Dear Past Self (And Other Younger Women)-
I’ve been learning a lot this past year and I’ve had a new awareness this week. I thought it important to share with you. Buckle up, this is a longer one.
See, there are some health-related things I’m discovering could be clearer now if I’d done things differently back then.
Don’t get me wrong- I’m not in a “woe is me” mood. I don’t have regrets- I just have a good ol’ case of reflection.
In fact, 2026 is heading in a good direction. I’m in remission (now at 10 months), and my Bells Palsy is 95% resolved (which means I can look in the mirror and take photos again!). I’ve begun to really understand what bothers my back (bulged disc) & sciatica, and how to make it feel better. I have a strength and mobility plan in place (and an awesome trainer). And I’m actually quite enjoying my new heart-healthy Whole Food Plant Based (WFPB) diet (who knew?!).
And I’m confident as an advocate for my own health. I learned from the best; my mom is a nurse practitioner and a genetic counselor. While all her questions to doctors embarrassed me growing up, I’ve benefited greatly from this skill. And of course I carry on the embarrassment to a new generation (my kids).
See?? That’s a lot of good.
But still- if I could go back, I would do a few things differently.
We know about financial literacy, and encourage people to save for retirement long before it comes. What about health literacy? Why do we not encourage people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s to prepare for a longer healthspan by “banking” wellness and understanding their personal health metrics?
Here’s what I mean:
We have all heard the saying “youth is wasted on the young.” Perhaps. But maybe in regards to health, it’s about understanding how to maintain the benefits of youth while we age. Our healthcare system is mainly set up to be responsive. It often falls to the individual to educate themselves and learn to advocate for what they need.
Over the course of this year I’ve learned what i would recommend to my past self, (or other younger women):
As a young woman, my bone density was at its peak around 30. This means that the opportunity to finish building bone was in my 20s. While I was very active, I could have focused more intentionally on strength and impact activities.
I’d also go back to my 30s and start prioritizing sleep. In a different way, and before I experienced difficulty falling or staying asleep. I’d practice good sleep hygiene earlier. I’d learn that sleep is not the absence of growth, it’s where all the good stuff happens.
And lastly, in my early 40s, I’d get a full “baseline” blood panel done. Not to look for problems, but to have a baseline of what my “normal” is for every major bodily function. (If I knew about my genetic risk factor for heart disease, I most certainly would have altered my diet earlier.) I’d also consider genetic testing for known family disease so that I could focus on lifestyle interventions to lower my risk.
Similarly, before doing chemotherapy, I was given lots of scans and bloodwork. This was all to know the baseline for during and post-chemo and also to make informed medical decisions. But it was only really related to oncology. It was a whirlwind time full of chaos and uncertainty and a lot of decision-making. Yet if I had to do it again:
I’d have taken a DEXA scan for bone density. I was casually offered this but declined since all bloodwork looked good, and they did not encourage otherwise. I did not know that a year later, I would want a pre-chemo baseline before starting aromatase inhibitors, which can severely reduce bone density.
I’d have pushed for a more complete bloodwork panel. They tested for chemo-related items. What I should have asked for was a panel that gave me a baseline for any future health issue- cardiovascular, neurological, and more. Who knows what will surface in the coming years, and my baseline is forever changed.
And yet- I can’t go backwards. And it’s not helpful to dwell on “the shoulds.”
I spoke with with my mom (a healthy and vibrant 76 year old) which helped me think about prevention and “banking health” in a few categories like heart, brain, dental, bone, genetics, hormones.
So overall, this reflection has me thinking in two ways:
What can I share with others so they know in advance?
What can I do now so that I am best positioned for the second half of my life?
I like the way this feels proactive and action-oriented. I have an amazing primary care doctor whose specialty is cancer survivorship and thinks holistically about prevention. My next step is to talk with her to see what else I may want to consider as I bank as much wellness as possible for the coming decades.
Love,
Current Self
Crissy Beach on a sunny day this weekend. I always feel grateful for my health with this view.