Creative Distractions #4
Fairytales, Fantasy, Medical Myths, Menopause & a Recipe
Creative Distractions are a good thing. They could be essays, books, multimedia, music, films, poems, art, or other creative work that has touched or inspired me. I find an abundance of beautiful, thoughtful, humorous, and heartwarming examples of creativity every day.
Article: Eight Medical Myths Keeping Women from Getting Proper Diagnosis and Treatment
by Aviva Romm, MD
When I began to explore herbal medicine three decades ago, I thought I would learn about how to use plants instead of drugs to heal my body.
I couldn’t have been more wrong. Herbal medicine's first lesson is that healing and caring for the body begins with our lifestyle: diet, movement, stress management, and personal connections. The second lesson is always to seek the root of the problem and then proceed with treatment.
Dr. Aviva Romm started as an herbalist and midwife and completed her medical training in her 40s. I appreciate her wisdom, honesty, training, and experience.
There is a long history of ignoring or dismissing women's health complaints. Because this is so well-practiced in our culture, many women aren’t even aware it is happening to them. In the last two decades, I have had to stand up to MDs who treated me in ways that did not acknowledge my own experience, knowledge, and desire to be a partner in my wellness. When I was diagnosed with gallstones, the MD said automatically, “We will schedule you for surgery to remove your gall bladder.” I asked why it had to be removed, and he looked up from his computer to explain that “it’s what is done.” He then told me that it’s a very common procedure, and millions of people live just fine without their gallbladders. Still, no explanation, so I went online, looked at credible sources, and consulted with a clinical herbalist who recommended several dietary changes, herbal treatments, and two supplements. Five years later, I still have my gallbladder and my gallstones, but they no longer cause any pain.
I discovered that the more informed I am about my body and its complaints, the more control I have over my wellness. Check out Aviva’s article, and please share in the comments any experiences where you have been denied or dismissed by your medical system.
So Many Books, So Little Time
I didn’t grow up in a house with books and readers, so I am earnestly making up for that lost time. For the last couple of years, I have been exploring folklore and fairytales with the help of mythologist and author Sharon Blackie. She offers newsletters, exploration of the heroine’s journey, fairy tale salons, and occasional in-depth “Bone Cave” sessions on her popular Substack site, The Art of Enchantment. I highly recommend any of her books if you seek beautiful storytelling and discussion about place and the stories women need to take back. The links below take you to her website, where you can read each book's descriptions, reviews, and excerpts.
When Women Rose Rooted https://sharonblackie.net/if-women-rose-rooted/
The Enchanted Life https://sharonblackie.net/the-enchanted-life/
Foxfire, Wolfskin https://sharonblackie.net/foxfire-wolfskin/
Hagitude https://sharonblackie.net/hagitude-reimagining-the-second-half-of-life/
The Long Delirious Burning Blue https://sharonblackie.net/the-long-delirious-burning-blue/
Wise Women (Oct 2024) https://sharonblackie.net/wise-women/
My Summer Escape Reading
In 2013, I read a book that swept me into a rich historical fantasy, and I am now rereading Juliet Marillier's entire Sevenwaters series. The characters are rich, the descriptions of place are lovely, and the storyline is engaging.
Book: Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters #1) by Juliet Marillier
From the Publisher:
Lovely Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers, who love and protect her. Sorcha is the light in their lives: they are determined that she knows only contentment.
But Sorcha's joy is shattered when her father is bewitched by his new wife, an evil enchantress who binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell which only Sorcha can lift—by staying silent. If she speaks before she completes the quest set to her by the Fair Folk and their queen, the Lady of the Forest, she will lose her brothers forever.
When Sorcha is kidnapped by the enemies of Sevenwaters and taken to a foreign land, she is torn between the desire to save her beloved brothers and a love that comes only once. Sorcha despairs at ever being able to complete her task, but the magic of the Fair Folk knows no boundaries, and love is the strongest magic of them all...
Recipe: Tuscan Beans & Greens
This delicious and healthy dish is perfect for a group meal or several days when you don’t want to cook. It’s good on its own, but with rice, quinoa, or farro, it becomes a full meal. I usually add some additional protein, like Italian sausage or shrimp.
Hormones & Brain Health
I have been researching hormones and how they contribute to our wellness (which will become a future article). I found this TED Talk fascinating.
Ted Talk: How Menopause Affects the Brain
Spring Wildflower Chasing
Despite the weather, I spent a day hiking the beautiful Cape Horn trail in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. A spring hike in the PNW means packing for all kinds of weather: fleece jacket, down vest, rainjacket, wool beanie and gloves. At the trailhead parking lot, I left the down vest and rainjacket in my truck. The trail is a strenous climb of 1200 feet over 3.0 miles and back down the same trail. I learned it was time to buy new hiking boots: my feet and hips hurt! But the wildflowers were gorgeous.
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The Sevenwaters series is one of my all time favorites, as is Sharon Blackie and all she offers. What a beautiful hike!
My mouth fell open when I read your about your gallbladder episode.
The same happened to me in April 2021, except no stones were found, only “sludge”, their precursor. No straight answers from the “specialists”, just an expectation that I would have the GB removed, because “this will happen again” and “it will only get worse”. My primary care physician is integrative, the head of his hospital’s acupuncture clinic, and trained in Chinese herbalism. I began regular acupuncture treatments, began taking herbs, and added fresh vegetable juices to my diet. I still have my GB, but no sludge and no pain.