With her eyes wide open, she lay there thinking about the pain pulsing through her body and whether she could even make it to work today. She had already called in sick the day before because it was only day two of her menstrual cycle, and the bleeding had been unbearable—heavy enough to leave her feeling drained, weak, and terrified of bleeding through her clothes at any moment. Every month, her cycle lasted anywhere from seven to ten days, always accompanied by intense cram

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 28:11 As she lies there staring at the ceiling, she keeps hoping that eventually her mind will quiet down long enough for her to rest. Instead, her thoughts keep racing. Maybe she should throw in a load of laundry. Maybe she should clean something. But it’s 1:00 a.m., and she doesn’t want to disturb the house. So, what is she supposed to do with all of this restless energy? She tosses and turn

“Okay, this will be a small insertion under the hip,” the doctor says. “This should help with the night sweats, irritability, and brain fog. But I do need to let you know that some possible side effects include an increased libido and voice changes.” We both laugh. Sidebar: If you have ever experienced childbirth, you know there is a moment when the pain still feels manageable. The nurse asks if you want an epidural, and calmly, confidently, you decline because in your mind,