W.O.W. Women of Wisdom

ADVICE TO OTHER WOMEN

GOING THROUGH MENOPAUSE

Hello Golden Divas!

To kick off the holiday season I was compelled to introduce you to (2) beautiful sassy seniors, that are jazzy and classy, Lethia Brown and Victoria Jones-Mullins. I had the pleasure of meeting them at the greatest church in the world, my church, New Faith Baptist Church International in Matteson IL. (Shameless plug) I know.

Anyway, these two ladies are in a ministry called “First Impressions” they are greeters at my church and they are the first 2 faces that I see every Sunday when I attend service. These, sisters-in-Christ is beautiful inside and the outside and they represent “Golden Divas” literally with their gold tresses, and impeccable fashion sense, plus they are a delight to be around. 

Since women are keen to share their experiences of menopause with others as these two have done with me (and I am forever grateful) I decided why not share their wisdom with my other Golden Divas so that we can gain from their wisdom. 

Lethia Brown is single, cute, and sassy and she will be 78 years old this year. She has 2 grown children a man and woman (she so politely stated) 1 granddaughter and a great-grandson in school. She loves socializing and entertaining because she loves being around people. Lethia loves to travel she will be going on a cruise for her birthday on December 14th for 14 fabulous days, coming back home just in time for Christmas. This senior diva has been married twice and has been in the workforce for 45 years. She has worked at my previous place of employment First Chicago and is involved in the following ministries at NFBCI, “Seniors on The Move” and “First Impressions.”

Victoria Jones-Mullins is 64 years old and in March 2018 she will be 65 years old. She is truly blessed and she thanks, God daily to be her age, and in her right mind with somewhat reasonable health. She was born in Chicago and attended Harlan High School and South Suburban College. She moved to the South Suburbs in 1979 and currently lives in Hazel Crest, IL with her husband Robert, and her 3 cats and 1 Yorkie.  She has 1 daughter Pamela (son-in-law Bryan) and 2 grandchildren Amani 12, and Naomi 10, who lives in Brandon, Ms.

Victoria has retired from working in May 2008 and fills her time by attending church at New Faith Baptist Church International in Matteson, IL where she actively serves as a greeter in the First Impression Ministry and the Wedding Ministry. In her spare time, she is active in the Red Hat Chapter of Virtuous Victories, where she assists as co-queen with 20 beautiful, and fun-loving women.

Her hobbies include attending plays, concerts, traveling and of course shopping. When she gets the opportunity, she enjoys getting dressed up in high fashion, when she was in her 20’s and 30’s she went to a lot of corporate affairs where she had to dress up. She loves looking and dressing like a lady and she misses that opportunity to continue to dress in high fashion; however, Victoria believes that you are never too old to Look Fabulous and that’s the “Old School” in her to continue to do so.

IN CONVERSATION WITH LETHIA & VICTORIA  

C50: Why do you think it is important for women to share their experiences of menopause with other women?

LB: To share all experiences with each other is a wonderful attribute because in most cases we’re going to experience the same thing anyway and it lets us know that we are not alone. Basically, as a female no one woman is unique, we will share a lot of the same things such as illnesses, marital discourse, abuse, menopause, etc. Why not share your experience of menopause to let another woman who is going through it know that they will be just fine. When you share your experiences of menopause it states that you care because you can inspire and encourage one another that with a goal they can make it through and that you will not die at the door.

VJM: I think it’s important for women to share their menopausal experiences because sometimes we may be the only women they have to speak to, because by the time they reach menopausal age 50 years or older their own mother may not be present to ask questions to. Also, each person’s experience may be entirely different. I have one girlfriend that has not experienced any signs of menopause.  Oh… how I envy her.

C50: Should women expect NOT to have menopausal problems?

LB: I feel that women should recognize that they will have some symptoms and that they should talk to their doctor because women will go through menopause differently.

VJM: I do not know if all women experience some sort of issue with menopause. I only know I am ready for my season to be over with! Thank God that I have a supportive husband, he installed a ceiling fan with remote control (ha-ha). I started my menopause at age 50 and 15 years later it is a guest that has overstayed their visit … I want them to go home.

