COVID-itis

You’ve got this… just fit your own oxygen mask first.

It’s good advice: you must care for yourself in an emergency before you can help others.
 
This is surely the weirdest week I’ve ever lived through. Never have I been so unsure what our lives will look like in two weeks’ time. Never has my thinking on things evolved so radically and quickly; I literally went from “OMG, what if they close the schools?” to “OMG, why AREN’T they closing the schools?!” in just 36 hours.

The Best and Worst of Times

This week brought out the best and the worst in myself and my fellow humans, and it’s just the beginning. Everywhere I see the same “caught in the headlights” expressions as people veer between under and over-reacting. We already have COVID-itis, and most of us haven’t even caught the virus yet!
 
Amidst the frenzied activity in our general practice this week, a little voice inside my head was saying “Take a breath, it’ll be ok”; it got louder and louder as I became more tired and frazzled. And she’s right… it will be ok.
 
This strange new world will be with us for the next 6-9 months at least. It will be a marathon, not a sprint (although recent supermarket sports might inspire an alternate “COVID Olympics”… toilet paper wrestling, anyone?)

Care For Yourself So You Can Care For Others

We’re in for the long haul ladies, and we need to look after ourselves. Here’s a wonderful, common-sense article from the Sydney Morning Herald by a fellow doctor, Kate Gregorevic, entitled “I’m a doctor. This is what I’m doing to stay well during coronavirus.” 
 
We need to stay physically and mentally well to deal with whatever comes. On the other side we’ll be wiser, more resilient, perhaps a bit sadder but almost certainly stronger. Here is an opportunity for personal growth, connectedness, ingenuity and extraordinary kindness. The adversity of 2020 will shape our national identity and hopefully bring greater social cohesion alongside the “social distancing”.

If you’re struggling with perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms on top of everything else, I am committed to supporting you through this. Having fewer flushes and more sleep, feeling better about yourself and less anxious… these will rebuild your reserves for the tough times ahead.

It’s Business As Usual In Telehealth Land

Thankfully, since WellFemme is an online business I can continue on as usual providing Telehealth menopause consultations. I’m also very proud to offer a series of free menopause workshops live on Facebook from Monday 6^th April (7pm AEST). Our first topic will be the ever-popular HRT (Hormonal Replacement Therapy), and you’ll be able to review the videos afterwards as Facebook posts. Jump onto WellFemme’s Facebook page and post me your questions and topic suggestions.
 
Blessings and best wishes to you all and your families. I look forward to interacting with many of you over the coming months so that we might support each other along the way.
Dr Kel xx

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What is WellFemme About?

If you can’t find the professional help you need for your perimenopausal symptoms then book a Telehealth consultation with an expert WellFemme menopause doctor.

WellFemme is Australia’s first dedicated Telehealth menopause clinic, servicing locations nationwide including: Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin, Perth, Hobart, Brisbane, Dubbo, Bendigo, Broken Hill, Broome, Alice Springs, Launceston, Cairns, Mildura, Lightning Ridge, Kalgoorlie, Albany, Toowoomba, Charleville, Port Headland, Katherine, Ballarat, Coober Pedy, Bourke, Albury… and your place! 🙂