July 22, 2025 • 48 mins
In this episode of Checking In, Michelle and Dr. Andrea Alexander discuss the often-overlooked realities of being a Black woman in medicine. From personal stories of managing depression, anxiety, and OCD, to passionate discussions about fibroids, PCOS, uterine health, and systemic disparities in women’s care, this conversation is both informative and deeply human. Dr. Alexander also shares how social media and storytelling have become tools for healing and impact—serving her purpose far beyond the exam room. CHECK IN to his episode to discover the power of advocating for yourself—mentally, emotionally, and medically.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Checking In with Michelle Williams, a production of
iHeartRadio and The Black Effect. Hello, everyone, I am so
excited about today's episode of Checking In. This young lady
(00:21):
based in Houston, Texas, who is a Board certified obgyn.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
If you don't know what that.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Is, obstetrician slash gynecologist. Obstetrics and gynecology is her specialty.
She hails from Howard University College of Medicine, but she
went to Baylor at first. Y'all, I'm so excited. She
is Doctor Andrea Alexander.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Welcome to Checking In.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Friend, Thank you for having me. I'm so excited to
be here.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Listen, I'm so excited to have you. I love your passion,
I love everything about you.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
I think you are absolutely awesome.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
And to know that you sacrificed a lot of years.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
For school to be who you are.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Tell us, honey, it's a sacrifice. Even when you get
the degrees and the initials by your name, boy boy boy,
it it was a journey.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Like, first of all, thank you so much for having
me this time.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Money.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
I was telling you before, and I really do mean that,
like I've always identified with you so much, Like I
just I love having people who are market and who
always just find the opportunity to like laugh and smile
in the moment and make life not so serious. I
love having people like that in my circle. Yay, thank
you so much for having me. It's such an honor.
(01:54):
But yes, it was a sacrifice in more in more
ways than one, physically, mentally and spiritually. I feel like
I did give up so much, but honestly, the reward
is ten times greater. I honestly feel like God has
given me tenfold of what I have put into this.
(02:16):
And sometimes it's even unreal, like actually sitting back and
thinking like, wow, I really am living my dream when
I was like seventeen and eighteen and second guessing if
I really wanted to go into medicine because it was
eight years of work and all of this money and
all this time, and it was already so much studying.
(02:36):
Like just thinking back, like I'm actually living who I
wanted to be. Sometimes it's very unreal, and I still
get speechless when I think about it.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
You know, m M, you are living who you want
to who you want it to be.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
I have goosebumps.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Because I can.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Imagine you mentoring young people or doing panel and discussions
and people saying, I don't know if I can do.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Eight years. Yeah, did you.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Find that time moved quickly?
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Did you find? Man? By year three?
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Man, I'm marty. Three years in. I got five more
to go. Year five, Dang, I'm in. I'm almost there.
You know, it's so funny. The phrase that they use
is so true. The days are long and the years
are short. Like I just remember feeling like, wow, it's.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Only eleven am, and I feel like I've been here
for like nine hours, and then all of a sudden
you look up and you're graduating and you just don't
know where the time went. And I tell people that
all that time. Actually my bonus daughter, my husband had
a son from a previous relationship, and his child's mother
also has a daughter, and I think one of the
(03:55):
feels that she's interested in entering into is medicine. And
he's like, well, I don't know, it's eight years, and
I'm like, girl, the time is going to pass anyway.
And honestly, like I said, God will give you back
tenfold which you put into it. If he gives you
a vision and he sees you pouring into that vision.
I promise you He's going to give it back to
you tenfold. I never could have imagined being in the
(04:19):
position that I am now, and I've always felt in
my body, in my bones, like very very much so
down to the atoms. Yeah, yeah, let's bring some science
into the discussion, you know, like down to the atoms
that are in my body. Like I've always felt that
I'm supposed to be doing so much more than just medicine,
(04:39):
like just being in a clinical setting or.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
A hot yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Yeah, always felt like I'm supposed to be speaking to
women directly outside of clinics and outside of hospitals. And
just to just think that I'm actually doing that. I
never would have thought he would have put me in
this position.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
And that you do so well, that's what has endeared
me to you. So it seems like medicine was a
springboard for another part of your purpose.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
That's what it is. That's really what it is. I've
always been called super talkative. My mom calls me a
social butterfly. Are you just run into someone you know?
And it's because I'm always talking. I have a talking problem.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, you have a.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Schedule, time slot, girl, we would probably be talking for
like five hours.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Listen, I would want you as a physician because I
believe I could sit in your office and you are
going to talk to me and very thorough and tell
me what is going on with the time that you have.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
I believe you will make great with the time that
you have. Where are you.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
From Originally, I'm from the h h You are from Houston,
not just based in Houston.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Okay, you are from Houston.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Did you have other and we will definitely get to
what you do outside of medicine. I'm just building the
scene here. Did you have other physicians in your family?
Speaker 3 (06:11):
No, I'm the first physician. My mother was the first
college graduate of her family and same as my father.
Him and his brother were right there together. So my
parents were the first generation college graduates. And I definitely
didn't have that many role models in medicine. One which
(06:34):
was my mother's student, and you know, there was a
little bit of an age gap in between us. So
even though we weren't close, we didn't speak all the time,
I still used her as an image in my head
of like, wow, she's really you know who I want
to be, and like that's what I aspired to be.
So while I didn't have anyone in my family. I
(06:56):
definitely looked for. I actively looked for what I wanted
to be because always told me, I think all of
my moms did. This is a this quote is a
staple in all black households. But you lay down with dogs,
you're gonna get fleas, or you lay down with trash
or get fleas in your eyes. It is true. You
are what you eat. You are what you feed your mind.
(07:17):
So I really made it a point to focus on
people that I knew were in circles that I wanted
to be in, and I made sure that that's what
I was feeding my mind.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Where did that come from?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Just listen to my mama, if I'm being honest, just just.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Mama can say certain things and some children one.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Ear out the other. You know, you it stuck, and
you know it's.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Like, why not that it's a bad thing, obviously, because
you are who you are.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
But what what do you think was in you that said,
let me see what she talking about. Let me see.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Honestly, my mother is just everything that I want to be.
And so it made sense that I would listen to
somebody who has gone through life and who okay, woman
that I want to be. I mean, she was dressed
to the tea, dressed to the nine every day going
to work. That hair was laid this blowout everybody be
(08:23):
doing with these flexirods and nights. I'm like, yeah, my
mama looked like that every day, right, Yes, her wardrobe
was always on point, she was always on time. She
spoke to people with elegance and grace. And my mama
worked in the hood. He worked in fi Ward in Houston,
and everybody loved her. The students loved her. Like even
(08:44):
when I would go up to work with her, They're like,
I love your mama like she is loved that, but
they loved her. And that's who I wanted to be.
I wanted to be somebody who dressed well, presented herself well,
but still was able to talk to people and relate
to people on all levels. Because at the end of
(09:05):
the day, we're all human, we're all God's children. Ain't
nobody better than we're all the fames? And she was
who I wanted to be. So it's like, obviously I'm
going to listen to her.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
What would you say to somebody who says I didn't
have that growing up? So does that mean that I
don't have it in me to be who I want
to be.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You know, I honestly might start crying because.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Already, Yeah, I mean, okay, it's a safe place.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Yeah, you know, I'm gonna I feel God speaking to
me in this moment, so I'm going to open up. Yes,
I hope it will be well received with your audience
and with my family. But I'm adopted and since I
was a child. But you know, I learned a lot
(10:02):
about where I came from biologically within the past two
years and it was really hard on me spiritually and
mentally and just thinking about how blessed I am. Yes,
having my mother as my mother is a true testament
(10:26):
of how good God is. I truly believe with everything
in me, I would not be where I am without her.
So to answer your question, it is really hard for
somebody to not have that that support. You know what
I'm saying like that is really hard, and I feel
for those individuals and I just want to, you know,
(10:51):
send out a word of encouragement. Like I said before,
you are what you eat, not even just putting in
your mouth, but putting in your mind. Put things into
your mind that show you what you can be even
there's certain you know, with social media and you know,
just everything that there is out there, There's so many
(11:12):
images that you could be putting into your mind.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It's like no shade to nobody.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
But I still focus on the people who I want
to be. That's why I'm on this podcast now. I
get podcasts off. First off, all the time, you are
somebody that I would want to be. Like, you know
what I'm saying, It's like, so I'm feeding my time,
my energy, my efforts into places that I want to go.
Social media can be fun, it can be engaging, but
(11:39):
if you're sitting and you're engaging with content, with content
that you know, like, we all get bored, we all
look through comments human It's no judgment, but you also
have to stop yourself at some point and be like,
is this what I really want to be focusing my
energy on?
Speaker 2 (11:56):
Is this?
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Could I be doing something more constructive? I'd be looking
at something or constructive. So if you don't have that
support system, that's what I would tell them is to
make sure you're still feeding your mind positive things that
you can see yourself in in the future.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
It's like you almost have to look at what you
do with your time as an investment. It is so
if I'm just doing this all day, scrolling and looking
at comments or what other people are doing, I'm investing
my time in what other people are doing.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Exactly. And you know, Ja Cole said it in one
of his lyrics, and I cannot remember this song right now,
but I think it was. I think it's change off
of his album. He said, you can Oh gosh, I'm
embarrassing myself. What are the lyrics?
