Thriving and Loving life.
Hi all, my name is Bernie and I am a 62 year woman now happily thriving following endometrial cancer and menopause with the amazing, caring support of Dr Paula Briggs and team at the Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust.
I am a Transformational Mindset and Life coach and Tai Chi instructor and have always loved life and enjoyed a happy, active, and healthy life. Fitness and good nutrition have been key guiding values for as long as I can remember. As we all have, life has thrown me some challenges, but I have always pushed through my “stops” and made things happen positively. I guess you could say that having a positive, resourceful mindset with lots of energy have been some of my biggest gifts that has helped me navigate life so far.
My body’s ‘brick wall’ experience.
Post lock down, during a regular dance class (not Strictly Come Dancing level but great for fitness and fun!), I noticed after the class I was bleeding vaginally. My periods had ceased some years earlier, so I was alarmed, but then given our natural tendency as humans to go into denial I was convincing myself I had twisted something inside of my abdomen and it was just a symptom of some strong salsa dance moves!
My Inner Ding…. My intuition was speaking
Despite my initial denial that it was just a symptom of dancing the salsa ‘too extremely’, my inner voice (I call it my ‘Inner Ding’) was guiding me to seek advice from my GP and get it checked out as a precaution. My GP was very responsive, told me not to worry and accelerated me though the two week NHS process, which is where they see you quickly to assess the possibility of cancer (or not). Now concern and some fear was creeping into part of my mindset. It’s a challenge not to focus on what you don’t want. Plus post lock-down we had all been living in a mindset of fear about health to some extent, so it was quite alive in many of our mindsets worldwide.
Shocked!
Following an ultrasound scan and a biopsy, I was shocked and subsequently scared to learn that I had either pre-cancerous or cancerous cells in my uterus and that a full hysterectomy was the immediate next step, to remove the cells and discover the extent of it all. So, the hysterectomy happened on Valentine’s Day, February 14th. The result was I had early stages of endometrial cancer and thankfully the full hysterectomy was the treatment, with no need for chemotherapy or radiotherapy or any further treatment required.
The aftermath…. I felt lost
I was so grateful that the operation was a success in removing the cancer - thankyou to my ‘Inner Ding’ for nudging me get it investigated! And so whilst I should have been celebrating being cancer free post the operation, I felt lost. Having had everything removed it had thrown my body and hormones completely off balance. I felt vacant, empty, emotional, foggy headed. I had severe insomnia and the confidence and positivity I always considered as my super strengths had gone. I felt alone despite having a loving, supportive partner and family. I carried a sense of grief and vulnerability, which accompanies such a big transition and change as this. Some of it I guess was psychological losing a part of my body which is such a big part of being a woman, but hormonally things felt very out of kilter.
There is always a solution
I was unwilling to remain in that resourceless, empty state and I had sufficient energy to remind myself “Bernie you always push through your ‘stops’ and you believe there is always a way, always a solution”. So after consulting my GP, whose first instinct was to recommend antidepressants which I refused because but I knew this was hormonal, I requested specialist help to speak about hormones and menopause. Whilst I recognised my GP was great at getting me sorted quickly with surgery, which saved my life, and for which I am truly grateful, I knew I need more specialist help to rebalance my internal hormones and chemistry so that I could return to function with confidence and embrace the new next threshold of my life.
Positive rebalancing – Dr Paula Briggs and the Liverpool Women’s
I was both relieved and delighted that my GP referred me to the care of Dr Paula Briggs a Consultant at Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. Dr Briggs is a Consultant who specialises in menopause, hormones and gynaecology. My consultation with her was liberating and empowering. There was immediate, positive rapport and her genuine interest in me meant I was able to open up as to how I felt physically, mentally and emotionally and share with her especially that my life force, which had always felt strong and vital, now felt completely devoid. After a warm and human conversation Dr Briggs suggested a prescription which would balance my hormones given I have no ovaries now, and also restore my life force, all of which would help me rebalance and get me back to being my best self. And re-balance me she did too. Brilliantly.
I also have taken accountability for my part in my healing and rebalance through exercise and nutrition, mindset and the art of self-care. Something we women often overlook for ourselves in our love to care for others.
Now…I am thriving
I am delighted to say that life is really good now. I am back thriving (not just surviving) and being my best self. I feel confident again (probably more so now),clear-minded, can remember things better, I have renewed purpose and I am embracing new territories such as being a positive advocate for women going through menopause. My illness and menopause has given me a passion to help other women too.
Menopause is a given for us ladies, we know we will experience it, but suffering through it doesn’t have to be the case. With the fabulous work of a great team at Liverpool Women’s and especially Dr Paula Briggs, her insight, knowledge and patient care, new horizons of help and support are emerging so that we woman can move though this phase of our lives with greater ease and onto to a bright new threshold of life.
My top tips if you are going through it
- Remember there is always a way
- Push through your ‘stops’ and do not suffer
- Ask questions to get the right help
- ..because you are worth it!
Bernie