Met a lovely 56 year old patient the other day with palpitations.
Over the last several months, I had worked her up with numerous investigations. I checked out her heart pretty extensively and my expert cardiology opinion was that it was anxiety and stress. A common issue that I see. I had already gone over all her laboratory results and testing and had gone over all her external issues at home/work that may have been playing a role. But my intuition sensed there was more. I was right. The cardiologist hat needed to be replaced with the metaphysician’s hat for a clearer picture.
I reassured her that it was not the physical heart, yet the heart was trying to tell us something, we just had to listen. So we both remained silent for a few moments, then I spoke.
“ I think it is your early menopause symptoms that is driving these palpitations.”
After a long pause, “ I think you are right. I have been fighting it now for a while. I am scared.”
“ What of?”
“ Getting old and turning into whatever it is I am turning into” she replied with disgust.
“ Allow me to explain. Every woman has to go through the stages of girl, maiden, mother and crone. The last stage is a time of wisdom, compassion and guidance for the next generation of women. You are fighting something very primordially natural and elemental. Imagine the amount you can offer the girls, women and mothers behind you from all your experiences. Think of yourself as a beacon in the night and not as some decrepit person. You have many decades left in your life, your heart is strong and you have no other medical problems.
If you embrace what your body is doing and getting you ready for the next level of transformation then you will be less out of sync and more in tune. Additionally your heart will not have to work overtime to get your attention to get grounded. You are chasing some fantasy of what you think you should be at this stage of your life based on some nonsense that society has told you and running away from society’s false image of what a crone is.
Trust your heart, trust yourSelf and be YOU and some version of someone else. Keep staying healthy with adequate nutrition and exercise, and truly embrace who you are becoming by being who you are today. “
She started crying. I was thinking “ oops what did I do now”
“ You are absolutely right, I am terrified. I can do what you suggest.” She sobbed.
“ Journal out your emotions, see the magic that is unfolding within you and the benefits of what is happening. Would you like to have a baby at this stage of your life now that you are settled and ready to retire? “
“NO “ was her firm reply. “ I had my kids and they are all grown up”
“ So dont look back at an earlier stage of your womanhood evolution with envy and see the drawbacks of going backward and the benefits of going forward for example more time to deal with hobbies you put aside all these years, time to exercise, financial completeness, satisfaction of your career etc. Be grateful for your past, and welcome the future by loving your present.”
“ Thank you, I so needed this conversation” she stated.
She gave me a hug and ended her appointment.
Not all cardiology appointments have to deal with pills nor does every cardiac symptom have to be a pathology. Sometimes the physiology of the heart is trying to show us how to get grounded and stay inspired.
…………….
I love you