Speaker 2 (12:46):
It's I wish I could help you.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
So you can dream, but don't neglect the execution, right
Like we all dream, but at the end of the day,
you gotta get up. The hardest part is getting up.
I tell myself that literally every day. You don't have
to enjoy it all. Get those days where it's like
I'm tired, or even with depression, I still struggle with that.
(13:09):
I tell my husbands all the time, like he's been
a huge support for me. I struggle with depression a lot.
I don't have to like it, I just have to
do it. I mean, how many of.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
Us do that?
Speaker 3 (13:19):
You know what I mean? Like, if you're working, you
might be at work one day. We're like I'm really tired.
I just feel like crying, and you're still pushing through
your job because you need.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
That, right.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
It's like, why can't we do that for ourselves? Like
I don't have to like working out or going to therapy,
or connecting with family and friends, or putting my time,
energy and effort into a passion project. I don't have
to like it for that day, but it's who I
want to become and it deserves that attention. Yes, are
(13:53):
you getting up?
Speaker 1 (13:55):
It's like you're never gonna every day. You are not
going to like the investment that you have to put it.
You're not gonna like it every day, even if you're
mis sage just with you want to talk about stocks
and all that stuff. I don't like going in my
(14:16):
bank account, giving my money to something I don't know.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
I want to keep my money under my mattress.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
I heard that.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
I don't like the investment. But when you get that.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
In that day's gain, I will tell you that's why
my husband deals with that. I don't know what's happening
with the queens. I don't know any of that stuff.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Or let's go maybe not financial, but that fitness investment. Okay,
you're doing them push ups today, You're like, why am
I doing these?
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Why am I doing these dumb pull ups?
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Then you like, I see my back is backing, easy.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
To curves, the hips popping out?
Speaker 2 (15:10):
All right, somebody's what's that speed bump you got going on?
Speaker 3 (15:15):
Baby?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
So it don't feel good. It does not feel good
all the time. You're gonna feel exhausted. The trainer, the
teacher is going to have you push you to do
something beyond what you feel your capacity is. But that's
how you even build the capacity and resilience is by
(15:37):
doing the hard things.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
It also rewires the brain.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Because you'll now have a track record, doctor Alexander of Oh,
I did this hard thing before, I can do it again.
So you're building a track record not only with yourself,
but you're also you can look at your track record
and the receipts with God. God, you did it before, Yes,
me through this depressive episode, before you brought me through uncertainty,
(16:09):
before my track record what.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
You says you gonna do it again?
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Thank you by the way for expressing that.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
You still deal with depression very much.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
So I actually have it all. I have depression, I
have anxiety and I have diagnosed OCD. It's that's the
convulsive disorder I have all three.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Really, thank you so much for being transparent and even
being vulnerable sharing your story of resilience adoption, which comes
with a uncertainty and identity prop you know, like, oh,
wait of what's going on?
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Thank you for sharing that.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
So when people look at you and say, wait, you
you're a doctor.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
You should be able to do something it I have.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
That discussion quite often. You would be surprised and it's
so funny. I literally just had a similar discussion with
family members last week where you know, they say this phrase.
It really irritates me, this whole money can't buy happiness,
and I'm like, I completely disagree. Why do you guys
keep saying that like money? Can you know? It's given
(17:24):
me the opportunity to go with therapy. It gives me
an opportunity to make a choice. It's afforded me the
luxury of being able to afford medication when I needed
I was on lexapro. Lexapro saved me. Okay, it literally
has gotten me through hard times. Like, I completely disagree
with that statement. It's not everything, but it can certainly
(17:45):
help in a lot of areas that you might need it, right,
But I get that all the time, like, oh, you're
a doctor, you should be able to afford things. But
it's not all about affording things either, Like I don't
get sleep, and sleep is detrimental to your neurotransmitter pathway.
You don't have dopamine, you don't have serotonin, and those
are the two neurotransmitters that you need to feel happy,
(18:08):
for lack of better terms, So you know, it's very
difficult to get that if you're not getting sleep.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
My gosh, I do not play about getting my sleep.
I don't play about it at all. I just don't.
I'm not even with my schedule.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
I'm like, okay, you gotta find some time to be
with other humans. Then I started looking at even yesterday
it was about nine thirty. I was like, all right,
I start calculating how much sleep I'm gonna get.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
You tap out early you talk about.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Early, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
But then I lurk around and yesterday I'm watched trying
to catch up on Tyler Perry's new movie. So it's
about midnight, and I was like, girl, you gotta go
to sleep, cause you got to get up. You gotta
do your devotion. You gotta work out, you gotta podcast.
You have a Broadway show at seven clock. There is
their first time seeing the show. Give them a good
(19:05):
show by being alert and not exhausted.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Thank you. You got to come see the show since you
will love it. You will love it.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
I hear so many positive reviews, and I actually grew
up in musical theater, so I actually do like Broadway shows.
I just need love this for the time to come
in now.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
I can't think that don't mean nothing, girl. I love
discovering all this amazing.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
It just it just makes everything that I observe about
you make total total sense. The drama, the laughter, the
almost jazz hands.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
I'm looking for hands.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
I love it all for you.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
I also just admire your advocacy for women's health. Yeah,
I don't know about that, okay, And I don't know
if you have just seen Lupita Yongo posted something about fibroids.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
No, what did she posts?
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Okay, girl, I'm gonna get it right, y'all. This is live.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
This is live right now. I love My audience is like,
what is she gonna? What is she live about? She
was saying in March twenty fourteen, I won an Academy award.
That same year, I discovered I had uterine fibroids, thirty fibroids.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
I had surgery to remove them.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
I asked my doctor if I could do anything to
prevent them from recurring.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
She said, you can't.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
It's only a matter of time until they grow again.
So she begins to tell everyone what uterine fibroids are
and the size of range. Eight out of ten Black
women and seven out of ten white women will experience fibroids,
yet we speak so little of them.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Yes, yeah, it's very infuriating. Actually, and this is actually
a post that I really wanted to talk about because
while I didn't have fibroids, I had a uterine polyop
when I was in residency, and I experienced extreme pain
and bleeding. It was very embarrassing. There were days when
(21:11):
I would soak through my scrubs. You know, despite wearing
a tampon and a sanitary napkin and wearing dark scrubs,
I would still soak through them. I would make little
stains on the couch and at the machines of the gym.
So embarrassing, and I used I actually soaked through my
lab coat. One day in clinic, I messed up the
(21:32):
entire bathroom. It was just like it was like a faucet,
And people don't realize it's actually very frustrating, Like I
just I don't want to scream. It's like they don't
understand how frustrating, how expensive that is, how you're always tired,
you're still going to work. One of my patients actually
(21:52):
enlightened me. I didn't even think about this. She said
that her daughter walked in on her getting out of
the bed and the bed was soaked with blood. Imagine
what that does to your child's psyche to see your
mom yes on the bed. It's like, we just don't
take it seriously, and it's actually very frustrating. I just
want to shake people. I'm like, why is it not
important to you? It's very inferious.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
It cannot be normal.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
Venus Williams recently, you know, has talked about you know,
five boids.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
Now, if you don't mind answer, what is the difference.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Between I guess fibroids and you said uterine polyps are right?
Speaker 3 (22:34):
So there's different layers inside of the uterus. You have
what's called an endothelial layer, which is the lining of
the uterus, and that's actually what develops throughout your twenty
eight day to thirty five day menstrual cycle, and so
that gets shed whenever you're having your men period. Yeah,
sometimes that lining can overgrow and call and form a polyp,
(22:56):
and so that's what I had.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
Pallops will have blood vessels run through them, and if
the blood vessel, you know, just gets exposed to the
upper part of the lining, then you'll pose essentially for
lack of water.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
Are Typically the next layer is the muscle, and fibroids
are growth of the muscle. Now, sometimes that muscle can
impinge on the lining, or can impinge on the topmost surface,
which is a cirosa, but ultimately it's a growth of
the muscle inside of the uterus and the layer is
a sorosa.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Okay, ye'ah. Again, I am talking to doctor Alexander. She
is a board certified oh BN, so that's why she
can tell us what all the layers are, what the
difference is between a fibroid and a pollup to see
(23:50):
women talk about it more. I believe you are a
definitely a trailblazer in that if you identify as male
on this podcast. Just sit with us, Just sit with
(24:11):
a couple more minutes. You know, you might be able
to share this with the loved one, or maybe you're
the caretaker of someone who you might oh, my gosh,
this is language.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Oh let me let them know. It was not until
I got a black gynecologist.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
And a black natural path both female, that were like, yeah,
cycles aren't supposed to be painful or heavy.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
You know what's super frustrating about that is I didn't
know that until I was in residency. I went through
med school bleeding for usually nine days, and I was
soaking through my overnight paths once an hour for the
first three days. And I mean all women experiences like, oh,
(25:03):
that's just your period. You just you know, you just
have heavy periods, and oh, it's supposed to be painful,
not to the point where you're curling up in a
ball and crying or throwing up and passing out, which
is what I used to do when I have to
miss school or work consistently. That is not normal. And
I didn't know that until I was in residency, after
(25:24):
studying the woman's body in medicine. But they, you know,
even when I was studying obgi in in medical school,
like it's not something that's really harped upon, which is
very frustrating.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Women probably think the ap periods are supposed to be
painful and heavy because someone they grew up with you
saw them taking the medicine, buying the big, gigantic pads
and having the moments where you, like you said, you're
somebody witnessing someone you know.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Basically bleed out on on the sheet, and.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
So you just grew up thinking I grew up thinking like, well,
I guess this is what it's supposed to be, and
you have other issues.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
I'm quite sure you were anemic losing all of that blood.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
My levels were never over a level nine until I
I'm someone I truly do appreciate all different types of medicine,
So I hope this will be well received by your audience.
