Women are so busy these days — even when the kids have flown the coop — and couple that with the mind-set of taking care of everyone else, that it is easy to forget to take care of yourself. The trick is to make small changes at first, and develop them into habits. Good habits.

One place to start is in the morning. I am not fond of swallowing pills, but I do realize womens vitamins are an important part of anyone’s health regimen, and they are even more important once you reach those pre-and post-menopausal years. Here are a few tips to help you develop a good habit helping you to make the most of your Wonder Years and hopefully make you a healthier person:

1. Buy a pill organizer — you can find one at the dollar store that will work nicely. I know I often forget if I’ve taken my vitamins or not, and I have a pill organizer for my medication (okay, I only take one, but I take it twice a day and it’s easy to forget) and an organizer for my vitamins. Works great.

2. Decide what vitamins and supplements are right for you. Since I don’t do pills well, I chew up two Flintstone gummy vitamins. They are really quite yummy, and they go down a lot better than the huge multivitamin pill. You can get the generic brand at Walmart that is the exact same thing for a dollar less than the name brand. Whatever is missing from the gummies you can supplement, if you feel the need. For instance, there is no calcium in the gummy vitamins, but I don’t have a calcium deficiency (I have very dense bones) so I don’t bother supplementing. However, I do need extra B vitamins, so I do take those.

3. Don’t take your vitamins with coffee or soda — take them with water. Coffee or soda can break the vitamins down too soon, and you will lose their beneficial effect. Some vitamins are meant to break down in the stomach, and some in the intestine. Also, some vitamins need fat in order to be metabolized, so it’s a good idea to eat something before you take them.

4. Do your research and tailor your vitamin regimen to your needs. Everyone is different, with different physical and genetic challenges. For instance, heart disease runs in my family, and I have a problem with high blood pressure. In addition to my multivitamin gummies, I’ll take COQ10, B vitamins, borage oil, folic acid, and zinc. I might tweak that out to accommodate the winter months and add vitamin C, and sometimes I get wild and crazy and switch borage oil out for flaxseed.

I picked up this habit from a friend of mine who underwent gastric bypass surgery. Taking vitamins for her is a necessity for her health — but then, it occurred to me, it’s a necessity for me, too. I honestly do feel better, and this is one habit I’m glad I’ve developed.

One advantage to living life on the edge without health insurance, and that is you are not so quick to take the next best and newest pill on the market without checking out a few alternatives first. There’s a pill for everything, it seems, pills to lower the acid in your stomach, cholesterol medications to lower the cholesterol levels in your blood, pills to lower the blood pressure, little blue pills to…well, we know what they do. Heh.

It’s a lot easier to swallow a pill than it is to make lifestyle changes that may improve your health, like eating right or sneaking in some exercise during the day, or giving up a habit you know is doing you more harm than good.

In youth we are reckless with our bodies, but it does eventually catch up to you, and all those bacon double cheeseburgers and late nights at the club finally extol a price. I didn’t realize that when I was young, but the lesson has been pounded home lately, and without health insurance, I’ve started to try to reverse the bad habits of a lifetime and explore other avenues of relief rather than popping a pill that allows me to continue on with bad behavior.

I’ve learned:

1. Apples are miraculous when it comes to quelling the lava-like symptoms of acid reflux.

2. Eating regular and small meals actually does level out your blood sugar.

3. Getting enough sleep at night makes a big difference in your awake level during the day.

4. Exercise doesn’t have to be drudgery. Dancing counts.

5. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day makes you pee 1,000 times a day.

Small changes over a period of time are easier to maintain than waking up one day and saying, “I’m never (eating meat, drinking Pepsi, snacking on greasy chips) ever again.” Once you’ve changed one thing, such as developing a habit of eating a healthy breakfast every day instead of skipping it all together or eating a doughnut on the run, changing the next habit isn’t so difficult, and you feel weird if you deviate from the first new habit.

