Last week I had my uterus removed. I’d be lying if I said any part of making this decision was easy and it's a surreal situation to be in with the overturn of Roe v. Wade. I thought, at least part of me, would mourn the loss of this organ that holds so much power. Instead, I feel relief that I will never be forced to carry a pregnancy I don’t want. People with a uterus are conditioned to believe pain surrounding our cycle is normal. I made excuses for my pain and just sucked it up. All the while I had the trifecta of fibroids, endometriosis, and adenomyosis ravaging my womb. Part of me is embarrassed it took me so long to take control of my health, and the other part is proud of me for making it to the other side of this surgery that brought me so much anxiety. I couldn’t have done it without a special group of women who shared their experiences, eased my fears, and helped me to find surgeons. Having a uterus/being a woman is hard. The right to choose what we do with our bodies is vital. Abortion is healthcare just as my hysterectomy was. Please consider donating to abortion fund organizations who are working hard to provide safe care for those who need it.