The "Men" in Menopause...

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Posted by Patti

 

In the last few days, I have done alot of reflecting. I hear you do that when you get to be "this age". I have also done alot of head shaking. I am doing that because going through this cycle thing, I don't even know what you call it- when you don't have a period per se, but all the dwarfs are here- yeah, those menopausal meanies are still here.
So, back to the head shaking- men really just don't "get it". So, I was thinking...how ironic that this is called "menopause". It certainly gives us women a reason to pause...and think...about men?
I quietly thought "I will not kill him, I will not kill him, I will not kill him" and just blinked when he said "you seem bitchy today, maybe you shouldn't have another cup of coffe".
WHAT did that man just say?
He did NOT just say anything about me not having my joy juice did he? Really? Because that would be traveling on dangerous territory. After all, I had just had a half of cup, and he knows, I have two cups a day.
He did NOT make a comment about my mood, did he? Naaaa, I couldn't have heard that right? This is the same person that had a hissy fit and didn't want to talk because it started raining when he wanted to go fishing. Naaa, he didn't just say something about MY mood! did he?
Just keep rocking in this recliner, shaking my head and just and drink my coffee, think...happy, happy thoughts.
Funny thing about all this is, I never used to think like this.
There was and will be a time, when I would just a) either ignore the statement or b) laugh it off or- even better- there would be no statement, because I wasn't bitchy.
When I am like this, for a little while, it's ummm, kind of cool- because I just don't care what anyone thinks. As long as I home, it's ok. And for just a few days, I picture the cartoon Maxine lady, the Golden Girls, and all the other older ladies that have spunk- because that will be me!
I am just entering another phase is all. This is a transition.

I often wonder if while that moth is in the cocoon, is there any turmoil going on in there? Is it just a smooth transition and it comes out an swesome, beautifully designed butterfly? I am sure that there was some squirming and some points the butterfly was very uncomfortable, wondering WHAT am I going through this for? it may even be struggling at one point just wants to give up- but look at what it would have missed if it did! Moreso, look at what everyone around it, would have missed- all of it's beauty, if it did!

Menopause, or any transition in life is not easy- but we all need to hang in there, and support each other any way we can! If you see someone struggling, help them out- you will be blessed in more ways than you could even imagine! If you are with somene that doesn't understand your transition, as with men and menopause, then find someone that does. That is why I write about this! Humor makes things livable- we have all either been there, going there, or will be there.

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The Humor of Menopause-The Beginning

Monday, May 31, 2010

Posted by Patti

This is the beginning....to all the entries The Humor Of Menopause
This is the beginning too- to laughing our asses off about it as well as every other emotion that decides to pop up!

As most of you know, I had a hysterectomy (kept the ovaries though) in October of last year. What had led up to that, was a year of alot of pain, bleeding and what I had called "hot flashes"...I now see that was the beginning. But prior to that, I was dealing with fibroids that just wouldn't go away. By the time I had the hyst, I was told it was likde I was carrying a 4-5 month old fetus!
Why I am writing this is if ANY of you have any unsual pain, unbearable cramps, excessive bleeding...don't be brave and "suck it up" like I did. I very well may have done some damage to my organs from all the weight pulling on them. I always thought, and had learned "it was that time of the month, you deal with it, you be quite and that's that". My doctor urged me to tell all the women I know, young and old alike, if you have painful periods, see a doctor. At the very least, he/she will tell you things are fine. Most of all, let the young ladies in your lives, your daughters, nieces, etc...know this.
I recommend Dr. Christiane Northrup's Books. I have read The Wisdom of Menopause and it's so much than "just another menopause book". If you learn to embrace menopause, mind, body and spirit- but most of all understand it, then it's not so scary. She also has other books, which are amazing! In this book too, you will learn about vitamins, supplements, and so much more.
I bring this book up because for the past week, it's been like a bible to me....The Bible of Menopause
This past two weeks, I have gotten the full cycle back since the hysterectomy- full swing, no sugar added, no breaks. But I do have to say, I have seen the other side...and it was nice. For the past six months, the "peri"menopause symptoms were nominal, now that I have seen the full force.
To think that I called those hot flashes before? Pfffft, what I had before pales in comparison to what I have felt in this past 10 days. I have had all 7 of those menopausal dwarfs (see one of my funnies of the day- they are there in all their glory!) seeming ALL at the same time dancing around. Heck, I could even name some more that appeared...and stayed for a bit!
The flashes leave me feeling like a deflated balloon, with a HOT face and chest. I just find my recliner and rock away the panic attack that then sets in...for about 20 minutes. Think of...kites flying, puppies, swimming in cool water, anything, just.off.of.the.panic.
I have cried at birds feeding at the feeder, especially cried at this oil gusher,  then laughed at a really DUMB commercial, then get irritated from noises, especially the TV- I think the term for that is yeah, *bitchy*?
Yep, all of those dwarfs...Oh, I need to add Clumsy, Goofy, and "IForgot" and "Where'sMy".
Yesterday, the love of my life proclaimed it was a "me" day. I think he was scared... haha. More on that later.
Meantime, ladies, please let it out about menopause- we gotta keep the humor in this. It keeps us sane! I need to hear from you and hear how you deal!

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The 7 Menopausal Dwarfs

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Posted by Patti

The Seven Dwarfs of Menopause arrived at my door without warning: Itchy, Bitchy, Sweaty, Sleepy, Bloated, Forgetful and All-Dried-Up. One by one they crept into my own private cottage in the woods and started to take over my life.

The first to arrive was Itchy. I developed this itch on my right calf that was so irritating, I wanted to scratch the skin right off my body.

Then Bitchy came to my door. No longer was my PMS contained to one or two days a month--it felt like constant PMS.

Then I would swing from Bitchy to Weepy ... for God's sake, what was wrong with me?

Ding-dong ... It's the middle of the night and Sweaty has crawled into bed with me. Oh, yes, Sweaty brought embarrassing hot flashes and introduced me to night sweats where it seemed as if a faucet had been attached between my breasts.

Of course Sweaty brought about Sleepy because I was tired all the time. I would wake up so many times in the night and not be able to get back to sleep.

Bloated crept in slowly, my once-svelte figure got thick through the middle section, even though I was following my weight-loss program that had worked so well for so many years!

I can't quite remember when Forgetful arrived, but one day my brain stopped working. I considered myself a pretty focused woman until Forgetful came and I could not keep a coherent thought in my brain. "Am I getting Alzheimer's?" I wondered.

Last, All-Dried-Up slowly encroached upon my happy marriage. This was probably the most unpleasant of the dwarf family. Sex was no longer on the top of my list ... or on my list at all. My husband would give me that knowing look, and I would think, "Frankly, I'd rather have a smoothie."

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