Rita

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😝 #tiktoktrend #cat #catsoftiktok #blackcat #fyp

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I had a bit of a realisation recently. I’ve been so busy living through 2026 that I don’t think I ever stopped to think about just how much my body has been through this year. I started the year with my final two rounds of IVF egg collection. I’ve genuinely lost count of exactly how many retrievals I’ve done, but it has been a LOT. IVF means injections, blood tests, internal ultrasounds, hormones, procedures, anaesthetics, recovery, bleeding, physical discomfort, emotional stress, hope, disappointment and, for me, significant weight gain and changes to my body. And because apparently that wasn’t enough, we were also graced by the Cat Distribution System. We ended up with a mother cat and her two kittens and eventually decided to adopt all three despite already having two cats. 😂 Then, on 22 April, I had a risk-reducing BSO, removing my ovaries and fallopian tubes because I carry BRCA1 and my mum had ovarian cancer. I knew I was having my ovaries removed. What I didn’t fully understand was what would happen afterwards. The hormonal change is immediate. One day your ovaries are producing hormones and the next they aren’t. I didn’t start MHT immediately, so I spent around four months experiencing surgical menopause without hormone replacement. And holy shit. The hot flushes were intense, day and night. I basically stopped sleeping. I had anxiety I’d never experienced before, my heart would pound, my entire body itched, my joints hurt, I developed plantar fasciitis and could barely walk in the mornings, and I had brain fog so bad I still struggle to find my words. I even went back to acting class just days after surgery and suddenly experienced anxiety I’d never had in acting before. I genuinely wondered, “Have I fucked myself to the point where I can’t act anymore?” And somehow, during all of this, I still managed to land myself a really good acting agent/manager. I’m still gobsmacked. Then, on 30 August, I finally started MHT. The difference was remarkable. The hot flushes, itching and joint pain settled, and my sleep improved significantly. And then, because apparently 2026 wasn’t finished with me yet… I got appendicitis. Another operation. Another general anaesthetic. Because why not? Now it’s October and I’m still recovering. I’m still dealing with bloating, some abdominal pain, brain fog, dizziness, low energy, skin that feels like shit and hair that feels like shit. And sometimes I think, “Why do I still feel like this?” Then I had another little lightbulb moment. “Rita. Just chill.” Because I’ve actually gone through a LOT. And not just in 2026. This has been going on since 2024: ongoing IVF, doctors, appointments, mammograms, cancer prevention, planning my BSO, planning preventative breast surgery, and constantly thinking about what needs to be monitored, prevented or checked. Maybe my body hasn’t randomly decided to fall apart. Maybe it’s just been through a fucking lot. And considering all of that? I’m actually doing okay. I’m still recovering, still figuring out my hormones, skin, hair, energy and brain. But I’m moving forward. There’s only one way, and that’s up. I’ve kept going. I’ve kept doing life. I’ve kept training. I’ve kept looking after my cats, my home, my people and myself. So here’s to the final three months of 2026. There is absolutely nothing else this year could possibly throw at me, right? 😂#menopause #ivf #surgery #appendicitis #wtf

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I mean, I get it, Antonio is so fluffing cute #orangecat #kitten #storytime #fyp #cute