Woo hoo! I went to the endocrinologist today and all of my blood test results look good! I will still need check-ups every 6 weeks until it is stable. I am going to make some adjustments though.. My levels *are* good, but the doc seems to think I shouldn't need to be on the doses I am on, considering my height,weight, etc.
There has been this nagging feeling in my head that I may be gluten intolerant. Remember the whole 2 month period before my surgery when I didn't eat gluten? Well, I noticed my skin got better (no bumps) and I felt better. I have been paying close attention to how I feel when eating gluten (since surgery I went back to eating gluten). The bumps are back and my tummy is always making very loud rumbly noises.
My endo is pretty amazing and is very much a believer in trusting your gut (even if there is no test that has proven my gut feeling). I have told him since the beginning that I think I may be gluten intolerant - he never said "you are crazy" - he has been supportive. He approved a blood test for celiac last month (that came back negative), but agrees that blood tests don't always prove celiac/gluten intolerance. We agreed that (after the 1/2 marathon) I will go gluten-free (March 18th) and see how my blood tests change/stay the same. If I miraculously start absorbing more synthroid, iron, vitamin d - then it will be clear that I have a gluten intolerance. If everything remains the same, maybe it was all in my head.
Either way - I FEEL good and am curious to see how the gluten-free elimination "test" goes...
My Mom always said, you have to trust your gut...
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
I love this advice
I heard this song from the 90's for the first time on the radio today "Everybody's Free (to wear sunscreen)". It was written by Mary Schmich. I just love this advice.
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you
Sing
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss
Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…
what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either –
your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own..
Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen…"
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the class of ’99
If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now.
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth; oh nevermind; you will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you’ll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can’t grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked….You’re not as fat as you
imagine.
Don’t worry about the future; or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubblegum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind; the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing everyday that scares you
Sing
Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts, don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss
Don’t waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch
Don’t feel guilty if you don’t know what you want to do with your life…the most interesting people I know didn’t know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don’t.
Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll have children,maybe you won’t, maybe you’ll divorce at 40, maybe you’ll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary…
what ever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself either –
your choices are half chance, so are everybody else’s.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can…don’t be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it’s the greatest instrument you’ll ever own..
Dance…even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
Read the directions, even if you don’t follow them.
Do NOT read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they’ll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are the best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go,but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard; live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft.
Travel.
Accept certain inalienable truths, prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old, and when you do you’ll fantasize that when you were young prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.
Respect your elders.
Don’t expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you have a wealthy spouse; but you never know when either one might run out.
Don’t mess too much with your hair, or by the time you're 40, it will look 85.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it’s worth.
But trust me on the sunscreen…"
Pendulum Swing
Update:
It has been 7 months since my surgery. Still feeling good (which is important), but my thryoid levels have had a pendulum swing. I am currently hypothyroid trying to sort out the right synthroid levels.
I am off the calcium supplements and my levels are good. I have to take iron supplements and D3 (I think because this is winter time and I always get low iron in the winter)
From month 3-6 after surgery, I lost ALOT of hair. The endo was 99% sure this is from a combination of stress and hypothyroidism. It stopped exactly 6 months after surgery (which is exactly what my hair did post-pregnancy) - this tends to be common with stress, so doc was not concerned and my hair is back to normal (just growing in a little funny).
I am going to the Dr. monthly until my thyroid levels are back to normal. I am currently on 137mcg (started at 100, went up to 125, now at 137). There is a slight concern I have a gluten intolerance which is stopping me from absorbing the right amount of synthroid...but no panic yet :)
I still feel 100% better than being hyperthyroid...If it weren't for the bloodwork, I would think I was back to normal.
Oh - and my scar has faded so much - I don't think people notice it at all. I had an awesome surgeon!!
Overall - even though there is some sh*t to deal with, I really feel I made the right decision. A thyroidectomy might not be for everyone, but it was the best choice for me...
On a side note - I decided to train for a half marathon - I am on month 2 and feeling great (even ran 10miles yesterday!). This just goes to show how quickly the body can bounce back!
It has been 7 months since my surgery. Still feeling good (which is important), but my thryoid levels have had a pendulum swing. I am currently hypothyroid trying to sort out the right synthroid levels.
I am off the calcium supplements and my levels are good. I have to take iron supplements and D3 (I think because this is winter time and I always get low iron in the winter)
From month 3-6 after surgery, I lost ALOT of hair. The endo was 99% sure this is from a combination of stress and hypothyroidism. It stopped exactly 6 months after surgery (which is exactly what my hair did post-pregnancy) - this tends to be common with stress, so doc was not concerned and my hair is back to normal (just growing in a little funny).