C50: Do you feel that it is necessary for women to form a support group while going through menopause?

LB: Yes! Why not we get together to discuss anything and everything and you know what this is a good thing because we will always learn something from one another. A support group can make you aware of so many things that might take place within menopause and it is great to be able to call to talk to someone that is going through the same thing you are going through. A support group whether it is your co-workers, family, or friends can become your menopause network.

VJM: I don’t feel it is necessary to form a formal support group however it is great to have friends or family to be able to ask questions to.

C50: Why is it important to be informed about all of the changes that you may go through during menopause?

LB: I believe that is important to be informed about all of the changes of menopause so that it can help you through this transition of life. You will be able to recognize the symptoms so that you can better access the problem when it rears its ugly head. Lol.  

VJM: It is so important to understand your body first, not only pertaining to menopause but pay attention to all changes you may go thru, please feel free to speak with your personal doctor if you have changes that may concern you. When I began menopause, I told my Gy/Ob Doctor who was a female, that she would have to give me something to help with the night sweats and hot flashes, because of having Fibromyalgia (it’s terribly hard to sleep through the night because of the pain) and Menopause that I would kill someone (smile) if I could not get any sleep.

C50: Did you seek help while you were going through menopause?

LB: People didn’t really discuss menopause back in the day when I was going through it.

VJM: Yes, I sought help through my Gy/Ob doctor and read up on Menopause.

C50: Were you assertive in managing menopause?

LB: Yes…I went to the doctor and was offered a hormone therapy pill.

VJM: Yes, I am very assertive and creative with managing menopause. I sleep with the window cracked about an inch along with the fan on sometimes 2 fans running. You must have a sense of humor about it. I have a personal fan in every purse and won’t leave home without it. Sitting in church fanning when it’s not hot is a dead giveaway to other women in our age bracket. I was sitting next to another woman in the church, while fanning and she said, “Oh, you are still going through your season!” I said, “I hope it will be over soon,” and her reply was “No it isn’t anytime soon! Oh, such as Joy!

C50: Did you consider the range of treatment options for persisting symptoms during menopause?

LB: Yes. I stayed on HRT for 3 to 6months and it did work; however, I got scared when I found out that it may cause cancer.

VJM: I tried “Estrogen Therapy” for 5 years and it helped greatly, however it can cause cancer, therefore I discontinued taking estrogen and I just try to manage it as naturally as possible.

C50: How did you stay healthy while going through the change?

LB: I didn’t exercise at all nor did I exercise. I just road it out!

VJM: I have learned to change my diets, such as not eating spicy foods before going to sleep or caffeine. I also changed what I sleep in which is mostly breathable cotton or as little as possible.

C50: How did you keep menopause in perspective?

LB: I came to the conclusion that there was nothing you can do about it. When I got hot I got my wet towel so that I could cool down. I do suggest that you keep plenty of napkins in your purse. Lol.

VJM: I keep menopause in perspective with humor, and I realized that it is a part of life that I can’t change. A couple of good things come from going through menopause no more periods and I couldn’t get pregnant.

C50: How long did menopause last for you?

LB: I am still going through it with some hot flashes.

VJM: I am still going through it. It has been 14 years and it will soon be 15 years in March 2018.

BONUS QUESTION 

C50: What is the (1) advice that you would love for women who are going through menopause to embrace quickly?

LB: Please check with your doctor first so that you can find out about any new changes that may occur during menopause. Before you even think about getting HRT to find out all you can regarding the pros and cons. Lastly, try to make it a point to not take your frustrations out on anyone else.

VJM: Please don’t be a shame of menopause it is part of being a female. Educate yourself and talk with your doctor, especially if you feel you are pre-menopausal. Your doctor can run tests to see if you are going into menopause. If your menstrual cycle starts going askew, missing, twice in a month or skipping a month or two maybe some of the signs that you are going through menopause.

C50: There you have it Golden Divas! I would like to thank our November Golden Divas, Lethia Brown, and Victoria Jones-Mullins for sharing their truths, caring, encouraging, and inspiring us that we can get through this menopause stuff together. These two Golden Divas is loving life to the fullest despite that they are still going through menopause.