Guest columnist: Turning 50, and fighting for control

It's a Saturday afternoon, I'm sitting in the emergency room wondering if I am having a heart attack but too scared to think that I am -- and I'm looking around me at all the other patients ANTOINETTE
ESSA
who are really sick.

As it turned out, I was not having a heart attack, nor was it a stroke. The tingling and numbness I was feeling in my left arm was called paresthesia, a burning or prickling sensation that can occur in any part of the body but generally affects the limbs.

I don't think I experienced paresthesia because of my age, but it's one of the "things" happening since I turned 50.

I celebrated my 50th last December. The night was fabulous; I had no worries celebrating with my friends. But the following day, I started to wonder just what turning 50 meant.

Was I supposed to start acting 50 or continue to think that I was in my 40s? Besides, I didn't look a day over, hmm, well, 35 -- at least that's what my mind keeps telling my body. So how was I supposed to be 50?

Is part of being 50 being scared out of my pants, thinking I'm having a major medical trauma?

I have lots of questions, and trust me, I do not have the answers. All I know is that for the past several months, I have been fighting with myself trying to figure out what's going on.

I keep losing things. I can't remember where I put things or what I'm looking for or who I'm calling. I lost my checkbook and had to call the credit union. After about 30 minutes canceling my account, I found my checkbook and started crying uncontrollably.

Then there's my own personal summer. No one told me another person would make her home on my belly and waist. I've exercised all my life and tried to eat healthy, only to find that no matter what I do, my visitor wants to stay. You might be laughing; sometimes I have to, also.

Is this all part of being 50? Maybe not for some, but it is my reality, and I do not want to embrace it lying down. I'm going to fight it all the way to the gym. As I do, here are a few tips for other women struggling with 50 and beyond:

Continue to exercise, walk, swim, do yoga, whatever, but continue to move your body. Do your best to eliminate sugar and salt, and eat more fruits and vegetables. Laugh a lot, don't stay mad long and learn to salsa dance. Eliminate stress, surround yourself with people who are genuine and be thankful every day.

Call 911 if something doesn't feel right, and be aware of the symptoms of a heart attack, which can be different for women. Make sure you have EMERGENCY stored in your cell phone with a friend's name.

When I was in my 40s, I looked forward to being 50. Now that I'm here, I'm going to enjoy it -- and yes, I'm going to take control of my body and not let it control me. So the gloves are on, and I'm prepared for the fight of my life.

I welcome my 50s with a glass of Merlot, and I'm going dancing.

Antoinette Essa is a contributing correspondent for WTVR. She can be reached at .