Personal Stories Story of the Month - March 2010

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Our Featured Story Never Underestimate Physical Fitness I was always in fairly decent shape. I could eat what I wanted and not really gain weight. I liked to keep active, go for long walks and spend time swimming. My blood pressure was normal, my weight was normal and everything was fine. I was healthy. Then one day I got into a car accident and dislocated my shoulder. This put a damper on things to say the least. Not only was I in a lot of pain, but I also couldn’t do the things I loved to do. I thought it would only be for a few weeks, so I tried not to let it bother me. I thought it was best to take it easy, take some pain pills and try to get better. Of course, I also consoled myself with cookies. I deserved to pamper myself a bit. However, there were complications with my healing, and weeks turned into months. Acute pain turned into chronic pain. And I had got out of the habit of exercising. At first, it was because whenever I tried, it would aggravate my shoulder. After the first attempts, I didn’t try anymore. It was easier to sit at home and say, “I can’t.” I was feeling sorry for myself. And I got lazy. Next thing you know, I had put on 20 pounds! To make matters worse, I was tired all the time, and started experiencing depression and bad headaches. A routine checkup showed that my blood pressure had soared. What could be causing all this? A battery of tests showed nothing else unusual. My doctor asked me if there were any changes to my lifestyle. The only thing I could think of was my lack of activity. I didn’t think that stopping exercise for a couple of months would have such an effect on my health, and my stress level, but I guess I was wrong. My doctor said there were things I could do that would not aggravate my shoulder. In fact, with the right exercises and physiotherapy, it may actually start to help the pain. This is something I think I always knew deep down. He referred me to a sports medicine specialist. It was hard to get motivated at first, hard not to say “poor me” and stay in bed instead of getting up for a morning walk every day. But each day it got a bit easier, as the habit came back. I am happy to report that one month later, I am down eight pounds, and my blood pressure is normal. I have a better outlook on life and more energy. I wish I could say that my shoulder miraculously doesn’t hurt anymore either — but it still does. I am still working through that. I now know that the shoulder pain isn’t my whole life. Most of all, I learned that living a healthy life is the best thing I can do for myself and my healing. I know I won’t take good health for granted again. — Annie Read more Personal Stories here. Next month our topic will be Sexual Health. Do you have a personal story to share? If you would like to submit a story of your own, we would love to hear from you. For guidelines, please read below. Please submit your stories now.

Sharing Your Stories

Remember how you first learned about your period? If you were lucky, your mother or your best friend or your sister told you her story. The first time she tried to use a tampon, or how she learned about her body. Of course, it's vital to have clear and medically accurate health information, but one of the best ways we learn about our health is from other women's stories. Even if a story doesn't give you all the facts, it gives you the sense that someone has been there before, that the future isn't unmanageable.

Now you have the opportunity to share your story with Club members. Maybe you can share how you changed your life in a healthy way or how you cope with an illness that you can't change. Whatever your story, we're giving you a chance to offer a helping hand to other women, to share practical tips and maybe even to inspire someone else.

Do you want to see your story up in lights (at least in little tiny ones called pixels)? We do. Please use this email address to submit your story (approximately 500 words please).

Don't forget, we also have a number of free Discussion Groups where you can join in on a variety of women's health topics, and talk to other women about your health concerns and experiences.