It’s a work in progress, but I’ll tell you what. I feel better about eating oatmeal in the morning than swallowing a pill that may have side-effects with worse consequences than the ailment it’s supposed to help. It’s a lot easier swallowing spinach salad than it is pharmaceutical propaganda.

You know, not so many years ago I served some time in a doctor’s office as a medical tech and senior receptionist. (The senior did NOT refer to my age. Heh.) The one thing that really struck me, over and over again, is the amount of “stuff” pharmaceutical salespeople had on hand to give away in an attempt to woo the doctor to prescribe their drugs.

From umbrellas to promotional pencils and expensive pens (a few of which I still have, years later), to spa trips for the weekend and personalized fishing equipment, these salespeople had it all. They would bring in a tasty catered lunch a couple of times a month (a week without a gourmet lunch was a rare one) and present their scientific findings among sandwiches and salads with all the trimmings. I had a conversation with one of the guys once, in which he told me they are allowed a budget, and if they don’t use all the money, their budget was cut the following fiscal year. So, they had motivation to spend, spend, spend.

As I look at my pencil holder embossed with one of the more popular erectile dysfunction drug logos, I often wonder how much good that budget would have done had it been used to subsidize low-cost or free medical care for those of us who can’t afford it. I wonder how many times their drug would have been prescribed had there not been personalized post-it notes, pre-filled prescription pads, or free lunches offered.

I know we bash the health care system on a regular basis here on Over Forty, but the fact of the matter is, it sucks, and it seems like the love of money is the root of it.

I do believe that some of those reps actually believed in their product, but I saw many more that did not and sold it anyway. Sometimes, that thought keeps me up at night.

Guess what? You’re getting to that age, people. It’s colonoscopy time. The American Cancer Society recommends the test at age 50 and again at age 60. Colorectal cancer is the leading non-smoking related cancer killer of Americans. Lucky for our fine readers, I’ve been having colonoscopies since I was 15, due to Crohn’s.

My neighbor, now 51, is set to have her first colonoscopy. Not knowing what to expect, she asked me what to expect and I have agreed to go with her when she has the procedure done.

Here’s the short version. Do not eat up to 36 hours before. That is to say, the least amount of solid food you have ½ to 2 days before the procedure, the easier time you’ll have with the prep. Instead, put yourself on a liquid diet. 2 days before, it can even be full liquids like tomato and potato soups. The day before, stick to clear liquids, such as chicken/beef broth, jello and Popsicles.

In all honesty, the worst thing about a colonoscopy is the prep, the dreaded colon cleansing. I always hated that part. The doctor will either give you, or give you a prescription for Golytely. The flavored kinds are called Colytely. While the flavored is tastier than the non-flavored, that’s not saying a lot. And both kinds come in a gallon container that you just add water to. The patient must drink one 8 ounce glass every 15-20 minutes until the whole gallon has been taken.

Stay close to the bathroom because it will hit you and hit you hard. I suggest a container of tucks, as your booty might be a bit tender by the end of it. The goal is the stool should be liquid and almost clear in color. At the very least, a light, light, pale urine color. And believe me, if you’re not clear, the doctor will not do the test on you. In some cases an additional Fleet enema may be necessary the day of the procedure.

That’s the hard part, trust me. Be sure and take someone with you to drive you home. That way the doctor can give you medications to make the test easier. Most people don’t even remember the actual procedure because of the drugs.

The doctor inserts a long rubber-like tube into the rectum. He uses air to inflate the intestines, and water to wash the intestinal walls.

Be prepared when the test if over, to fart. A lot. And you may even have a little bit of fluid expelled with the flatulence.

And that’s it. It’s almost instant. The doctor is able to take biopsies during the procedure, along with photos of your large intestine. So once the lab processes the biopsies, the answer is pretty efficient and quick.

A colonoscopy sounds embarrassing, feels embarrassing, but until you’ve had as many as I’ve had (in 30 years, we’re probably talking at least 50,) suck it up and get over it. The procedure itself when done with medication, is really quite painless. As I said, the worst part of the whole thing is the prep.

Now go forth and get scoped. Your health may depend on it.

