas Clinic in Cape Town, I thought, here we go again, as my faith in hospitals was close to NONE. However, after meeting Prof. Igno Siebert, my prime surgeon and gynecologist, everything changed. The facility was very welcoming, with smiles on all their faces.

I was examined immediately and diagnosed, and surgery was scheduled with no time wasted. Although it was my 7th operation, there was something very different with this facility. The Dr was able to elaborate to me what went on during my operation with laparoscopic images and how I can move forward to staying cyst-free, which is all I have ever wanted.

It was evident that my future involves Egg freezing, which is an excellent way for women to preserve their fertility and give themselves a chance to have a future family. Nevertheless, it is sad that in Africa, egg freezing is looked upon with a specific type of shame and stigma. Egg freezing is a prevailing topic of conversation among women in their 20s and 30s within our culture - as we are reminded nearly every waking minute how the sell-by-dates on our ovaries might fit in with our plans. We’re forced to imagine future versions of ourselves, holograms of life not yet lived. It’s strange being in a bind with our biology. The earlier you know your options, the better. We are constantly reminded to “don’t leave it too late” warning. Women who freeze their eggs are more likely to do so without the practical or emotional support of a partner, which is precisely what happened to me. Even though this whole process was new to me, I never felt alone and cared for very well. The whole process was a 16-day process of injections and one day of retrieval. Since I was chicken to inject myself, Denise was kind enough to inject me at times and even organized a clinic close to where I lived to inject me for free. Egg freezing can be a highly distressing and emotional experience. I am blessed to have been introduced to her Caope Town Clinic, their clinic staff, and the phenomenal Doctors who work daily to make women’s dreams come true. Not only did Denise Milner of Surgical Bliss take me in as just a client, but we grew to become friends; she has helped and guided me through it all. I couldn’t have done it without all these special angels who walked into my life. This is a business to some, but every time I left Capetown, I knew I had a unique team of humans who cared for me immensely.

All in all, Fertility treatments are getting better, more affordable, and more realistic for young women. So go for that consultation; you never know what's promised to you.

Anonymous Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania 2024