Donna Terrell
What To Expect In Your Fifties
The month of June “Golden Diva” interview is with the lovely Donna Terrell. She hails from the far south side of Chicago. Donna is a writer, works out regularly, and is active with the Media Ministry at her church, New Faith Baptist Intl. Her favorite form of relaxation is watching TV. She loves NFL football and she is a voracious reader. Donna was saved at an early age, and her life verse is Luke 1:37, For, with God, nothing shall be impossible. This ageless beauty is 56 years old (soon to be 57 in October) and she lives in the south suburbs with her husband and 14-year old cat. Donna speaks life into the aging process, maybe that’s why she looks so young. This “Golden Diva” is definitely a force to be reckoned with because she truly does not believe in labeling herself or others. Now that’s some strong power. POWER of the TONGUE baby!
“You Are What You Say You Are!”
In conversation with Donna Terrell
C50: What was the biggest challenge you faced when you turned 50?
DT: I didn’t feel any challenges at that age; I had more of a problem with 35 than 50!
C50: Did you lose your sense of purpose when your milestone birthday came?
DT: I’m feeling more of a “quest for purpose” now at 56. Now, I’m truly at a point where I don’t know “what’s next.” Leading up to college graduation, I knew what I wanted, and went after that. Then I had other dreams and goals in my 30s and I went after those. Now I’m like “now what?” One friend said I’m in a mid-life crisis. I don’t like it. I know what I want to do, but I don’t know how to get there. I’m waiting on the Lord to give me a definitive direction.
C50: Was menopause a major factor for you?
It was, and the strange thing is it hit me early. I was done at 47. I didn’t know what going on. Nobody close to me was going through it yet. It was also mental—I felt weird that I was skipping periods and stuff. I kinda missed having one because when you think about it, this is something you’ve had since you were 12 and 13, now it’s gone? And I’m the only one? I was glad when I found a couple of other older friends who were dealing with some of the irritations of menopause.
C50: Have you experienced the dreaded “HOT FLASHES and NIGHT SWEATS?”
DT: Yeah, it was horrible! After that last period, that’s when all that hit me head-on. I would stick my head in the freezer for relief. Luckily, I wasn’t working at the time, so I was able to wear tank tops everywhere, and I went no place without my trusty bag of ice! I would wake up drenched, having to change tops. My doctor eventually gave me some hormone replacement meds. They worked great! I wanted a 25-year supply of refills! But you’re not supposed to be on them for more than a couple of years. That’s just to get over the hump. The good news is all that goes away! I’m good now!
C50: Did you have any health challenges?
DT: The INSOMNIA! It was awful! That went on for some years. I still don’t sleep through the night. I’m always waking up. But it has gotten better.
C50: Why is it so important to have “NEW SCREENING TESTS” done in your fifties?
DT: It’s important to have health screenings at any age. I don’t know about any new ones. I don’t like it when people with insurance won’t go to the doctor and get their necessary tests. Just go. I have a train buddy who went in for her routine mammogram and they found something. Please follow up with the tests, ladies. This is the year for my second colonoscopy. Hate the prep. But after my first one, my husband and I got a pizza! I’m thinking about my post-colonoscopy meal now!
C50: Did you believe your sex life would become uncomfortable in your fifties?
DT: For me, I had no sex drive. None. And yeah, it’s not the same as in the 20s, definitely. Plus, what turned me on earlier in life is not what turns me on now. In my 20s, 30s, even very early 40s, it was physical. Now it’s taking care of business, decent conversation.
C50: Do you feel that you should have an exercise routine now more than ever?
I’ve always had a workout routine, but women should strive to be strong. You don’t want to be a feeble and frail old woman. Develop a good weight routine. It’s never too late to start working out.
C50: Do you feel your age or are you defying it?
DT: I don’t know what my age is supposed to “feel” like. Even that phrase is a negative mentality. You’re as old as you think you are. I, for one, am not old. I have a friend who’s 2 years younger than me, and he calls himself a senior citizen. I told him I’m not a senior citizen until the state of Illinois gives me a senior property tax break, and that ain’t happening no time soon. Another friend, a man, went out of town and felt he was too old to ride a really cool go-cart track. Please!
C50: What’s the one thing you can tell our readers about when you turned 50 to encourage them?
DT: As I said, I didn’t have issues with 50. But I will encourage people to not let anyone stick that “OLD” label on them! You are what you say you are. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Don’t claim disease as “yours” (my diabetes…). Don’t claim old. 50 ain’t old! If you’re old now, what if you live to be 75? Strive to learn whatever there is to learn. Don’t be the 50-year old who needs a 15-year old to set your DVR. Speak life into yourself!
C50: And there you have it our Club Fifty Golden Diva Interview with “The Unconquerable Golden Diva Donna Terrell. Thank you for sharing how you mastered “What To Expect In Your Fifties” with Club 50.