But I had to get a progesterone IUD to save
my life. That's why I will never judge another woman
if they want to use hormonal birth control or if
(26:37):
they want it an IUD. They whatever you want, I
got you because it's so difficult dealing with all of
at bleeding on top of everything else that we have
to go through. Yes, when I got that, iud in
my poll up eventually atrophied or shrunk and fell off
from my lining. Like my hemoglobin levels were never above
(26:58):
a level nine never.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Wow wow, And so we do know that they are.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
So I remember not too long ago. So my ferry
Tine was five, My iron was like eighteen. I think
it was supposed to be eighty.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
And then fairy Tin was five. It was supposed to
be fifty, I think, But then they say they do
try to.
Speaker 1 (27:22):
I guess levels between black women and other races are different.
But that's a whole other conversation. You know, we getting
a little too deep. You sorry, you know, but I
do want to inform people. Yes, my podcast is definitely
the foundation is mental health, right, but these situations can
affect someone's mental health, your self esteem. You will isolate
(27:46):
because you feel like you can't go out in public
or enjoy moments with your close friends and family because
you're like, I have to be near the bathroom, you
know what I mean. So thank you so much much
for sharing that, because I was definitely my question was
going to be where did the passion come from? But
it is because you have experienced this.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Firsthand.
Speaker 3 (28:12):
Well, also, I was gonna say, you know, just growing
up with my parents grew up in the civil rights era,
so you know, growing up, my mom took me to
our coke closet, which was not big at all. And
you know, my mom always talks to me about, you know,
things that she experienced growing up, and she's like, just
so you know, this was the size of a waiting
room where black people had to wait. And I'm like, what,
(28:34):
there's only room for like one person to fit in here,
and she's like, I know, we would all just be
standing yeah together, and I'm like that's so inhumane. So,
you know, hearing stories like that really affected me. I
also was misdiagnosed with my PCOS. I once again thought
this heavy bleeding was normal. So before I had my
(28:56):
I'm sorry. After I had my poll up, you know,
I still was have heavy period. Once again, I just
thought this was normal. I was in clinic one day actually,
and my ultrascenographer was doing an ultrasound on me because
I thought my IUD had moved because I was in
so much pain, and she was like, hey, FYI you
have PCOS. Like your ovaries look crazy, and she showed
(29:19):
them to me, and they did. They looked absolutely insane,
and I was like, that's insane. How how many ultrasounds
I've had and how many obgi ns I've been to
And they were like, well, we don't know why you
have heavy periods. Until I got a black obg in
and she, you know, saw I had a poll up
and recommended the IUD, but she had moved to Atlanta,
so I didn't have her anymore. But you know, even nowadays,
(29:42):
when I'm when I'm in the hospital, I always make
it a point to look at the ovaries on the
ultrasound because if I'm being honest, I'm not trying to
throw shade on anyone. I'm really not trying to talk
bad about anybody. But the radiologists don't comment on the ovaries.
If they don't, I don't see a huge cyst they're
(30:03):
going to comment on. If it's pcos, they're just not
going to.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
And when you say the pcos, you're looking for, like,
how many follicles are.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
All that ovary?
Speaker 3 (30:13):
Yes, the follicles, the location, the size. Usually with pcos,
what happens is is you have too many androgens inside
of your body, and so it's normal for your ovary
to develop cysts. That's actually the sacks that the eggs
develop in or you ovulate. So it's normal to have,
you know, like a one centimeter two centimeter cyst, but
if you have several of those and they're all on
(30:34):
the outside of the ovary, that pretty much shows that
you too much androgens in your body and those cysts
can properly develop.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Listen, I haven't sitting here shaking my head. Almost give
me angry because it's like, I don't you know you
ever the conspiracy theorist that I think we all have
one in our family or one and other.
Speaker 3 (30:57):
That's me. That's me.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Don't be saying stuff.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
But once I got my hands on a black female gynecologe,
actually there was I had, I've had a black male
gynic collogiest, but that medical system was they were just
put throat, putting us in and out like we were cattle.
Like there was not a lot of time to really
ask questions. But I don't know, I'm like, why are
(31:25):
we dealing with this? Why are so many black women
coming out with these stories?
Speaker 3 (31:29):
And I'm like, are y'all.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Trying to keep us infertile? Like purpose not y'all no, no, no,
as in black.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
Let me see right now, I know I ain't okay.
I know I'm not a part of that, so that
ain't me. So I'll never be offended.
Speaker 1 (31:51):
All if if if people, if you're if you're in school,
and you know yet your cycle shouldn't be this heavy.
And I know you people don't want to get us
too dependent on paying meds and all of that stuff.
But if there are certain options and you're not telling us,
and you're saying this is normal when it's not supposed
(32:14):
to be normal, that's not okay.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
I agree ten thousand percent. I think there's so many
factors as to why that is. Number one, we don't
put a lot of money into women's research. I believe
it's only like one or two percent of the federal
funding that goes into NIH and women's studies, and unfortunately,
in this climate nowadays, it's probably going to be a
little bit less. So the reality is is, like I said,
(32:38):
I went through all of medical school. I went to
the Howard University, and we did not. Unfortunately, this is
something that all medical schools experience. I'm sure like we
don't get the best education in women's health we don't
get the best education and nutrition. And like I said,
I'm a little bit of theres but I truly do
believe that. I don't want to say that America wants
(33:01):
to keep us sick and capitalize off of treatment, but
I do kind of believe that theory a little bit
because I will never understand. I went to Atlanta this
past weekend on a girls trip my best friends from
med school, and we were just talking like it this
medical system does not make any sense. We don't learn
(33:22):
about nutrition that to me makes no sense, Like food
is medicine and yet you're not teaching us about that
in medicales.
Speaker 1 (33:32):
Yes, and how certain foods grow the fibroids, you know,
what can shrink them. I love coffee, but I had
no idea caffeine is kind of a trigger for the
growth of polyps and fibroids. And like dang, okay, you know,
(33:53):
and just like you said, just it's kind of the
foods that we don't really like to eat. But that's
I mean, I've enjoyed bell peppers. I eat them like
apples because I know the now, you know, learning the
benefits of y'all our diet is so important to even
(34:13):
some of the issues you may be facing internally. Even
gut health is linked to mental health. Inflammation overall, just
inflammation period is like a common thread of a lot
of chronic illnesses is inflammation.
Speaker 3 (34:29):
I guess correct. A lot of people don't realize that
fat formation, the actual formation of fatty tissue inside of
your body, is the process of inflammation.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (34:45):
Yeah, your cardiovascular system that is a result of inflammation.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
So yeah, yeah, doctor Alexander, I'm excited to have you on.
You have also your social media.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
Your content has a bunch of laughter and comedy. I'm like,
is she a stand up comedian as well? What is
going on here?
Speaker 3 (35:10):
When you started?
Speaker 2 (35:11):
I should say, did you get pushed back from your
peers or anyone? Say, you know, you're a doctor, you
shouldn't be doing this.
Speaker 3 (35:18):
Absolutely, you know. I actually was thinking about this the
other day when I was telling people about how the
male DNA contributes to the formation of the placenta, the
mitochondria inside of the placental cells. I got so much
pushback for that, like you guys have no idea, Like
(35:42):
how many people were like not necessarily mad at me,
but saying like this is misinformation, and why did you
tell that now me. Like I said, we didn't get
the best education on women's health in med school. That's anybody.
That's not just where I went to. But I do
specific remember us learning that the male DNA contributes to
(36:04):
the formation of the mitochondria, the energy, the powerhouse of
the cell in the placenta, Like that is something I
specifically remember. And I'm like, okay, so wait a minute,
I feel like that. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
I was like, you know, say something, but you were
saying science. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
I was like, no, I don't want to use these
trigger terms or hot terms. And I was like, I
feel like I'm being gas lit. And so I looked
into it and I'm like, guys, the studies are here,
like you, it literally takes a sperm and an egg
to make a baby. And you're saying, well, not anymore
that there's new assisted reproductive technologies, but in general, when
(36:40):
you have male DNA and female DNA combining to make
a baby, you really think that that man doesn't contribute
at all. Like I was just very infuriated by a
lot of these people, and I would have women telling
me in the comments and in my DNS saying yeah,
I said this to my obijan, and she said that's
(37:01):
not true.