I became a LPN when I was in high school, and my mother completed the same training when she was in her forties. I stayed in the nursing profession for a couple of years, then life took me in a totally different direction. My mother, however, became a Hospice nurse and did that job for over fifteen years. My youngest sister is a R.N., and my next-to-the youngest sister has also worked in the health care field in different capacities. My fellow Goddess is also a nurse. I guess you could say it’s a family tradition.

It’s a fine line to walk, as a nurse. You have to care enough to give your very best, but not so much the job eats you from the inside. It’s a tough and sometimes thankless job, but my mother loved it.

Nurse’s Week is slated for May 6 through May 12, to commemorate the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. To celebrate that, I’ve decided to post something my mother wrote while she was a Hospice nurse, notes I found while going through some of her old photos.

Notes From A Hospice Nurse 6/10/98

Some of the things I’ve learned about being a Hospice caretaker:

1. Pray – often – for strength, not only physical but emotional and spiritual as well.

2. Remember that I am a guest in the home of the client and I shall try to do what is pleasing to the client, in the manner the client wishes it to be done – even if it’s not how I think it should be done.

3. Learn all I can about the illness so I will be prepared to recognize signs and symptoms which need to be reported to the case R.N.

4. Know my own limitations and be unafraid to ask for help when I reach those limits.

5. Ask questions about anything I don’t understand no matter how trivial it may seem to be.

6. Come to terms with my own mortality. This helps me to calm the fears of the client and the loved ones the client may be concerned about.

7. Do not impose my religious beliefs upon the client but encourage the client to participate and/or rely on his/her own personal beliefs – religious or non-religious.

8. Encourage the client to participate as fully in living life a day, or sometimes even a moment at a time. Life does not stop with diagnosis or prognosis. We can help to make whatever time is given full of life’s many wonders, large and small.

9. Be kind to family members. Appreciate the help they offer – and accept it. They often have a need to be an intricate part of the physical care. Or sometimes they are simply unable to participate in any way at all. Accept that also. I cannot judge anyone’s behavior or motives – that’s not my job. My job is to be there for ALL members of the family and to help in any way I can.

10. Little things mean a lot, a smile, a hug, a pat on the back, holding a hand, a back rub, a foot rub, reading from a favorite book, writing a letter, making a phone call, a dab of perfume, a close shave, watching a favorite TV show, looking at old photographs, fixing a favorite food, accepting “No” as an answer, a kiss on the forehead, a funny story, a soft voice, a suggestion instead of an order, playing cards, a leisurely stroll if possible, listening to the same story over and over, saying “please” and “thank you”, asking the simple question: – What can I do for you? – then doing it, etc.

11. Be flexible – things don’t always happen as planned – above all – be flexible!

12. Be creative – if the ordinary doesn’t work, try something different. (Don’t have a shampoo tray? Try towels and a garbage bag.) Use your imagination.

13. Be empathetic. Ask yourself what you would expect from your caretaker if you were the client – then do it.

14. Remember to bring your sense of humor with you. Laughter makes everyone feel better.

15. Be prepared for rapid changes and the unexpected.

16. Trust your instincts.

17. Keep it simple.

18. My most important tools are:

a. Compassion.
b. Empathy.
c. How to make a bed without wrinkles.
d. A thorough knowledge of procedures I am expected to perform.
e. Dependability.
f. Honesty.
g. Confidentiality.
h. The ability and the willingness to follow instruction.
i. An open mind.
j. A non-judgmental attitude.
k. A good sense of humor.
l. A great love for what I do and those I do it for.

****

Remember the nurses in your life this week – and always. They are very special people, and many lives (and deaths) would not be the same without them.

I’ve seen these commercials lately for lawsuits regarding mesothelioma, and being the curious type, I had to look it up. I thought maybe it was like one of those commercials from the law sharks — you know the ones — the ambulance chasers. I was amazed and disturbed at the information I found.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. From the 1940s through the 1980s, asbestos was widely used to fireproof roofing and flooring, and used as heat insulation due to its ability to resist heat. It’s a natural occurring silicate, used since the time of ancient Greeks. Even then, the damage to the lungs of slaves exposed to asbestos was noted.

