My Week In Review/May 27, 2018 - June 2, 2018

Dear Beautiful People,

The most outstanding occurrence in my week came this past Monday, when I was made aware of Menstrual Hygiene Day. It was given special focus because the Duchess of Sussex is an advocate of menstrual health. Or maybe it clicked in my brain because of her involvement.  I became familiar with the term 'period poor', where girls and women aren't able to afford basic sanitary supplies. They are also made to feel ashamed, as if what happens to them is their own fault. Perhaps, I have lived in ignorance for so long because I was one of the lucky ones. My mother had no problem explaining the facts of life to me and she made sure I had whatever I needed when I was a child. Because I was ten when I began my periods, and I suffered with cramps, severe dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder, endometriosis, and polycystic ovaries. I was a wreck. Weeks would go by and I'd suffer the symptoms but not the actual period. Other times, my periods lasted 6-8 weeks. I ended up with anemia. I cannot imagine how my life would've been if I wouldn't have had the mother that I did. I had to go to Charity Hospital every Tuesday, so I could be monitored. Estrogen would've helped a lot, but I developed blood clots at 12 and 15, and again at 19, so I've been banned from the hormone for the rest of my life. Even today, I must take aspirin to keep my blood thinned. Of course, the aspirin didn't help my heavy periods. Needless to say, it very much alarmed me when it finally penetrated my take-it-for-granted-brain how big of an epidemic the lack of resources are for women, as well as the awful stigma that is attached to menstruation. We, as women, should be celebrated. We definitely should ban together to help our sisters in need. There are many websites out there that discusses Menstrual Hygiene Day, but here are two that you should look up: Myna Mahila and Menstrual Hygiene Day.

Menstrual Hygiene Day happened to fall on Memorial Day this year. The day for me was very quiet, although I did reflect on its meaning and I will always thank service members for their great contributions.

On a lighter note and in reference to my previous post, Kendall's Crimes, I'd like to say that I'm aware continually focusing on her crimes "brings light to them", "cheapens Kendall's many issues that prevent her from healing", and "doesn't allow the reader to move on so that she may be forgiven". Kendall is a heated issue and I sometimes forget that, as the author, I shouldn't attempt to "manipulate the minds of readers by constantly bringing her up". In fairness to the "sensibilities of readers", I will do a post on Christopher's Crimes. Soon. 😜

Tell me how your week went in the comments.