As if the Desert isn't Hot Enough

A little over a week ago I turned 47.

The next day the hot flashes started.

I thought I might be having a heart attack.

No, really.

I broke out in an odd sweat, the kind you get just before you throw up - but there was no nausea.  This happened several times, each lasting about 30 seconds to a minute.  I had no idea what was happening.  I secretly wondered if I was having a heart attack.  


The next day my sister-in-law came over.  She'd just ridden two hours on her motorcycle.  As she came into my kitchen she said, "Hot flashes in a motorcycle helmet are no fun."  That's when the epiphany came.  I was having hot flashes.  I've had other perimenopause symptoms for years, but this was new.  She said she had just begun experiencing the same symptoms and also had wondered if she was having a heart attack.


So, the hot flashes have started.  In two weeks, I'll be moving to the desert.  Perfect timing....

The bit of desert to which we are moving.