Speaker 2 (37:01):
She did you hear what I said? She?
Speaker 3 (37:04):
I'm like, so, why did you entern into the spield
sis like you? I thought we wanted to help women,
and yet we're being just.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
I just don't. I wasn't.
Speaker 1 (37:18):
I think with your whole other conversation, Andrea, about even
how women take the burden of if they're not able
to conceive, we automatically.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
Say it's us, like, no baby, you too. Your sperm
con is probably low.
Speaker 3 (37:35):
Absolutely, we don't. We don't talk about that enough. About
how at least one in four miscarriages are due to
male DNA, we don't talk about that. And I could
not tell you guys, how often I see women crying
and blaming themselves, like is this something I did wrong?
Like what did I do wrong? Like I thought, well,
(37:56):
I did take ivyprofen this one time when I thought
I had my per but really it might have been
implantation spotty, And did I cause this? Like oh my god,
I hate my like you would you. When you are
in the four walls in private with these patients, bring
them speak is really moving, and it, at least for me,
it motivates me to validate first. That's huge in healthcare.
(38:21):
I'm like, I can't stand it when people just I'm like,
you don't understand how just validating somebody's feelings and emotions
like how long that can go? Like hearing them speak,
it just makes me want to validate first and to
continue to educate myself on women's health because ain't nobody
else gonna do it at this point.
Speaker 1 (38:41):
Unfortunately, listen, I didn't intend for the for the conversation
to even go in this direction, but I was like,
while I have you here, this is amazing, and this
is what you're passionate about. You also advocate for this,
but also honoring the other part of.
Speaker 4 (38:58):
You, who is human, who is woman, you know who
We've discussed how you live, still live.
Speaker 1 (39:10):
With depression, but yet you still show up for us,
and so we thank you. I thank you, especially for
someone who also depends on the medical system.
Speaker 2 (39:23):
Thank you for showing up. But also at the same
time praying that you're continuing to pour into yourself.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
Yeah, you know, I don't want to sound cheesy, but
doing content is pouring into myself. I don't want to
sound like, like I said, cheesy, but this stuff really
does make me happy. It makes me happy to see
comments and dms from women like you really did help
(39:50):
me like this. I was diagnosed with this because I
decided to go in because of this, and I didn't
know that this was normal, so I decided. It really
doesn't make me happy. And my father was huge on
black advocacy. I honestly think he might've been a black panther.
You know, he's like very serious about helping black people,
(40:12):
advocating for black people. And I lost him when I
was five to colon cancer.
Speaker 2 (40:16):
I'm so sorry.
Speaker 3 (40:18):
Well that's okay. I mean, like I said, God will
give you things back tenfold, and just thinking about how
my content is really a continuation of his legacy. I'm helping, yes,
all women, Like yes, I want to help all women
because we all share a lot of commonalities and being
(40:38):
dismissed and you know, just the things that we have
to go through living in a patriarchal society. I get that,
but specifically black women, yes, women who look like me
is and who look like my mother, Like, that's that
is what brings me joy. I don't care if I'm
tired or post call like I know, like, okay, just
(40:58):
make the video because you know, the outcome of the
video is going to make you happy, even if it's
like on my last video it got like no traction,
no likes, But still I know I helped someone, and
like that's what's most important to me, Like still educating
and getting the world talking to women who look like me,
Like that's the most important thing for me.
Speaker 2 (41:21):
You are absolutely awesome. I know you love my good friend.
Doctor Amira is my girl. What I tell you, everybody's girl.
Speaker 1 (41:31):
I'm been like that's my best friend, and then it'd
be like that's my best friend. So doctor Amyra is
basically everybody's best.
Speaker 3 (41:39):
And best friend. But when I talk to people about
or what I mentioned earlier about beating your mind, she's
one of those girls. Yes, she is a wonderful wife,
a beautiful mother, fashion for listen, outfits, face body on tea,
and she is such a positive human being, Like she
(41:59):
her mind, you know what I'm saying, Like I don't
think everybody is blessed with that, like worthy you have
empathy towards people and still want to like give back
to people, Like she's one of those people. So we
may not talk all the time, Like I'm still that
is somebody who I'm like, I want to be that.
Speaker 1 (42:19):
Oh, I know she says the same thing about you,
and again going back to yes, y'all, she's a doctor.
And I hope people at the family gatherings don't be
wearing you out by asking you a whole bunch of
medicinal questions because there are three doctors in my family,
two family practice and one emergency medicine physician. And I
(42:44):
try to not talk medicine, but especially the one of
the er. I'd be like, bro, he'd be having before.
You know, he's volunteering stories as much as he can.
You can't divulge too much, but this, like I even
went to say. I even went to the er and
he was my attending position because I thought I broke
(43:05):
my toe and.
Speaker 2 (43:06):
He was absolutely, oh girl. But yeah, I just want
to thank you for your time today and just you're
just beautiful. We've had a good time. I hope you
know that you are a friend of checking in.
Speaker 3 (43:23):
This is home for you and to you.
Speaker 2 (43:26):
Any time you want to come and just chat. The
door is open.
Speaker 3 (43:31):
You can call me anytime. I I love what you're doing.
I have said this even when I was diagnosed. Sorry,
I told you, come on, let's go.
Speaker 2 (43:42):
I'm trying to respect you and that hold you, but
we can talk.
Speaker 3 (43:47):
I love talking about this stuff, Like I could literally
I told you, if we didn't have a time loot,
I would literally be on here for five hours, like I.
Speaker 2 (43:55):
Just got to come to Houston, and you just gotta
come to New York and we'll have all.
Speaker 3 (43:59):
Right, that's right. But I was gonna say that even
when I, you know, was diagnosed with depression and OCD
and anxiety, it really sparked a new thought process in
my mind of well, how come we can treat the
heart and those patients can take medication and they're not
(44:20):
considered at all you just crazy or like you know,
or if somebody has kidney disease or you know, if
somebody needs surgery, they can you know, do that without
any type of stigma where it's like if it's your mind,
the brain is also an organ, you know, so if
it's not functioning in those neurotransmitter pathways, then why are
we judged for getting the help that we need, Like
(44:43):
if we go to therapy, if we just need medication
for a little bit just to get us over a hump,
if we need to talk to somebody if we need
to check ourselves in where somebody else can just watch
us just for a little bit. Why are we judged
for things like that but other people aren't when other
organs in the body are are malfunctioning. I just I
(45:03):
don't think it's fair.
Speaker 1 (45:05):
Listen, one conversation at a time, conversations are definitely changing.
Speaker 2 (45:15):
With people like us talking about it. The fact that
what we think crazy is.
Speaker 1 (45:25):
You know the fact that you can, you are high functioning,
still showing up in society and still working with you know,
the diagnosis of depression and those moments where it can
overtake you. You know, you still show up even though
it is crazy hard. Sometimes depression can feel like a
weighted blanket.
Speaker 2 (45:46):
Is on you, right, But the moments.
Speaker 1 (45:50):
Where you allow yourself to be like, all right, I'm
gonna just say I'm gonna eat this tub of ice cream.
Speaker 2 (45:55):
My feelings it literally it literally passes. You know, it sucks,
it is not fun at all.
Speaker 1 (46:08):
But again, the work that we do, one conversation at
a time is changing how people feel about mental health
and mental illness. I say it all the time, I
know you say it to everybody, does not have mental illness,
but we all have mental health, brain health. If you
(46:29):
have a heart health, you got brain health too. And
so we're just doing everything that we can to let
people know, Hey, Yo, it's okay when you're not when
you feel like you're not feeling.
Speaker 2 (46:37):
Yourself, but it's not okay to be to suffer in silence.
And I get the help you need. Absolutely, yeah, Sis,
thank you for checking in.
Speaker 3 (46:46):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (46:48):
Let's do this again. I enjoy our comment anytime. Let's
do this again, honey, thank you so much. We'll see
you again.
Speaker 1 (48:14):
Checking In with Michelle Williams is a production of iHeartRadio
and The Black Effect. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit
the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you listen to
your favorite shows.
Welcome to Checking In with Michelle Williams, a production of
iHeartRadio and The Black Effect. Hello, everyone, I am so
excited about today's episode of Checking In. This young lady
(00:21):
based in Houston, Texas, who is a Board certified obgyn.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
If you don't know what that.
Speaker 1 (00:29):
Is, obstetrician slash gynecologist. Obstetrics and gynecology is her specialty.
She hails from Howard University College of Medicine, but she
went to Baylor at first. Y'all, I'm so excited. She
is Doctor Andrea Alexander.
Speaker 2 (00:47):
Welcome to Checking In.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Friend, Thank you for having me. I'm so excited to
be here.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Listen, I'm so excited to have you. I love your passion,
I love everything about you.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
I think you are absolutely awesome.
Speaker 1 (01:03):
And to know that you sacrificed a lot of years.