I am going to the Dr. monthly until my thyroid levels are back to normal. I am currently on 137mcg (started at 100, went up to 125, now at 137). There is a slight concern I have a gluten intolerance which is stopping me from absorbing the right amount of synthroid...but no panic yet :)
I still feel 100% better than being hyperthyroid...If it weren't for the bloodwork, I would think I was back to normal.
Oh - and my scar has faded so much - I don't think people notice it at all. I had an awesome surgeon!!
Overall - even though there is some sh*t to deal with, I really feel I made the right decision. A thyroidectomy might not be for everyone, but it was the best choice for me...
On a side note - I decided to train for a half marathon - I am on month 2 and feeling great (even ran 10miles yesterday!). This just goes to show how quickly the body can bounce back!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Feeling Great - but still some progress to make..
Quick update: My thyroid levels are good - and I am feeling good on that front... Almost back to myself..
I have gained a little bit of weight (but not much) - and I am adjusting to not being able to eat everything I want (that was one perk of Graves disease)....
My calcium levels look good, but my doc just wants me to continue the supplements for a little while..
All-in-all positive..
I am feeling like it is almost time to get back to the whole point of this blog soon - finding something that makes me tick.... (sorry for the diversion, but I found it to be useful to get everything out in a blog :)..) - Thanks for bearing with me !
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Getting better, but mother nature isn't cooperating
I am feeling a lot better over the past few days - I would almost venture to say back to myself (maybe with a tinge of anxiety hanging around), but I cannot complain..
I went to the surgeon for my 1 week check-up and I am doing really well. The best news is that they found no parathyroid in the pathology report - meaning all four parathyroids are still in there!!! My left vocal cord is a little weak (which can happen), but she expects it will be fine by six weeks. In the meantime it is a good exercise of how to keep the kids in-line without using a stern or raised voice. I also have been told my voice is "sexy" because it sounds raspy and rock-star-ish :) The incision point is really not that bad..It is about an inch long and I really think it will heal well with minimal scarring...
In case you are curious - I will put pics up of the incision point at the bottom - day after surgery and 1.5 weeks after surgery. The small bandage is still on there - so it looks bigger than it actually is...but I just wanted to share in case anyone is going through something similar and wants to see the whole sha-bang..
Tomorrow I have a check-up with my new endocrinologist (I met him in the ER and he is basically the best Dr. I have met for follow-up and getting me back on my feet quickly - he even calls on weekends to check on me). I am hoping my calcium levels are good, but I assume they are because I feel good..
So health-wise I am getting better...
BUT
Mother nature on the other hand decided to throw a spanner in the works and took down a very large part of a tree in our front yards, which partially pulled out the power lines to our house (leaving electricity surging into our house, but not able to get back out), and preceded to land on our car. Then two surge protectors started melting and burning (and it looked like a fire was starting in my daughter's room)... and the power lines were dangling across our street in the pouring rain.
I first grabbed the brightest red chair and threw it in the middle of the street so no one would drive through the power lines (still live), I hit the fire button on our alarm and called 911.
The first things I grabbed when running out of the house? My dog, engagement and wedding ring, ring from my babies, My calcium pills and water. My mom remembered her car keys and we sat and waited what felt like an eternity for the fire department (it was only at most 5 minutes). They were great - looked through the house and we eventually found two surge protectors - one burnt to a crisp the other started.
I remember sitting thinking "Really, God, REALLY?!?"..but with some time and hindsight we were really lucky:
1) No one was hurt
2) We were home - probably stopped my house from catching on fire
3) The kids weren't home and caught up in a pretty stressful situation
4) Our car, house, etc received minimal damage
5) Fire Department, Electrician, Power company and cable company all came in a VERY timely matter. We had power within 6 hours - and cable the next morning. Note: I will have to write thank-you letters
6) We actually got to use our generator (our very practical gift to each other for last year's anniversary)
7) Less raking - I know seems petty, but, hey - you have to look on the bright side.
8) We know better now about surge protectors, etc - to keep our house safe in the future.
Ending on a good note: today (besides hearing a chainsaw to cut-up our tree out front) it feels like a normal day...I feel good, the weather has cooled down..and I feel like I am one step closer to getting back to myself... It is almost like it never happened...
Here are the images of post-op and 1.5 weeks later... I really don't feel like it is too bad... curious to see how it looks when the bandage falls off:
I went to the surgeon for my 1 week check-up and I am doing really well. The best news is that they found no parathyroid in the pathology report - meaning all four parathyroids are still in there!!! My left vocal cord is a little weak (which can happen), but she expects it will be fine by six weeks. In the meantime it is a good exercise of how to keep the kids in-line without using a stern or raised voice. I also have been told my voice is "sexy" because it sounds raspy and rock-star-ish :) The incision point is really not that bad..It is about an inch long and I really think it will heal well with minimal scarring...
