As soon as I turned the corner onto Fifty, I was Covid-wardrobe-compliant. Fifty seems like a lot of responsibility with all the things that come with it, including menopause for those who can catch it early. But I was medically prepared for Covid. I was trying hard to protect myself from whatever was coming. I was ready. Basically, as I approached menopause I became armed and dangerous.
I had read a lot about menopause symptoms. Scary things like hot flashes, dryness, anxiety, joint pain, sweating and other related problems. I bought several books on how to manage menopause. I kept guarding my body for any symptoms. I prayed and gritted my teeth. By Jove, I was ready. In addition to reading copious amounts of information about it and asking relevant questions to many doctors, I had friends and colleagues who had gone through it and were still struggling with it. Normally cheerful women who suddenly became irritable; Lovely ladies who will sweat in a fully air-conditioned room; The women whose bones did not rise with them; And women with sudden irritability. I have also met women who entered menopause earlier and young women who entered menopause in their twenties or thirties. Scary but true! So my heart was literally already in my mouth. What should I do? How will I survive? Many of my doctor friends were on call duty at 'The Eugenia Menopause Project'. It was pretty crazy.
Late night call. Should I suddenly start sweating, I call Dr. Linda or Dr. Akeem. My gynecologist doctor was on permanent speed dial. Menopause begins between 45 and 55 years. The only symptom I had was my period missing.
Then 50 came and there was silence. No sweat! No worries! I took off my Covid-style suit. What's going on? The silence in the decade till 60 was deafening. But I kept second-guessing myself. Where is my menopause? It seemed strange. My friends were suffering, and my family members were struggling. What happened? I began to wonder if I had a disease because menopause, like menstruation, is a rite of passage. Nothing like seriously?
Then slowly years passed. Your guess is as good as mine. Last Sunday I turned 63. And now I know that somehow, God has forgiven me with menopause, and I should be grateful.
As I turn a year older, I am grateful for many things, big and small. And through it all, I pray for my peers who have had to deal with the challenges of menopause that things will get easier and less stressful. I see you. I pray for you.
Science may bring relief to women who have to deal with extreme symptoms. Amen.
And for those who are having a mild menopause, I love you. Let's move forward and live our lives despite all the challenges of aging.
Believe me, we are more beautiful even at the age of 60. Peace and love!
My Covid shield is permanently on rest, and I am living my grand life. Don't let anything stop you from living your gorgeous life. learn a new language. Take dance classes. Babysitting a young person for four hours every Saturday for a month in exchange for a massage and lunch at a new restaurant. Do it for the culture. Don't charge. Mentor two people for three months. Watch them grow. Go to cooking school. travel. It could just be Gombe or Ghana. love life. Stay up till sunrise. Watch the sunset.
This is the time, whether menopause or not, when you go, girl. it's your life. Live it to the fullest. Continue. Write a book. The children have flown the nest. You have done a lot for other people over the years. It's time for you. Enjoy it.