Speaker 2 (01:08):
For school to be who you are.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Tell us, honey, it's a sacrifice. Even when you get
the degrees and the initials by your name, boy boy boy,
it it was a journey.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
Like, first of all, thank you so much for having
me this time.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
Money.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
I was telling you before, and I really do mean that,
like I've always identified with you so much, Like I
just I love having people who are market and who
always just find the opportunity to like laugh and smile
in the moment and make life not so serious. I
love having people like that in my circle. Yay, thank
you so much for having me. It's such an honor.
(01:54):
But yes, it was a sacrifice in more in more
ways than one, physically, mentally and spiritually. I feel like
I did give up so much, but honestly, the reward
is ten times greater. I honestly feel like God has
given me tenfold of what I have put into this.
(02:16):
And sometimes it's even unreal, like actually sitting back and
thinking like, wow, I really am living my dream when
I was like seventeen and eighteen and second guessing if
I really wanted to go into medicine because it was
eight years of work and all of this money and
all this time, and it was already so much studying.
(02:36):
Like just thinking back, like I'm actually living who I
wanted to be. Sometimes it's very unreal, and I still
get speechless when I think about it.
Speaker 1 (02:46):
You know, m M, you are living who you want
to who you want it to be.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
I have goosebumps.
Speaker 3 (02:54):
Because I can.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Imagine you mentoring young people or doing panel and discussions
and people saying, I don't know if I can do.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Eight years. Yeah, did you.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
Find that time moved quickly?
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Did you find? Man? By year three?
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Man, I'm marty. Three years in. I got five more
to go. Year five, Dang, I'm in. I'm almost there.
You know, it's so funny. The phrase that they use
is so true. The days are long and the years
are short. Like I just remember feeling like, wow, it's.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Only eleven am, and I feel like I've been here
for like nine hours, and then all of a sudden
you look up and you're graduating and you just don't
know where the time went. And I tell people that
all that time. Actually my bonus daughter, my husband had
a son from a previous relationship, and his child's mother
also has a daughter, and I think one of the
(03:55):
feels that she's interested in entering into is medicine. And
he's like, well, I don't know, it's eight years, and
I'm like, girl, the time is going to pass anyway.
And honestly, like I said, God will give you back
tenfold which you put into it. If he gives you
a vision and he sees you pouring into that vision.
I promise you He's going to give it back to
you tenfold. I never could have imagined being in the
(04:19):
position that I am now, and I've always felt in
my body, in my bones, like very very much so
down to the atoms. Yeah, yeah, let's bring some science
into the discussion, you know, like down to the atoms
that are in my body. Like I've always felt that
I'm supposed to be doing so much more than just medicine,
(04:39):
like just being in a clinical setting or.
Speaker 2 (04:41):
A hot yeah.
Speaker 3 (04:42):
Yeah, always felt like I'm supposed to be speaking to
women directly outside of clinics and outside of hospitals. And
just to just think that I'm actually doing that. I
never would have thought he would have put me in
this position.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
And that you do so well, that's what has endeared
me to you. So it seems like medicine was a
springboard for another part of your purpose.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
That's what it is. That's really what it is. I've
always been called super talkative. My mom calls me a
social butterfly. Are you just run into someone you know?
And it's because I'm always talking. I have a talking problem.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah, you have a.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
Schedule, time slot, girl, we would probably be talking for
like five hours.
Speaker 1 (05:32):
Listen, I would want you as a physician because I
believe I could sit in your office and you are
going to talk to me and very thorough and tell
me what is going on with the time that you have.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
I believe you will make great with the time that
you have. Where are you.
Speaker 1 (05:52):
From Originally, I'm from the h h You are from Houston,
not just based in Houston.
Speaker 2 (05:58):
Okay, you are from Houston.
Speaker 1 (06:00):
Did you have other and we will definitely get to
what you do outside of medicine. I'm just building the
scene here. Did you have other physicians in your family?
Speaker 3 (06:11):
No, I'm the first physician. My mother was the first
college graduate of her family and same as my father.
Him and his brother were right there together. So my
parents were the first generation college graduates. And I definitely
didn't have that many role models in medicine. One which
(06:34):
was my mother's student, and you know, there was a
little bit of an age gap in between us. So
even though we weren't close, we didn't speak all the time,
I still used her as an image in my head
of like, wow, she's really you know who I want
to be, and like that's what I aspired to be.
So while I didn't have anyone in my family. I
(06:56):
definitely looked for. I actively looked for what I wanted
to be because always told me, I think all of
my moms did. This is a this quote is a
staple in all black households. But you lay down with dogs,
you're gonna get fleas, or you lay down with trash
or get fleas in your eyes. It is true. You
are what you eat. You are what you feed your mind.
(07:17):
So I really made it a point to focus on
people that I knew were in circles that I wanted
to be in, and I made sure that that's what
I was feeding my mind.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Where did that come from?
Speaker 3 (07:33):
Just listen to my mama, if I'm being honest, just just.
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Mama can say certain things and some children one.
Speaker 2 (07:44):
Ear out the other. You know, you it stuck, and
you know it's.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Like, why not that it's a bad thing, obviously, because
you are who you are.
Speaker 2 (07:56):
But what what do you think was in you that said,
let me see what she talking about. Let me see.
Speaker 3 (08:02):
Honestly, my mother is just everything that I want to be.
And so it made sense that I would listen to
somebody who has gone through life and who okay, woman
that I want to be. I mean, she was dressed
to the tea, dressed to the nine every day going
to work. That hair was laid this blowout everybody be
(08:23):
doing with these flexirods and nights. I'm like, yeah, my
mama looked like that every day, right, Yes, her wardrobe
was always on point, she was always on time. She
spoke to people with elegance and grace. And my mama
worked in the hood. He worked in fi Ward in Houston,
and everybody loved her. The students loved her. Like even
(08:44):
when I would go up to work with her, They're like,
I love your mama like she is loved that, but
they loved her. And that's who I wanted to be.
I wanted to be somebody who dressed well, presented herself well,
but still was able to talk to people and relate
to people on all levels. Because at the end of
(09:05):
the day, we're all human, we're all God's children. Ain't
nobody better than we're all the fames? And she was
who I wanted to be. So it's like, obviously I'm
going to listen to her.
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (09:18):
What would you say to somebody who says I didn't
have that growing up? So does that mean that I
don't have it in me to be who I want
to be.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You know, I honestly might start crying because.
Speaker 1 (09:33):
Already, Yeah, I mean, okay, it's a safe place.
Speaker 3 (09:40):
Yeah, you know, I'm gonna I feel God speaking to
me in this moment, so I'm going to open up. Yes,
I hope it will be well received with your audience
and with my family. But I'm adopted and since I
was a child. But you know, I learned a lot
(10:02):
about where I came from biologically within the past two
years and it was really hard on me spiritually and
mentally and just thinking about how blessed I am. Yes,
having my mother as my mother is a true testament
(10:26):
of how good God is. I truly believe with everything
in me, I would not be where I am without her.
So to answer your question, it is really hard for
somebody to not have that that support. You know what
I'm saying like that is really hard, and I feel
for those individuals and I just want to, you know,
(10:51):
send out a word of encouragement. Like I said before,
you are what you eat, not even just putting in
your mouth, but putting in your mind. Put things into
your mind that show you what you can be even
there's certain you know, with social media and you know,
just everything that there is out there, There's so many
(11:12):
images that you could be putting into your mind.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
It's like no shade to nobody.
Speaker 3 (11:17):
But I still focus on the people who I want
to be. That's why I'm on this podcast now. I
get podcasts off. First off, all the time, you are
somebody that I would want to be. Like, you know
what I'm saying, It's like, so I'm feeding my time,
my energy, my efforts into places that I want to go.
Social media can be fun, it can be engaging, but
(11:39):
if you're sitting and you're engaging with content, with content
that you know, like, we all get bored, we all
look through comments human It's no judgment, but you also
have to stop yourself at some point and be like,
is this what I really want to be focusing my
energy on?
Speaker 2 (11:56):
Is this?
Speaker 3 (11:58):
Could I be doing something more constructive? I'd be looking
at something or constructive. So if you don't have that
support system, that's what I would tell them is to
make sure you're still feeding your mind positive things that
you can see yourself in in the future.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
It's like you almost have to look at what you
do with your time as an investment. It is so
if I'm just doing this all day, scrolling and looking
at comments or what other people are doing, I'm investing
my time in what other people are doing.
Speaker 3 (12:33):
Exactly. And you know, Ja Cole said it in one
of his lyrics, and I cannot remember this song right now,
but I think it was. I think it's change off
of his album. He said, you can Oh gosh, I'm
embarrassing myself. What are the lyrics?
Speaker 2 (12:46):
It's I wish I could help you.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
So you can dream, but don't neglect the execution, right
Like we all dream, but at the end of the day,
you gotta get up. The hardest part is getting up.
I tell myself that literally every day. You don't have
to enjoy it all. Get those days where it's like
I'm tired, or even with depression, I still struggle with that.
(13:09):
I tell my husbands all the time, like he's been
a huge support for me. I struggle with depression a lot.
I don't have to like it, I just have to
do it. I mean, how many of.