In case you are curious - I will put pics up of the incision point at the bottom - day after surgery and 1.5 weeks after surgery. The small bandage is still on there - so it looks bigger than it actually is...but I just wanted to share in case anyone is going through something similar and wants to see the whole sha-bang..
Tomorrow I have a check-up with my new endocrinologist (I met him in the ER and he is basically the best Dr. I have met for follow-up and getting me back on my feet quickly - he even calls on weekends to check on me). I am hoping my calcium levels are good, but I assume they are because I feel good..
So health-wise I am getting better...
BUT
Mother nature on the other hand decided to throw a spanner in the works and took down a very large part of a tree in our front yards, which partially pulled out the power lines to our house (leaving electricity surging into our house, but not able to get back out), and preceded to land on our car. Then two surge protectors started melting and burning (and it looked like a fire was starting in my daughter's room)... and the power lines were dangling across our street in the pouring rain.I first grabbed the brightest red chair and threw it in the middle of the street so no one would drive through the power lines (still live), I hit the fire button on our alarm and called 911.
The first things I grabbed when running out of the house? My dog, engagement and wedding ring, ring from my babies, My calcium pills and water. My mom remembered her car keys and we sat and waited what felt like an eternity for the fire department (it was only at most 5 minutes). They were great - looked through the house and we eventually found two surge protectors - one burnt to a crisp the other started.
I remember sitting thinking "Really, God, REALLY?!?"..but with some time and hindsight we were really lucky:
1) No one was hurt
2) We were home - probably stopped my house from catching on fire
3) The kids weren't home and caught up in a pretty stressful situation
4) Our car, house, etc received minimal damage
5) Fire Department, Electrician, Power company and cable company all came in a VERY timely matter. We had power within 6 hours - and cable the next morning. Note: I will have to write thank-you letters
6) We actually got to use our generator (our very practical gift to each other for last year's anniversary)
7) Less raking - I know seems petty, but, hey - you have to look on the bright side.
8) We know better now about surge protectors, etc - to keep our house safe in the future.
Ending on a good note: today (besides hearing a chainsaw to cut-up our tree out front) it feels like a normal day...I feel good, the weather has cooled down..and I feel like I am one step closer to getting back to myself... It is almost like it never happened...
Here are the images of post-op and 1.5 weeks later... I really don't feel like it is too bad... curious to see how it looks when the bandage falls off:
 |
| Day After Surgery |
 |
| 1.5 weeks after surgery |
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Surgery and Complications
As if I should have expected anything different (considering I was the 1% of people allergic to the meds for Graves), I also had complications from surgery...
The surgery itself went well. I remember the surgical staff in good spirits, the anesthesia being amazing and waking up feeling groggy, but OK. My incision is actually pretty small..maybe an inch and the healing of the incision has been great..and has very little pain
My throat hurt (from the breathing tube), and my voice is still raspy (think Stevie Nicks).. I have trouble saying EE and AY...and I can't use a stern or loud deep voice "Kaya, Come" sounds very timid...but I am hoping that is OK longterm (the Surgeon is checking my vocal cords on Monday, but says they stayed in-tact during the surgery).
My PTH (Parathyroid hormone) levels dropped (they were either stunned or damaged during the surgery) and they control the calcium to your body, so they put me on calcium supplements and Vitamin D3 (simulates the parathyroid hormone), watched my levels, and I was discharged on Tuesday afternoon.
Background: Calcium is the most important mineral to your body - it controls your muscles - your heart is a muscle and if calcium is low, your heart stops working properly...
I was excited to be home and see the kids, but by Wednesday morning, I was feeling pretty bad, tingling, disoriented...kind of in a cloud (all signs of low calcium). I called my doc and they said to go to the ER to get my blood checked for calcium levels. After a longtime in the ER (and a few IVs of Calcium) I got admitted. They had to draw my blood every 4 hours, I had a few EKGs, I had patches all over me to monitor my heart rate and blood flow. Basically I was scared to death. I cried alot (anxiety is brought on by low calcium levels, too - Woo hoo [insert sarcastic tone]).
I had some more calcium IVs in the hospital along with Magnesium, a lot of back and forth with Dr's and nurses and eventually went on a liquid form of calcium for optimal absorption. The hospital stay was not fun, I had a bad roommate, a good roommate, and then a room to myself (ahhh). I had med students checking me out because I was a good sample case (that isn't common to see) and they were all interested to see how things were going with me. (I had a good party trick where you tap the side of my face and my lip twitched, fun).
