I wish…

… that going through the menopause is the most serious problem I face in my old age.
 
Helen Farrelly (who uses hormone replacement therapy) Ireland.

When I was 48 years of age, I felt some very intense changes in my body. I especially remember the hot flushes – my husband and I knew that something was wrong when at night I slept on top of the covers while he was under them.

I went to my doctor twice before he advised me to take hormone replacement therapy. I knew very well what the menopause was and mentally I was prepared, but I did not know what to do about it. It was very important for me to get the right kind of treatment, and I have been taking the same product for two years now.

It took about six months before I felt better. In the beginning I thought that when I took these pills I would feel like I was able to jump over the moon, but I didn’t. Slowly I became better, and today I feel good. I feel comfortable and have settled with the thought that this is what you need to go through as a woman.

I go to check ups at my doctor two or three times a year. The plan was to take HRT for short term. Two years are up soon and I have decided not to stop. Now I am more worried about the fact that my doctor told me my blood sugar level is high – which could indicate that I may develop diabetes when I’m older. I could end up having to be treated with insulin. Diabetes runs in the family – both my mother and father have Type 2 diabetes and I know what they are going through. Right now I can adjust my blood sugar level with healthy eating habits and exercise. But it is hard because I like food very much. I am not worried so much about diabetes itself but about all the complications that come with it.

So if going through the menopause is the only problem I face in my old age, then I am very happy.

My grandmother’s aunt was 102 years old when she died. I would like to live to an old age too, 115 at least! I loved turning 40, I felt good about myself, but I must admit, I didn’t like turning 50 at all. My three daughters have now all left home, the youngest one very recently. I miss them dreadfully. We have had kids in the house for almost 30 years. Now I have to learn how to live my life again. But my daughters are doing well, and I wish them all the best. I would love some grandchildren. That is the next big event in my life.

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