Woman of a Certain Age
The woman awakened this morning sweaty, desperately searching for cooler air, afraid of the unknown that lies ahead in her life. The feeling of aging, isolation and insecurity in this new role prompts her once again to make another appointment. She feels rocky, barren, dry, crisp, like the spaces above tree line, the tundra, at the highest of altitudes. Not much takes hold above tree line and life struggles for every sacred millimeter of growth, gulping every droplet of water. It is all so fragile, so is she.. Starting anew, trying to find the softness for a root of some sort to take hold. Searching always, never giving up on herself she enters the clinic.
A WOMAN’S PLACE
NEW PATIENT INTAKE FORM
56 Medical Parkway, Ridgeview, CA
Sex: Female
Age: of a certain
Primary Concerns or Reason for Being Here:
No more children, no more pregnancies, no more periods cramps and bleeding. I was told there is great loss of joy when we bleed, but I have lost joy in the non-bleeding.
Have you seen in the past for the same issues?: Yes, several times in the past three to four years.
Past Treatments: Prescribed anti depressants. Prescribed anti anxiety medication. Was told to go to therapy and perhaps even to leave my marriage.
Symptoms and Timeline: Eight years ago a strong need for SPACE, then came the anger, or more like rage really, then sadness, lots of tears, sensitivity, oh and hot flashes off and on throughout. The hot flashes feel like the burning off of the residual, the last remaining bits of my past self.
What if any past treatments helped to aileviate symptoms?: Meditation, Black Cohosh for the hot flashes, and Shatavari to nurture mood swings, and many other herbs depending upon the symptoms of the day. The above pharmaceuticals just added on more symptoms.
When did you last ovulate?: NA ?
What day 30 days ago was your last opportunity of fertility?: NA I guess? I do wonder what I would have done if I had known it was my last opportunity - maybe I’d have had an ‘unbaby’ shower?
Past Diagnosis: Depression. Anxiety. Stressful marriage. High Cholesterol. Per menopausal. I am now in menopause and starting to find my footing there. My body has done its best to keep up with the changes - so has my husband and my family and my friends, but I still struggle nearly every day,
Prognosis: The rising up of power from the ashes (from the hot flashes) like the phoenix! From the barren, burnt out forest struggles the seed to grow new life, from empty womb my egg-less ovaries where the newest version of myself is born.
Last Birth: After eight years of transition and coming through the cocoon I have birthed who I am today. This birth seems in contraction to the expansion 32 years of gestation. The spurts and stops of finding who I am under all the emotion, the drama, the life of it all, all with love.
She smiles as she hands the form to the front desk. She confidently sits in the uncomfortable chair next to the pile of Mothering Magazines and samples of baby formula. After a few moments of looking around at the expansive bellies and toddler play section of the waiting room she gets up and takes herself out to a glorious lunch with wine.