I wanted to skip this week’s post altogether because I am not in the mood, just plain exhausted. I lay curled up in bed all morning in rainy Lagos listening to a good audiobook titled “Honor” by Thrity Umrigar. I assumed the fantastic narrator’s voice will drown out the lethargy I was feeling, it did not. It felt like someone was banging drums in my head, not in a violent migraine way, more throbbing, then dizziness - this one has me worried so I finally dragged myself out of bed to check my blood pressure because I needed to rule that out, it was within normal range. Then I realized, this is that time of the month where everything and nothing is wrong. Menstruation, ever noticed that it rhymes with frustration too?
So yes, I am writing here a bit frustrated, determined to make the most of the day. I got out of bed, had breakfast, breaking my 20/4 intermittent fast window hours earlier, swallowed a painkiller(which has not helped), took a piping hot shower and gilded myself up in red underwear because this is war after all, blood flows. I joined my meeting at 11am, a one-on-one with a women’s network group where I am a member. I had wanted to cancel the session because I did not think I would be any use to the other person, but so glad I stuck to it now. We had an open, honest conversation where we both chose to talk about life instead of career. I shared about Ourwombs, we touched on fertility, miscarriages, the cost of egg freezing in South Africa where she dialled in from, fibroids which we have both had myomectomies for and more. God knew my soul needed this pick me up this morning after all. Thank you Patisa for being authentic, a good listener and sharing a bit of your journey with me.
This is a short piece because I need to close my eyes and fend off this thing happening in my head. Does anyone else get this blood-rush type fog thing? It feels like all the blood that my body will expel is passing through my brain first, strange and destabilizing. I cannot overemphasize the importance of tracking symptoms during a cycle, I never experienced this feeling around my cycle until two years ago. It is also not consistent i.e. each month so sometimes I forget both are related. Every month, I wonder what new surprise my body might spring up. CLUE has these indicators that suggest symptoms and I was ruthless in tracking things, that’s how I clocked in.
Here is my ask for you all today, share a bit about your cravings, symptoms leading up and during, or whatever titbits you might want to share with me via email at nnenna@ourwombs.com or click reply to this email if you got it in your inbox and I will curate and share with everyone after I compile it. I recall a friend telling me she would get cramps in her neck leading up to her periods and never put the two together, as in neck cramps…? Mercy Lord!!
Again, thank you everyone for your feedback on previous posts. My next stories are always in my inbox as more of you open up about life there, it is humbling reading your journeys. Keep sharing so we all feel less alone about life. Do not forget to follow as well on @ourwombs on Instagram. Have a splendid weekend and keep going…