Fair to say my 40s haven't been great mostly because I was diagnosed with breast cancer a month after I turned 47. Two mastectomies, fallopian tubes & ovaries removed, chemo, radiotherapy and later, and am still plagued with the most dreadful and painful peripheral neuropathy. But, you know what, am pretty happy, far happier than I was pre-cancer. Why? Well, I didn't die - am the first in my family to be diagnosed with cancer and not die within six months. My mother died at 50. I'm now a few months away from my 52nd birthday. I've outlived her. That's ahuge thing. Am just bloody grateful to have a life to live that its buoys me enough to put up with all the crap (indeed, am currently dealing with eviction, TA and all other kinds of shit. But, it would be so much worse.
My sole gripe? Not being allowed HRT. I went through a premature menopause and that was the only thing keeping me going. But, and thankfully, now I am finished cancer treatment and seven years post menopause, most of those symptoms have vanished. Or maybe it's just chemo-brain is far worse than meno-brain ever was. Either way, I'll be fine. The simple fact that I was had cancer and didn't die like my mum, (nor my aunt who was in her 30s). This keeps me going, and kind of puts everything else into perspective tbh. Am just pleased to be experiencing a time of life that my mother did not, and I could never envision.
Without wanting to sound flippant, am kind of relieved I've dealt with both parents dying (and will never have to deal with them ageing and everything that brings). Add in I've had my own major health scare and seem to have come out of it mostly unscathed. Am hopeful it means I can get on with my 50s and have a great time! Am actually filled with hope for my 50s that was missing during my 40s.