“My Voice Was Heard”: How Touro Doctors Helped One Woman Overcome a Life-Altering Fibroid

For nearly a year, Katric Jones felt like she was at war with her body. Frequent urinary tract infections, constant lower back pain, and intense irritability had become a way of life without any answers or relief in sight. With every doctor’s appointment, her frustration and discomfort increased.  

“I felt like I was getting the runaround. Some of the doctors I saw were convinced my issues stemmed from diabetes; I’ve never been diabetic,” said Katric.  

She felt as though no one was listening to her and was beginning to feel hopeless.  

Why Fibroids are a Hidden Source of Discomfort  

But everything changed when Katric saw Arelis Bruno, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist in  Women’s Health Services at Touro in New Orleans. For the first time throughout her journey, Katric felt heard.  

“Dr. Bruno intently listened. She didn’t dismiss me,” said Katric. “She was vested in my health every step of the way and ensured I knew that from the beginning.”  

After running a series of tests to rule out various possibilities, Dr. Bruno discovered that Katric had a fibroid – one that had attached to her bladder, and the cause for all her pain.  

A fibroid is a noncancerous growth that develops in or around the uterus. Still, in some cases, like Katric’s, a fibroid can grow so that it presses against surrounding organs, including the bladder. When a fibroid is attached to or compresses the bladder, it can cause a range of uncomfortable symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, urinary tract infections (UTIs), pelvic pressure, and lower back pain. The larger the fibroid, the greater the pressure, and the more intense the symptoms. 

“When a fibroid presses against the bladder, it can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life,” said Dr. Bruno. “In Katric’s case, the fibroid had grown so large and was positioned in a way that it caused chronic bladder irritation and back pain. Katric’s situation was a reminder of how important it is to take a patient’s symptoms seriously and dig deeper when things don’t add up.”  

After determining the root cause of Katric’s pain, Dr. Bruno referred Katric to Pui C. Cheng, MD, a gynecologic oncologist in Cancer Care at Touro, for further evaluation and treatment options.  

Robotic Assisted Surgery Provides Precision and Control  

Upon evaluating Katric, Dr. Cheng decided that using a robotic surgical arm to remove Katric’s fibroid would be the best course of action. In doing so, she noticed that Katric’s fibroid was about the size of a baby when a woman is five months pregnant.  

“The robotic surgical equipment allows well-trained, experienced surgeons to perform complex surgery. It adds another level of sophistication and precision to our modern-day surgical armamentarium,” said Dr. Cheng. “In Katric’s case, her uterus was replaced by numerous large fibroids that had completely distorted her normal pelvic anatomy, making surgical removal extremely technically challenging. A successful outcome depends on the surgeon flawlessly performing several complex steps. The da Vinci robot offers advantages for some of the most delicate steps, allowing the surgeon to visualize targeted structures deeply and in three dimensions, while precisely controlling multiple instruments at the same time.” 

Dr. Cheng explained that while large incisions can be used to complete complex surgeries, robotic-assisted surgery offers a distinct advantage: these procedures can often be performed through much smaller incisions, resulting in less trauma to internal organs and tissue, reduced postoperative pain, and a quicker overall recovery for the patient.  

In February 2025, Katric underwent a successful, complex robotic hysterectomy to remove numerous fibroids that had caused chronic pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and urinary issues. She experienced minimal blood loss during surgery, recovered smoothly overnight in the hospital, and returned home the next morning. 

Katric emphasizes that she never felt pressured into having a hysterectomy—the care team gave her options, the time to consider them, and a voice in every step of her treatment. 

“I appreciated that I had a choice,” Katric said. “It wasn’t forced on me. They made sure I understood everything before moving forward.”  

Embracing Her Newfound Mobility After Fibroid Removal  

The surgery was a success, and by the second day after the operation, Katric could already tell a huge difference.  

“It was like I had my life back,” she said.  

Today, Katric is reclaiming her mobility. She’s back on the treadmill, riding her exercise bike, planning a trip to Disney’s new park, and dreaming of visiting every museum she can find. More importantly, she’s free from the daily pain that once clouded every step she took.  

But beyond her physical healing, Katric’s journey transformed into something deeper, advocating for her healthcare.  

“I knew something was wrong, and just kept pressing for answers,” said Katric.  

Katric’s most important piece of advice for anyone experiencing something similar is to continue advocating for themselves; if they’re not being heard, they should keep asking questions and not give up.  

She quickly credits her Touro team– especially Dr. Bruno and Dr. Cheng – for their skill, compassion, and unwavering commitment to her well-being.  

“These women were great! They knew how to relate to me and my situation. And not once did they ever give up. Their effort should not go unrecognized,” Katric said.  

Katric hopes that sharing her story inspires other women to speak up, ask questions, and never settle for less than they deserve in their healthcare.  

 “We need to know there are doctors who truly care, and I found them,”’ she said.  

For more information about Women’s Health Services at Touro, visit Women's Health Services | Touro