Navigating Menopause

Last Monday, I sat and watched the special "The Menopause Revolution" hosted by Oprah. Maybe some of you also watched - and maybe you had a similar experience of gratitude and relief. Gratitude because finally I was not only receiving information on this phase of my life I am struggling to navigate but most importantly, validation that what I was experiencing, what I have been told, what I am coming to understand - I am not alone. Relief - that I am not loosing my mind and most importantly there is hope.

Dr. Mary Claire Haver, shared her book "The New Menopause" with audience and yup happy to report I have my copy. So over the next few weeks, I hope to share with you my journey to better understanding, maybe a few answers, but definitely if anything information and facts on Perimenopause/Menopause. So I hope you will join me on this journey, to understanding and embracing this part of being a woman.

My story - I started going through perimenopause in my early 30s - it started with ridiculous night sweats. I remember waking up in the night, me and the sheets soaked. When I told my doctor, I got the commonly told dismissive comments. Basically "I could be going through perimenopause, but doubtful because I was still young". Research shows that women of color, can experience perimenopause symptoms as early as their 30s. So was it so crazy that I was having nights of drenching; that the only relief was to wear a white undershirt for my PJs. Now as I look back, now that I have more understanding, the medical challenges that followed over the years, the pain, the numerous reproductive ailments/conditions, the unexplained loss of strength in various limbs, the countless hospitalizations and surgeries, that finally lead to a full hysterectomy and the immediate onset of MENOPAUSE. Now I'm not saying that everything was due to being in perimenopause, but things sure does make a lot more sense when its factored in. For the past 20 years, I have felt like I'm in battle with my body - it fighting against itself. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis discovering that 75% of my pancreas was damaged, type 3 diabetes, high blood pressure and for fun added the diagnosis of diverticulitis. Thankfully my sense of humor hasn't been too affected, cause Lord knows there are days that I want to cry more than laugh.

So I hope you will join me on this journey, maybe even share your thoughts, understanding, frustrations, experiences and even knowledge on this transition of life. I'm so thankful for my family and my girls/sisterhood, who have and continue to walk this path with me. Supporting, listening, sharing, crying and sometimes just allowing me to have space. I hope that maybe as I share my journey of navigating menopause and chronic illnesses, that if anything, you will know that you are not alone in this and maybe find a way to celebrate this part of being a woman too.