Real Housewives of Lagos star Toyin Lawani-Adebayo (41) best known at Tiannah Empire previously opened up about health challenges and losing her unborn baby and most recently her spinal condition. The Lagos-based businesswoman and fashion designer detailed events that led to her losing her baby and thanked everyone who had supported her through the tough time.
SPEAKING UP
She said, "Losing an unborn child can be the most difficult trauma to deal with because you would have bonded and started making plans for the future." She also spoke openly about her battle with fibroids and detailed the complications of her last pregnancy. "I have always said I wanted to have just two kids. Then my doctor advised me to take out my womb due to the complications I was having." In the new season, she breaks down some of the health issues that affect her spine and has to undergo surgery and a recovery that will take about three months. This means, she will be inactive and will not be able to pursue her fashion passion. She initially wanted to keep her health issues a secret and just show the good side of her brand. "My family asked me why I decided to go public with my condition even after keeping it private for years and this is what I had to say, 'I hate showing Weakness but sharing your pain lifts a Burden off your chest (I can see that now ).' Crying alone fills in more sorrows and having amazing people around you who make you laugh reduces your suffering," she says.
BEING HANDS-ON
She explains that people don't know what it feels like to struggle all your life with one health issue or the other, showing up daily ad to lead a huge team plus showing up your family. "I don't really like delegating. I love being involved in my creativity, so it makes it more difficult," she says. "Most of my jobs, you will see them and say 'Tiannah did this job', but you will never see me because I'm hiding away behind the scenes because I will be wearing my back brace, leg brace, neck brace, so my bones won't fail me on set and I don't want people to see me like that, it's a pain you don't want to experience," she adds.
STAYING STRONG
She says If anyone has watched her social media updates, they will realize the leg pain. "I didn't know it was connected to my spine or brain. I will just wake up to a swollen knee and won't be able to walk. They will have to inject the leg with steroids," she says. "At times, I will wake up half of my body will be paralyzed. I won't be able to lift my right leg and hand because it's connected to my neck." At times, she says our bodies try to tell us a lot but we ignore the signs, we will be busy treating something else but another thing is happening. "I am glad that I finally got Referred to a Neurosurgeon from the USA after I got my main diagnosis," Tiannah says she has been receiving messages from people going through the same thing. "Since last night I got so many messages from ladies who are going through this similar disease and who have lost their self-confidence and mobility. It also causes depression and anxiety. But I'm a fighter and I will never stop because I know I inspire so many people out there with how I run my various businesses day in and day out," she adds.