Speaker 2 (13:19):
Us do that?
Speaker 3 (13:19):
You know what I mean? Like, if you're working, you
might be at work one day. We're like I'm really tired.
I just feel like crying, and you're still pushing through
your job because you need.
Speaker 2 (13:29):
That, right.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
It's like, why can't we do that for ourselves? Like
I don't have to like working out or going to therapy,
or connecting with family and friends, or putting my time,
energy and effort into a passion project. I don't have
to like it for that day, but it's who I
want to become and it deserves that attention. Yes, are
(13:53):
you getting up?
Speaker 1 (13:55):
It's like you're never gonna every day. You are not
going to like the investment that you have to put it.
You're not gonna like it every day, even if you're
mis sage just with you want to talk about stocks
and all that stuff. I don't like going in my
(14:16):
bank account, giving my money to something I don't know.
Speaker 2 (14:24):
I want to keep my money under my mattress.
Speaker 3 (14:27):
I heard that.
Speaker 2 (14:28):
I don't like the investment. But when you get that.
Speaker 3 (14:33):
In that day's gain, I will tell you that's why
my husband deals with that. I don't know what's happening
with the queens. I don't know any of that stuff.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
Or let's go maybe not financial, but that fitness investment. Okay,
you're doing them push ups today, You're like, why am
I doing these?
Speaker 2 (14:59):
Why am I doing these dumb pull ups?
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Then you like, I see my back is backing, easy.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
To curves, the hips popping out?
Speaker 2 (15:10):
All right, somebody's what's that speed bump you got going on?
Speaker 3 (15:15):
Baby?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
So it don't feel good. It does not feel good
all the time. You're gonna feel exhausted. The trainer, the
teacher is going to have you push you to do
something beyond what you feel your capacity is. But that's
how you even build the capacity and resilience is by
(15:37):
doing the hard things.
Speaker 2 (15:41):
It also rewires the brain.
Speaker 1 (15:46):
Because you'll now have a track record, doctor Alexander of Oh,
I did this hard thing before, I can do it again.
So you're building a track record not only with yourself,
but you're also you can look at your track record
and the receipts with God. God, you did it before, Yes,
me through this depressive episode, before you brought me through uncertainty,
(16:09):
before my track record what.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
You says you gonna do it again?
Speaker 3 (16:14):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Thank you by the way for expressing that.
Speaker 2 (16:22):
You still deal with depression very much.
Speaker 3 (16:27):
So I actually have it all. I have depression, I
have anxiety and I have diagnosed OCD. It's that's the
convulsive disorder I have all three.
Speaker 1 (16:37):
Really, thank you so much for being transparent and even
being vulnerable sharing your story of resilience adoption, which comes
with a uncertainty and identity prop you know, like, oh,
wait of what's going on?
Speaker 2 (16:52):
Thank you for sharing that.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
So when people look at you and say, wait, you
you're a doctor.
Speaker 2 (16:58):
You should be able to do something it I have.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
That discussion quite often. You would be surprised and it's
so funny. I literally just had a similar discussion with
family members last week where you know, they say this phrase.
It really irritates me, this whole money can't buy happiness,
and I'm like, I completely disagree. Why do you guys
keep saying that like money? Can you know? It's given
(17:24):
me the opportunity to go with therapy. It gives me
an opportunity to make a choice. It's afforded me the
luxury of being able to afford medication when I needed
I was on lexapro. Lexapro saved me. Okay, it literally
has gotten me through hard times. Like, I completely disagree
with that statement. It's not everything, but it can certainly
(17:45):
help in a lot of areas that you might need it, right,
But I get that all the time, like, oh, you're
a doctor, you should be able to afford things. But
it's not all about affording things either, Like I don't
get sleep, and sleep is detrimental to your neurotransmitter pathway.
You don't have dopamine, you don't have serotonin, and those
are the two neurotransmitters that you need to feel happy,
(18:08):
for lack of better terms, So you know, it's very
difficult to get that if you're not getting sleep.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
My gosh, I do not play about getting my sleep.
I don't play about it at all. I just don't.
I'm not even with my schedule.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
I'm like, okay, you gotta find some time to be
with other humans. Then I started looking at even yesterday
it was about nine thirty. I was like, all right,
I start calculating how much sleep I'm gonna get.
Speaker 3 (18:39):
You tap out early you talk about.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Early, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (18:44):
But then I lurk around and yesterday I'm watched trying
to catch up on Tyler Perry's new movie. So it's
about midnight, and I was like, girl, you gotta go
to sleep, cause you got to get up. You gotta
do your devotion. You gotta work out, you gotta podcast.
You have a Broadway show at seven clock. There is
their first time seeing the show. Give them a good
(19:05):
show by being alert and not exhausted.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Thank you. You got to come see the show since you
will love it. You will love it.
Speaker 3 (19:15):
I hear so many positive reviews, and I actually grew
up in musical theater, so I actually do like Broadway shows.
I just need love this for the time to come
in now.
Speaker 2 (19:27):
I can't think that don't mean nothing, girl. I love
discovering all this amazing.
Speaker 1 (19:35):
It just it just makes everything that I observe about
you make total total sense. The drama, the laughter, the
almost jazz hands.
Speaker 3 (19:49):
I'm looking for hands.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
I love it.
Speaker 3 (19:52):
I love it all for you.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
I also just admire your advocacy for women's health. Yeah,
I don't know about that, okay, And I don't know
if you have just seen Lupita Yongo posted something about fibroids.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
No, what did she posts?
Speaker 2 (20:12):
Okay, girl, I'm gonna get it right, y'all. This is live.
Speaker 1 (20:15):
This is live right now. I love My audience is like,
what is she gonna? What is she live about? She
was saying in March twenty fourteen, I won an Academy award.
That same year, I discovered I had uterine fibroids, thirty fibroids.
Speaker 2 (20:30):
I had surgery to remove them.
Speaker 1 (20:32):
I asked my doctor if I could do anything to
prevent them from recurring.
Speaker 2 (20:35):
She said, you can't.
Speaker 1 (20:35):
It's only a matter of time until they grow again.
So she begins to tell everyone what uterine fibroids are
and the size of range. Eight out of ten Black
women and seven out of ten white women will experience fibroids,
yet we speak so little of them.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Yes, yeah, it's very infuriating. Actually, and this is actually
a post that I really wanted to talk about because
while I didn't have fibroids, I had a uterine polyop
when I was in residency, and I experienced extreme pain
and bleeding. It was very embarrassing. There were days when
(21:11):
I would soak through my scrubs. You know, despite wearing
a tampon and a sanitary napkin and wearing dark scrubs,
I would still soak through them. I would make little
stains on the couch and at the machines of the gym.
So embarrassing, and I used I actually soaked through my
lab coat. One day in clinic, I messed up the
(21:32):
entire bathroom. It was just like it was like a faucet,
And people don't realize it's actually very frustrating, Like I
just I don't want to scream. It's like they don't
understand how frustrating, how expensive that is, how you're always tired,
you're still going to work. One of my patients actually
(21:52):
enlightened me. I didn't even think about this. She said
that her daughter walked in on her getting out of
the bed and the bed was soaked with blood. Imagine
what that does to your child's psyche to see your
mom yes on the bed. It's like, we just don't
take it seriously, and it's actually very frustrating. I just
want to shake people. I'm like, why is it not
important to you? It's very inferious.
Speaker 2 (22:15):
It cannot be normal.
Speaker 1 (22:21):
Venus Williams recently, you know, has talked about you know,
five boids.
Speaker 2 (22:27):
Now, if you don't mind answer, what is the difference.
Speaker 1 (22:28):
Between I guess fibroids and you said uterine polyps are right?
Speaker 3 (22:34):
So there's different layers inside of the uterus. You have
what's called an endothelial layer, which is the lining of
the uterus, and that's actually what develops throughout your twenty
eight day to thirty five day menstrual cycle, and so
that gets shed whenever you're having your men period. Yeah,
sometimes that lining can overgrow and call and form a polyp,
(22:56):
and so that's what I had.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
Pallops will have blood vessels run through them, and if
the blood vessel, you know, just gets exposed to the
upper part of the lining, then you'll pose essentially for
lack of water.
Speaker 2 (23:09):
Okay.
Speaker 3 (23:10):
Are Typically the next layer is the muscle, and fibroids
are growth of the muscle. Now, sometimes that muscle can
impinge on the lining, or can impinge on the topmost surface,
which is a cirosa, but ultimately it's a growth of
the muscle inside of the uterus and the layer is
a sorosa.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Okay, ye'ah. Again, I am talking to doctor Alexander. She
is a board certified oh BN, so that's why she
can tell us what all the layers are, what the
difference is between a fibroid and a pollup to see
(23:50):
women talk about it more. I believe you are a
definitely a trailblazer in that if you identify as male
on this podcast. Just sit with us, Just sit with
(24:11):
a couple more minutes. You know, you might be able
to share this with the loved one, or maybe you're
the caretaker of someone who you might oh, my gosh,
this is language.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
Oh let me let them know. It was not until
I got a black gynecologist.