Many uses of asbestos have been banned in several countries, including the United States. However, the ban in the US was overturned in 1991 and the manufacture, importation, processing and distribution of asbestos containing products is still legal. The problem is when the fibers of asbestos become airborne due to demolition or destruction. The more prolonged or intense the exposure to asbestos, the greater the chances of developing health problems.

It is estimated that over 100,000 people will die from diseases resulting from asbestos exposure in the next decade. Some of those people include those who worked so hard after the tragedy of 9-11 in rescue and clean-up from the disaster due to the exposure to asbestos in the air after the demolition of the Twin Towers.

Mesothelioma is incurable and lethal. It is thought to be directly linked to asbestos, and it can take up to 30 years to develop. For more information, check out this site of frequently asked questions.

I have to stop watching commercials.

Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to get back in the saddle again. Sometimes, that’s tough to do after a month of frenetic shopping, cleaning, spending, wrapping, cooking, baking, and socializing. Many people at this time of year go through some sadness, because after the climax of the holidays, everything seems to fall flat.

For instance, your living room looked so pretty, with the lights, the tree, the menorah, the glittery presents and the fragrance of pine and cinnamon wafting about. Now, with all the decorations packed away, presents distributed, lights out, it looks like a desolate wasteland. No to mention  you’re just about pooped out with everything that’s been going on in the last month or so. Read the rest of this entry »

Image via Wikipedia

Unfortunately, over the wonder that is the holiday season lurks the specter of what happens AFTER the holidays. You know, when commercials and magazines start pimping out all the latest hype about the new greatest aid in….WEIGHT LOSS. The best diet pill will melt off the pounds; join this gym and you’ll be fit in record time; all you have to do is exert willpower. All of a sudden we’ve gone from ho-ho-ho to fat-fat-fat.

We here at OverForty aren’t against weight loss; au contraire. We do advocate being healthy, and we do not think being stick thin is healthy. “Healthy” means a lot more than squeezing into an impossible size even if it mean applying Vaseline to the zipper and hauling it up with a pair of pliers. Not that we’ve ever done that. *Ahem*.

Healthy means, to us, not only body, but mind and spirit as well. Of course, take off some pounds if you think it would improve your health, but one of the good things about being over forty is hopefully, you’ve moved on to a time in your life where issues other than “Do I look fat in these pants?” takes precedence – such as, “Am I the person I want to be?” or, “Who do I want to be when I grow up?”

The onslaught of the media regarding weight loss is just around the corner. If you feel the need, that’s one thing. But don’t let a gaggle of plastic people who don’t even sweat when they’re running on that damned treadmill or grunt in the middle of a fitness class led by a Barbie drone make you feel bad about yourself or a few extra rolls. Only dogs like bones, and they bury them, anyway.

Be prepared for the media blitz. Remind yourselves of the beautiful, powerful Goddesses you are. Put the smackdown on the asses who would have you believe otherwise.

Just had to get that off our chest. Party on.

Image by James Jordan via Flickr

With the wide variety of symptoms a woman might experience when she’s reaching that none elusive age of menopause, it’s not difficult to believe that interpersonal relationships may suffer.

If a relationship with a significant other isn’t as strong as it could be, perimenopause and menopause will surely exasperate it. Besides the obvious symptom of loss of libido, other symptoms such as irritability, increased feelings of undesirability, lack of sleep, and weight gain can all affect how we deal with others. Read the rest of this entry »

Image via Wikipedia

Menopause might seem to you to be a frightening and annoying event. I’m not going to lie to you – it can be a rough transition. In most circumstances, you’re dealing with major body changes in addition to holding down a job and administering to a changing family. The kids may be starting to fly the coop – something you’ve been waiting for and dreading since their birth. How do you cope with all the changes and mood shifts? How do you get a grip on the Handle of Menopause? Read the rest of this entry »