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[dulciana]

Right in the middle of this lovely menopause......I've also got part of an organ-playing exam tomorrow!  I absolutely adore playing the organ (which I converted to seriously from piano after I was forty - I'm now 54) but sitting exam in it when I'm menopausal??  I really must be mad!  I'm really hoping my concentration won't let me down, that I won't be hit by anxiety and/or apathy, and that I won't get my sleep wrecked tonight by the weather we're supposed to be getting after the heatwave.   I'm wondering how many other candidates for this are menopausal women - not many, I bet!  It's so important to me to get this qualification, having come to the organ late, as it would prove my professional competence.   I just hope against hope that I won't under-perform and look ridiculous just because of the meno!  My fingers are crossed (not when I'm playing, though!)

[Katy]

Hi dulcinia

   and I wish you lots of luck for your exam tomorrow and really hope the menopause doesn't get in the way!

Katy x

[dulciana]

Thanks Katy - I'll really need it!   
Dulciana x

[Limpy]

Dulciana - Hope the exam goes well. 

Concentrate on enjoying the music, and NOT thinking I've got to play well.
You'll feel better when you actually start playing.
If you do get uptight tonight, just look at the music and get it really fixed in your mind.
If that doesn't work, try looking at all the scales. That'll get you to sleep.
Don't panic

BTW - Welcome to the Forum

[dulciana]

Yes, you're right, Limpy.  Not panicking is the hardest bit, as I've been doing that big time since this all started.  Mind over meno!

[Hurdity]

Hey dulciana

Welcome to the forum from me too!
Wow, the organ!! How wonderful to be taking an exam - have you taken any at all recently?
Go for it - sounds brilliant and I hope you do really well.
If you have played in public before then I am sure you won't find it too bad - but if not - just imagine it is your teacher if you have one.
I did a piano exam in my 40's - but I was nowhere near menopausal so I admire you for doing this!

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

   ........ it's probably the only organ that many women get at this time of Life      ....... I played the piano for years. 

Good Luck!  how long do you have to wait for the results .........

[dulciana]

Thanks Hurdity.  I've taken exams before and I play every week for services - and I really love performing - but an exam under these circumstances has to be on the list of what NOT to do during the meno!!!

CLKD - three agonising weeks!  Mind you, the menopause makes me so forgetful, maybe I'll forget to worry about it!   Do you still play the piano?

[CLKD]

Nope.  It got carried to the neighbours' when their kids wanted to learn to play.  I gave the clarinet away too.  Sing - sometimes in the shower 

3 weeks to wait  - which Board did you sit under?

[Evenstar]

All the best. I bet you'll do wonderfully.

[Limpy]

How did it go Dulciana?

[charlie12]

Hi there

I so hope that your exam went well.

I had a surgical menopause following treatment for ovarian cancer. I am a trainer for a large organisation and am required to pass a knowledgeable assessment I.e. a written exam every year ....so far I have passed all of them...am now 51 , was 47 when diagnosed.

Studying at all ages is now far more common than it used to be .....but well done .

Charlie xxxx

[dulciana]

Thanks for all this support - it's REALLY appreciated - I'm just back from holiday, so I've only just read your posts.
CLKD, it was part of one of the RCO (Royal College of Organists) exams. 
Limpy, I think/hope it went not too badly, so my fingers are crossed!  Very luckily, I didn't get any hot flushes, panicky feelings or whatever.  Here's hoping the menopause didn't matter!  Results not out yet, though.

[Joyce]

Well done you. Bet you were concentrating so hard, you never noticed the flushes or feelings of anxiety.

[CLKD]

Holiday - where ?  we have a thread on that too