Speaker 1 (24:31):
And a black natural path both female, that were like, yeah,
cycles aren't supposed to be painful or heavy.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
You know what's super frustrating about that is I didn't
know that until I was in residency. I went through
med school bleeding for usually nine days, and I was
soaking through my overnight paths once an hour for the
first three days. And I mean all women experiences like, oh,
(25:03):
that's just your period. You just you know, you just
have heavy periods, and oh, it's supposed to be painful,
not to the point where you're curling up in a
ball and crying or throwing up and passing out, which
is what I used to do when I have to
miss school or work consistently. That is not normal. And
I didn't know that until I was in residency, after
(25:24):
studying the woman's body in medicine. But they, you know,
even when I was studying obgi in in medical school,
like it's not something that's really harped upon, which is
very frustrating.
Speaker 1 (25:36):
Women probably think the ap periods are supposed to be
painful and heavy because someone they grew up with you
saw them taking the medicine, buying the big, gigantic pads
and having the moments where you, like you said, you're
somebody witnessing someone you know.
Speaker 2 (25:58):
Basically bleed out on on the sheet, and.
Speaker 1 (26:01):
So you just grew up thinking I grew up thinking like, well,
I guess this is what it's supposed to be, and
you have other issues.
Speaker 2 (26:09):
I'm quite sure you were anemic losing all of that blood.
Speaker 3 (26:15):
My levels were never over a level nine until I
I'm someone I truly do appreciate all different types of medicine,
So I hope this will be well received by your audience.
But I had to get a progesterone IUD to save
my life. That's why I will never judge another woman
if they want to use hormonal birth control or if
(26:37):
they want it an IUD. They whatever you want, I
got you because it's so difficult dealing with all of
at bleeding on top of everything else that we have
to go through. Yes, when I got that, iud in
my poll up eventually atrophied or shrunk and fell off
from my lining. Like my hemoglobin levels were never above
(26:58):
a level nine never.
Speaker 2 (26:59):
Wow wow, And so we do know that they are.
Speaker 1 (27:03):
So I remember not too long ago. So my ferry
Tine was five, My iron was like eighteen. I think
it was supposed to be eighty.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
And then fairy Tin was five. It was supposed to
be fifty, I think, But then they say they do
try to.
Speaker 1 (27:22):
I guess levels between black women and other races are different.
But that's a whole other conversation. You know, we getting
a little too deep. You sorry, you know, but I
do want to inform people. Yes, my podcast is definitely
the foundation is mental health, right, but these situations can
affect someone's mental health, your self esteem. You will isolate
(27:46):
because you feel like you can't go out in public
or enjoy moments with your close friends and family because
you're like, I have to be near the bathroom, you
know what I mean. So thank you so much much
for sharing that, because I was definitely my question was
going to be where did the passion come from? But
it is because you have experienced this.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Firsthand.
Speaker 3 (28:12):
Well, also, I was gonna say, you know, just growing
up with my parents grew up in the civil rights era,
so you know, growing up, my mom took me to
our coke closet, which was not big at all. And
you know, my mom always talks to me about, you know,
things that she experienced growing up, and she's like, just
so you know, this was the size of a waiting
room where black people had to wait. And I'm like, what,
(28:34):
there's only room for like one person to fit in here,
and she's like, I know, we would all just be
standing yeah together, and I'm like that's so inhumane. So,
you know, hearing stories like that really affected me. I
also was misdiagnosed with my PCOS. I once again thought
this heavy bleeding was normal. So before I had my
(28:56):
I'm sorry. After I had my poll up, you know,
I still was have heavy period. Once again, I just
thought this was normal. I was in clinic one day actually,
and my ultrascenographer was doing an ultrasound on me because
I thought my IUD had moved because I was in
so much pain, and she was like, hey, FYI you
have PCOS. Like your ovaries look crazy, and she showed
(29:19):
them to me, and they did. They looked absolutely insane,
and I was like, that's insane. How how many ultrasounds
I've had and how many obgi ns I've been to
And they were like, well, we don't know why you
have heavy periods. Until I got a black obg in
and she, you know, saw I had a poll up
and recommended the IUD, but she had moved to Atlanta,
so I didn't have her anymore. But you know, even nowadays,
(29:42):
when I'm when I'm in the hospital, I always make
it a point to look at the ovaries on the
ultrasound because if I'm being honest, I'm not trying to
throw shade on anyone. I'm really not trying to talk
bad about anybody. But the radiologists don't comment on the ovaries.
If they don't, I don't see a huge cyst they're
(30:03):
going to comment on. If it's pcos, they're just not
going to.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
And when you say the pcos, you're looking for, like,
how many follicles are.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
All that ovary?
Speaker 3 (30:13):
Yes, the follicles, the location, the size. Usually with pcos,
what happens is is you have too many androgens inside
of your body, and so it's normal for your ovary
to develop cysts. That's actually the sacks that the eggs
develop in or you ovulate. So it's normal to have,
you know, like a one centimeter two centimeter cyst, but
if you have several of those and they're all on
(30:34):
the outside of the ovary, that pretty much shows that
you too much androgens in your body and those cysts
can properly develop.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Listen, I haven't sitting here shaking my head. Almost give
me angry because it's like, I don't you know you
ever the conspiracy theorist that I think we all have
one in our family or one and other.
Speaker 3 (30:57):
That's me. That's me.
Speaker 2 (31:00):
Don't be saying stuff.
Speaker 1 (31:01):
But once I got my hands on a black female gynecologe,
actually there was I had, I've had a black male
gynic collogiest, but that medical system was they were just
put throat, putting us in and out like we were cattle.
Like there was not a lot of time to really
ask questions. But I don't know, I'm like, why are
(31:25):
we dealing with this? Why are so many black women
coming out with these stories?
Speaker 3 (31:29):
And I'm like, are y'all.
Speaker 2 (31:30):
Trying to keep us infertile? Like purpose not y'all no, no, no,
as in black.
Speaker 3 (31:39):
Let me see right now, I know I ain't okay.
I know I'm not a part of that, so that
ain't me. So I'll never be offended.
Speaker 1 (31:51):
All if if if people, if you're if you're in school,
and you know yet your cycle shouldn't be this heavy.
And I know you people don't want to get us
too dependent on paying meds and all of that stuff.
But if there are certain options and you're not telling us,
and you're saying this is normal when it's not supposed
(32:14):
to be normal, that's not okay.
Speaker 3 (32:17):
I agree ten thousand percent. I think there's so many
factors as to why that is. Number one, we don't
put a lot of money into women's research. I believe
it's only like one or two percent of the federal
funding that goes into NIH and women's studies, and unfortunately,
in this climate nowadays, it's probably going to be a
little bit less. So the reality is is, like I said,
(32:38):
I went through all of medical school. I went to
the Howard University, and we did not. Unfortunately, this is
something that all medical schools experience. I'm sure like we
don't get the best education in women's health we don't
get the best education and nutrition. And like I said,
I'm a little bit of theres but I truly do
believe that. I don't want to say that America wants
(33:01):
to keep us sick and capitalize off of treatment, but
I do kind of believe that theory a little bit
because I will never understand. I went to Atlanta this
past weekend on a girls trip my best friends from
med school, and we were just talking like it this
medical system does not make any sense. We don't learn
(33:22):
about nutrition that to me makes no sense, Like food
is medicine and yet you're not teaching us about that
in medicales.
Speaker 1 (33:32):
Yes, and how certain foods grow the fibroids, you know,
what can shrink them. I love coffee, but I had
no idea caffeine is kind of a trigger for the
growth of polyps and fibroids. And like dang, okay, you know,
(33:53):
and just like you said, just it's kind of the
foods that we don't really like to eat. But that's
I mean, I've enjoyed bell peppers. I eat them like
apples because I know the now, you know, learning the
benefits of y'all our diet is so important to even
(34:13):
some of the issues you may be facing internally. Even
gut health is linked to mental health. Inflammation overall, just
inflammation period is like a common thread of a lot
of chronic illnesses is inflammation.
Speaker 3 (34:29):
I guess correct. A lot of people don't realize that
fat formation, the actual formation of fatty tissue inside of
your body, is the process of inflammation.
Speaker 2 (34:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (34:45):
Yeah, your cardiovascular system that is a result of inflammation.
Speaker 2 (34:50):
So yeah, yeah, doctor Alexander, I'm excited to have you on.
You have also your social media.
Speaker 1 (35:00):
Your content has a bunch of laughter and comedy. I'm like,
is she a stand up comedian as well? What is
going on here?
Speaker 3 (35:10):
When you started?
Speaker 2 (35:11):
I should say, did you get pushed back from your
peers or anyone? Say, you know, you're a doctor, you
shouldn't be doing this.
Speaker 3 (35:18):
Absolutely, you know. I actually was thinking about this the
other day when I was telling people about how the
male DNA contributes to the formation of the placenta, the
mitochondria inside of the placental cells. I got so much
pushback for that, like you guys have no idea, Like
(35:42):
how many people were like not necessarily mad at me,
but saying like this is misinformation, and why did you
tell that now me. Like I said, we didn't get
the best education on women's health in med school. That's anybody.
