Filmmaker Kemi Adetiba has revealed that she might be undergoing a third surgery for fibroids.
The 45-year-old made this known on Thursday while reacting to a post shared by actress Ini Dima-Okojie on Instagram.
Ini, who has been open about her battle with fibroids, gave an update on her journey and encouraged others dealing with the same condition.
She wrote:
“We NEED a cure for fibroids 😭
In the meantime, I hope every woman dealing with it is hanging in there 🥹
Just know that you are not alone 🤎”
Reacting in the comment section, Kemi said:
“I’ve had surgery twice for this already, and it now seems I might need a third. Sigh.”
This is not the first time Kemi is opening up about her fibroid journey. In 2015, she revealed she had secretly battled a severe case of fibroids for years before undergoing surgery.
She wrote:
“I battled with an extreme case of Fibroids in secret for many years. When I say extreme, I mean EXTREME. From being rushed to the ER where the intense PAIN wouldn’t even allow me cry, to being dangerously close to death because of anaemia, to the physical changes, the mental and emotional roller coaster it takes not only YOU, but your loved ones privy to the information.”
Speaking further, the King of Boys director said the situation almost led her to lose her womb.
“Even with all the resources available to me, it was difficult making the right choices. I had one doctor in NY tell me that I would have to take out my ENTIRE womb, that my case was THAT bad. Smh. I was like Errrrmmm I haven’t had kids yet. I got a nonchalant ‘sorry’ and a Kanye-shrug. Things I endured Ehn??? SMH Thank God I found a doctor who thought that was rubbish… And he was a Nigerian… In Nigeria!!”
Kemi said although it took a toll on her mental health, she decided to speak up to help others going through the same struggle.
“It’s definitely something I would love to speak about, hoping that it helps someone out there. I won’t talk about anything other than MY experience. It’s been 6 months since I had the surgery. Even post-surgery is another whahala, but I’m fully healed now and it’s like I have a new lease on life!!
“As you can probably tell from my instagram I kept quiet about it initially as it was a very personal experience that forced me into an extremely fragile mental and emotional space. I wasn’t ready for it to be public. Now that I am healed (by God’s Grace ) I would love to share my story hoping that it would help someone. Maybe a blog, or a video… Not sure yet, but I will do it for you guys. Thanks for all the messages and questions. Keep them coming. I’ll try to answer all that I can, and know you are not alone.”
Kemi’s revelation comes after singer Waje also disclosed that she had surgery to remove 19 fibroids after years of suffering in silence.
Meanwhile, Kemi’s latest project To Kill a Monkey is currently trending on Netflix.
The eight-part crime thriller series, which premiered on July 18, stars William Benson, Bucci Franklin, Stella Damasus, Bimbo Akintola, Chidi Mokeme, Lilian Afegbai and Sunshine Rosman.
The story follows Efemini, a young man pushed into cybercrime by hardship, as he navigates a dangerous world of betrayal, power and survival.
The series has received praise for its strong performances and gripping storyline, with Bimbo Akintola’s portrayal of Inspector Ogunlesi earning particular commendation.
To Kill a Monkey marks Kemi Adetiba’s return to long-form storytelling after King of Boys: The Return of the King, and further cements her reputation as one of Nollywood’s most visionary directors.
