Hello, my post-menopausal tribe. My name is Shanelle Salas, RN. I am a registered nurse, a hospice nurse, a wife, a mom, a nana, a friend, and a survivor of being tossed into menopause following an abrupt hysterectomy at 51. I found that, even given my medical background, and years of nursing experience, I was lost in understanding what was happening to me and what to do about it. The hot flashes were sadistic. I had no patience with anyone in my life. I was gaining weight. My memory was poor. My word recall was worse . I couldn’t sleep and was hurting all over. I began searching for explanations and solutions. I then thought, if I needed reliable guidance and information, wouldn’t other women need the same, maybe even to a greater degree?Thus the simple beginnings of my blog, 50+ and Flourishing.
A little more about me: I am 56 years old. I am Christian. I love to read, cook, and learn about naturopathic and holistic healing. I struggle with my weight and need more exercise. Writing this blog is a little scary, although I enjoy reaching out to people with shared experiences. I have been married to my husband for 32 years. We have six children and eleven grandchildren. Being a mother and grandmother, and working as a hospice nurse have been the most fulfilling things in my life, as I believe that my spiritual gift is servitude.
I waited until most of my children were autonomous before I started nursing school. While they were growing up, I worked in school cafeteria’s in order to have time to be a mom. I completed nursing school with honors in my early 40s. I have worked as a critical care nurse and a med-surg nurse. I worked for a short while as a school nurse. Pretty early into my nursing career, I found hospice and have spent the past 13 years, loving on and caring for my patients whose time on this earth is short. It is an amazing job that I am blessed to have the opportunity to do.
My hope and goal is to build a community of women, who can learn to deal with post-menopausal changes; to share information and teach about symptoms and solutions, and hopefully entertain a little while I am doing it.
I would love for you to reach out and tell me a little about yourself and what your thoughts are about my blog.