That's not just where I went to. But I do
specific remember us learning that the male DNA contributes to
(36:04):
the formation of the mitochondria, the energy, the powerhouse of
the cell in the placenta, Like that is something I
specifically remember. And I'm like, okay, so wait a minute,
I feel like that. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
I was like, you know, say something, but you were
saying science. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (36:19):
I was like, no, I don't want to use these
trigger terms or hot terms. And I was like, I
feel like I'm being gas lit. And so I looked
into it and I'm like, guys, the studies are here,
like you, it literally takes a sperm and an egg
to make a baby. And you're saying, well, not anymore
that there's new assisted reproductive technologies, but in general, when
(36:40):
you have male DNA and female DNA combining to make
a baby, you really think that that man doesn't contribute
at all. Like I was just very infuriated by a
lot of these people, and I would have women telling
me in the comments and in my DNS saying yeah,
I said this to my obijan, and she said that's
(37:01):
not true.
Speaker 2 (37:01):
She did you hear what I said? She?
Speaker 3 (37:04):
I'm like, so, why did you entern into the spield
sis like you? I thought we wanted to help women,
and yet we're being just.
Speaker 2 (37:15):
I just don't. I wasn't.
Speaker 1 (37:18):
I think with your whole other conversation, Andrea, about even
how women take the burden of if they're not able
to conceive, we automatically.
Speaker 2 (37:28):
Say it's us, like, no baby, you too. Your sperm
con is probably low.
Speaker 3 (37:35):
Absolutely, we don't. We don't talk about that enough. About
how at least one in four miscarriages are due to
male DNA, we don't talk about that. And I could
not tell you guys, how often I see women crying
and blaming themselves, like is this something I did wrong?
Like what did I do wrong? Like I thought, well,
(37:56):
I did take ivyprofen this one time when I thought
I had my per but really it might have been
implantation spotty, And did I cause this? Like oh my god,
I hate my like you would you. When you are
in the four walls in private with these patients, bring
them speak is really moving, and it, at least for me,
it motivates me to validate first. That's huge in healthcare.
(38:21):
I'm like, I can't stand it when people just I'm like,
you don't understand how just validating somebody's feelings and emotions
like how long that can go? Like hearing them speak,
it just makes me want to validate first and to
continue to educate myself on women's health because ain't nobody
else gonna do it at this point.
Speaker 1 (38:41):
Unfortunately, listen, I didn't intend for the for the conversation
to even go in this direction, but I was like,
while I have you here, this is amazing, and this
is what you're passionate about. You also advocate for this,
but also honoring the other part of.
Speaker 4 (38:58):
You, who is human, who is woman, you know who
We've discussed how you live, still live.
Speaker 1 (39:10):
With depression, but yet you still show up for us,
and so we thank you. I thank you, especially for
someone who also depends on the medical system.
Speaker 2 (39:23):
Thank you for showing up. But also at the same
time praying that you're continuing to pour into yourself.
Speaker 3 (39:29):
Yeah, you know, I don't want to sound cheesy, but
doing content is pouring into myself. I don't want to
sound like, like I said, cheesy, but this stuff really
does make me happy. It makes me happy to see
comments and dms from women like you really did help
(39:50):
me like this. I was diagnosed with this because I
decided to go in because of this, and I didn't
know that this was normal, so I decided. It really
doesn't make me happy. And my father was huge on
black advocacy. I honestly think he might've been a black panther.
You know, he's like very serious about helping black people,
(40:12):
advocating for black people. And I lost him when I
was five to colon cancer.
Speaker 2 (40:16):
I'm so sorry.
Speaker 3 (40:18):
Well that's okay. I mean, like I said, God will
give you things back tenfold, and just thinking about how
my content is really a continuation of his legacy. I'm helping, yes,
all women, Like yes, I want to help all women
because we all share a lot of commonalities and being
(40:38):
dismissed and you know, just the things that we have
to go through living in a patriarchal society. I get that,
but specifically black women, yes, women who look like me
is and who look like my mother, Like, that's that
is what brings me joy. I don't care if I'm
tired or post call like I know, like, okay, just
(40:58):
make the video because you know, the outcome of the
video is going to make you happy, even if it's
like on my last video it got like no traction,
no likes, But still I know I helped someone, and
like that's what's most important to me, Like still educating
and getting the world talking to women who look like me,
Like that's the most important thing for me.
Speaker 2 (41:21):
You are absolutely awesome. I know you love my good friend.
Doctor Amira is my girl. What I tell you, everybody's girl.
Speaker 1 (41:31):
I'm been like that's my best friend, and then it'd
be like that's my best friend. So doctor Amyra is
basically everybody's best.
Speaker 3 (41:39):
And best friend. But when I talk to people about
or what I mentioned earlier about beating your mind, she's
one of those girls. Yes, she is a wonderful wife,
a beautiful mother, fashion for listen, outfits, face body on tea,
and she is such a positive human being, Like she
(41:59):
her mind, you know what I'm saying, Like I don't
think everybody is blessed with that, like worthy you have
empathy towards people and still want to like give back
to people, Like she's one of those people. So we
may not talk all the time, Like I'm still that
is somebody who I'm like, I want to be that.
Speaker 1 (42:19):
Oh, I know she says the same thing about you,
and again going back to yes, y'all, she's a doctor.
And I hope people at the family gatherings don't be
wearing you out by asking you a whole bunch of
medicinal questions because there are three doctors in my family,
two family practice and one emergency medicine physician. And I
(42:44):
try to not talk medicine, but especially the one of
the er. I'd be like, bro, he'd be having before.
You know, he's volunteering stories as much as he can.
You can't divulge too much, but this, like I even
went to say. I even went to the er and
he was my attending position because I thought I broke
(43:05):
my toe and.
Speaker 2 (43:06):
He was absolutely, oh girl. But yeah, I just want
to thank you for your time today and just you're
just beautiful. We've had a good time. I hope you
know that you are a friend of checking in.
Speaker 3 (43:23):
This is home for you and to you.
Speaker 2 (43:26):
Any time you want to come and just chat. The
door is open.
Speaker 3 (43:31):
You can call me anytime. I I love what you're doing.
I have said this even when I was diagnosed. Sorry,
I told you, come on, let's go.
Speaker 2 (43:42):
I'm trying to respect you and that hold you, but
we can talk.
Speaker 3 (43:47):
I love talking about this stuff, Like I could literally
I told you, if we didn't have a time loot,
I would literally be on here for five hours, like I.
Speaker 2 (43:55):
Just got to come to Houston, and you just gotta
come to New York and we'll have all.
Speaker 3 (43:59):
Right, that's right. But I was gonna say that even
when I, you know, was diagnosed with depression and OCD
and anxiety, it really sparked a new thought process in
my mind of well, how come we can treat the
heart and those patients can take medication and they're not
(44:20):
considered at all you just crazy or like you know,
or if somebody has kidney disease or you know, if
somebody needs surgery, they can you know, do that without
any type of stigma where it's like if it's your mind,
the brain is also an organ, you know, so if
it's not functioning in those neurotransmitter pathways, then why are
we judged for getting the help that we need, Like
(44:43):
if we go to therapy, if we just need medication
for a little bit just to get us over a hump,
if we need to talk to somebody if we need
to check ourselves in where somebody else can just watch
us just for a little bit. Why are we judged
for things like that but other people aren't when other
organs in the body are are malfunctioning. I just I
(45:03):
don't think it's fair.
Speaker 1 (45:05):
Listen, one conversation at a time, conversations are definitely changing.
Speaker 2 (45:15):
With people like us talking about it. The fact that
what we think crazy is.
Speaker 1 (45:25):
You know the fact that you can, you are high functioning,
still showing up in society and still working with you know,
the diagnosis of depression and those moments where it can
overtake you. You know, you still show up even though
it is crazy hard. Sometimes depression can feel like a
weighted blanket.
Speaker 2 (45:46):
Is on you, right, But the moments.
Speaker 1 (45:50):
Where you allow yourself to be like, all right, I'm
gonna just say I'm gonna eat this tub of ice cream.
Speaker 2 (45:55):
My feelings it literally it literally passes. You know, it sucks,
it is not fun at all.
Speaker 1 (46:08):
But again, the work that we do, one conversation at
a time is changing how people feel about mental health
and mental illness. I say it all the time, I
know you say it to everybody, does not have mental illness,
but we all have mental health, brain health. If you
(46:29):
have a heart health, you got brain health too. And
so we're just doing everything that we can to let
people know, Hey, Yo, it's okay when you're not when
you feel like you're not feeling.
Speaker 2 (46:37):
Yourself, but it's not okay to be to suffer in silence.
And I get the help you need. Absolutely, yeah, Sis,
thank you for checking in.
Speaker 3 (46:46):
Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2 (46:48):
Let's do this again. I enjoy our comment anytime. Let's
do this again, honey, thank you so much. We'll see
you again.
Speaker 1 (48:14):
Checking In with Michelle Williams is a production of iHeartRadio
and The Black Effect. For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit
the iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you listen to
your favorite shows.
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