My Menopause Blog

I have to do some public speaking this evening at the launch of the Breast of Canada calendar which I publish.

Public speaking rates at the top of this list: Things That Rack My Nerves.

And yet I continue to put myself in situations that involve being on the stage.

I’ve noticed that besides my missing period, I seem to have lost or perhaps misplaced my stash of nouns. Normally, I just bash around the bush, searching for the word that escapes me until I find it, describe the item well enough for someone to guess what I’m talking about or simply change the subject. This works well enough in conversation. But in the arena of public speaking, depending on the audience, a missing noun can be death.

Take this for example: “Thanks for joining me this evening as we launch the paper thing I publish that is used to keep track of time and your dentist appointments.”

See what I mean? Very nerve racking.

Sue Richards

Tags: My Menopause Blog, Sue Richards

Erin posted a sobering comment about the life expectancy of women living in a number of third world countries. Many will never make it to their menopause due to the harsh conditions of life in their countries.

I have 3 obituaries posted on my fridge. Girlfriends. One 38, one 42, one 44. All died suddenly, from various diseases.

My own mother died at 51.

Apparently, while pregnant with me, at the ripe age of 45, she misunderstood the weight gain and exhaustion for menopause.

In her seventh month, my mom and dad decided it was time to see their doctor. Imagine if you will, two middle aged parents with a 25 year old daughter and a 10 year old son being told the following.

“Edna, George. You are going to have a baby in 6 weeks.”

Sue Richards

Tags: My Menopause Blog, Sue Richards, menopause symptoms, menopausal baby, peri-menopause, death.

I’ve just learned something.

I thought I was going to instantly turn into a pear shape…Artistically known as a Rubenesque Woman, shown here in this painting and thus named after the 1577-1640 Flemish painter, Peter Paul Ruben.

But no…not so quick. The pear stage comes later, much later.

First, my breasts are going to get very, very tender and then there’s a good chance they will get bigger. So Dolly first. Pear second.

All this without medical intervention. Tell this to the implant makers.

Sue Richards

Tags: My Menopause Blog, Sue Richards, menopause symptoms, breasts, peri-menopause, Rubenesque.

Currently, over 40 million women, more than 1/3 of the women in the United States, are experiencing menopausal symptoms.

I couldn’t find any current Canadian stats but I’m sure it’s safe to say that 1/3 of us are following suit. Bloodiless hell, 1/3 of the women of the world are in the Meno Club.

As much as it may feel like you are ‘the only one feeling like this’, it simply isn’t so. And, yah know, there’s strength in numbers.

Sue Richards

Tags: My Menopause Blog, Sue Richards, menopause symptoms, peri-menopause, Club Meno.

June had on a sleeveless, low cut summer top.

Counting my fleece scarf, leather jacket, sweater, undershirt and mitts, my top half was clad in five layers.

Smiling, we looked each other up and down while standing in the garden at our friends 50th Birthday Party.

“I’m cold”, I claimed.

“I’m menopausal”, said June.

Where are those night sweats when you need them?

Sue Richards

Tags: My Menopause Blog, Sue Richards, menopause symptoms, menopausal, peri-menopause, night sweats.

Judy at the post office was shocked when I told her that menopause messes with your memory. This after measuring the same sized parcel three times in three minutes.

Sarah claims she can feign ignorance of knowledge she had at one time. “It’s gone”, she tells me laughing.

My menopausal memory is fleeting. Like the wing of a bird. Sometimes a seagull. Often a hummingbird.

When I measure my memory against time, I can come in under a minute. If I gauge it against distance, going from one room to the next, upstairs, into my backyard…too close for a list, far enough for me to stare blankly, wondering what the hell I was on route to, for.

Seize the day? Bloody hell, seize the moment.

Sue Richards

Tags: My Menopause Blog, Sue Richards, menopause symptoms, menopausal, peri-menopause, memory.

It was dark. The wee hours in fact. A time when I’m usually sawing logs. But for some reason, I woke up.

Did the front door just shut? Was someone, something leaving? The cat perhaps. Wait, I don’t have a cat.

I turned on the light, blinking at its rudeness. Then this thought crossed my sleepy mind.

Bet My Period’s gone again.

I won’t know for sure until loose lipped October rolls around.

Sue Richards

Tags: My Menopause Blog, Sue Richards, menopause symptoms, menopausal, peri-menopause, period.

Yes it is true.

The menopausal woman’s body will slowly but surely turn into a form of fruit salad.

Body the shape of a Bartlett pear, face wrinkled like an apple doll, dried prunes for breasts.

Canada’s Food Guide suggests eating 4 - 5 servings of fruit a day.

I wonder if you get credit for being fruit.

Sue Richards

Tags: My Menopause Blog, Sue Richards, menopause symptoms, menopausal body, peri-menopause, shape shifting.