I was in the hospital from Wednesday - Friday (and almost had to stay another night because they didn't give me a dose of calcium correctly for 12 hours because the computer said they couldn't -ughh). Basically, there were a lot of ups and downs and finally they released me on Friday.
Friday night I had anxiety from 11:30 - 6 at home ..I think this was really just my mind scared about my heart without the "security" of the hospital. I called my endo and she said "you have been through a lot - you had graves, surgery, your hormones are all over the place - you may just be anxious because of what you are going through..'' I agree with her..
Once I took a nap (and a xanax) I felt much better. I had dinner (my birthday dinner), played with the kids and have a glimpse at feeling better. Let's hope this path continues :)
What has been great, though is the support of my family and friends. My Mom is still here with me and my Dad and Sis came to visit, plus all the Facebook posts really made me feel good. My husband has been amazing, too. Needless to say I am feeling the love and that definitely helps.
There is still a journey for me to getting to 100%, but I have to remember to have patience....
The surgery itself went well. I remember the surgical staff in good spirits, the anesthesia being amazing and waking up feeling groggy, but OK. My incision is actually pretty small..maybe an inch and the healing of the incision has been great..and has very little pain
My throat hurt (from the breathing tube), and my voice is still raspy (think Stevie Nicks).. I have trouble saying EE and AY...and I can't use a stern or loud deep voice "Kaya, Come" sounds very timid...but I am hoping that is OK longterm (the Surgeon is checking my vocal cords on Monday, but says they stayed in-tact during the surgery).
My PTH (Parathyroid hormone) levels dropped (they were either stunned or damaged during the surgery) and they control the calcium to your body, so they put me on calcium supplements and Vitamin D3 (simulates the parathyroid hormone), watched my levels, and I was discharged on Tuesday afternoon.
Background: Calcium is the most important mineral to your body - it controls your muscles - your heart is a muscle and if calcium is low, your heart stops working properly...
I was excited to be home and see the kids, but by Wednesday morning, I was feeling pretty bad, tingling, disoriented...kind of in a cloud (all signs of low calcium). I called my doc and they said to go to the ER to get my blood checked for calcium levels. After a longtime in the ER (and a few IVs of Calcium) I got admitted. They had to draw my blood every 4 hours, I had a few EKGs, I had patches all over me to monitor my heart rate and blood flow. Basically I was scared to death. I cried alot (anxiety is brought on by low calcium levels, too - Woo hoo [insert sarcastic tone]).
I had some more calcium IVs in the hospital along with Magnesium, a lot of back and forth with Dr's and nurses and eventually went on a liquid form of calcium for optimal absorption. The hospital stay was not fun, I had a bad roommate, a good roommate, and then a room to myself (ahhh). I had med students checking me out because I was a good sample case (that isn't common to see) and they were all interested to see how things were going with me. (I had a good party trick where you tap the side of my face and my lip twitched, fun).
I was in the hospital from Wednesday - Friday (and almost had to stay another night because they didn't give me a dose of calcium correctly for 12 hours because the computer said they couldn't -ughh). Basically, there were a lot of ups and downs and finally they released me on Friday.
Friday night I had anxiety from 11:30 - 6 at home ..I think this was really just my mind scared about my heart without the "security" of the hospital. I called my endo and she said "you have been through a lot - you had graves, surgery, your hormones are all over the place - you may just be anxious because of what you are going through..'' I agree with her..
Once I took a nap (and a xanax) I felt much better. I had dinner (my birthday dinner), played with the kids and have a glimpse at feeling better. Let's hope this path continues :)
What has been great, though is the support of my family and friends. My Mom is still here with me and my Dad and Sis came to visit, plus all the Facebook posts really made me feel good. My husband has been amazing, too. Needless to say I am feeling the love and that definitely helps.
There is still a journey for me to getting to 100%, but I have to remember to have patience....
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Tomorrow's the big day...
I feel like I am in denial that surgery is tomorrow. I have no idea how I will feel after the surgery..but I do know I am nervous about going through with it tomorrow. I just keep trying to forget that it is happening, so that I calm my nerves. I still think it is the best decision for me....
I keep hearing about stories of people that have gone through this and the recovery was easier than expected. I hope I am in the boat too..
Wish me luck and keep me in your thoughts...
I keep hearing about stories of people that have gone through this and the recovery was easier than expected. I hope I am in the boat too..
Wish me luck and keep me in your thoughts...
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