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Lost That Loving Feeling of One-ness
Dear Thyroid:
In December 2002, they took you away from me. I am so sorry if I neglected or failed you in any way. I just didn’t realize how much I needed you. I took your abilities for granted, and for that I am ashamed. Now I am left with a slight scar on my throat I can live with that, but what I miss most is the ability to feel “connected.” To move smoothly from thought to speech…to feel focused and able to meet the tasks of the day. To maintain control of my nerves and not burst into tears at the mere mention of anything.
I simply wanted to control my diet by removing all forms of sodium, in an attempt to eat more healthy and deter the migraines I inherited. Little did I know the long-range effects of totally removing and blocking a chemical like the various sodiums from my body. Granted, this has not been verified by all of my doctors, though some agreed it was a mistake. And so I unknowingly starved you of vital nutrients.
I miss being actively outgoing and athletic but am beginning to work back towards a state of well-being, even though I’m now 55. Too late, I realized that you ARE the most important gland in the body.
~Drie
Bio: I had a thyroidectomy in 2002 due to an extremely enlarged gland which grew down into my chest area. The funny thing was you couldn’t really tell I had an enlarged thyroid…no outward indication. The MRIs couldn’t even capture how big it was…it had grown out of the range of where the doctors would be looking. Diagnosis after removal: nothing pathologically wrong with my thyroid. I never experienced hyper, hypo, or para-thyroidism prior to my thyroidectomy. The thyroid was cutting off my breathing and had pressed on my Singer’s vocal chords so much that I went from a natural first soprano to a second alto (only years of training allow me to fiddle with my range now but I am still not comfortable singing anymore). Connect with Drie on Facebook
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19 Responses to “Lost That Loving Feeling of One-ness”
Leave a Reply to Lolly
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Drie;
Thank you for writing such a beautiful, honest letter and sharing so much of yourselves with us. You bring our community together and reminds us that we’re not alone.
Very proud of you.
Wishing you the best.
xo
Beautiful letter and touching
Elaine – thank you so much for connecting with Drie and expressing your wonderful sentiments. I agree. Her letter is beautifil; and very brave!
XO
Drie, that was simply put and beautifully expressed. Thank you for sharing that with us. Hugs!
Susan; Thank you SO MUCH for connecting with Drie and for reading her letter and lending such lovely, authentic support.
xo
Drie, has sharing your experience helped you in any way, emotionally or spiritually? Your letter resonates deeply with me. Thank you for your honesty.
☮ ♥
Drie,
What an experience! To have such a wild “weed” of a thyroid, but be “normal”. Too bad none of it could be saved to spare you the grief of replacement treatment.
I used to be a singer, too. I had no change in range, but my voice began to waver and “give out”, only to find out years later I had partial paralysis in one cord d/t pressure from the thyroid. Ah, well, that ship has sailed!
Thanks for sharing!
Monica;
I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those questions. Very insightful and super awesome. Your support is so appreciated.
xo
Robyn;
I had no idea you were a singer. I bet you were faaabulous.
Referencing being ‘normal’ and enduring a thyroidectomy is reminiscent of your article earlier this week regarding diagnosis and how some diseases are so difficult to diagnose. http://dearthyroid.org/going-for-the-throat-paging-doctor-house-part-ii/ – Great article.
Love the support.
Drie – Hang in. We’re all here for you.
xo
55 is not to old to start over. I am 63 and getting my life back. Never ever to late. I graduated from collage at 43. Good thing I had teenagers to help me with my homework
Yahoo, Elaine – Totally agreed. THe only time it’s every too late to start over is when you’re six-feet under (as my aunt used to say), otherwise, you can always begin again and reinvent yourself.
Beautiful comment, kid.
xo
When I was contemplating going back to school to get my veterinary degree, I lamented to my Nana, “But I’ll be 30 when I graduate!”
Her answer: “You’re gonna be 30 anyway!”
So true. It’s a brand new world every day, and it’s never to late to try the next thing!
I loved your letter. It touched my heart.
What an insightful letter and so true for many of us. we’re all having to travel on our own paths but hopefully supporting one another along the way as only someone with thyroid problems can understand how hard it can be to live with. I’ve just turned 56 and am starting on a degree course. it’s never to late to ‘have a good’ love and hugs to all thyroidians! x
Drie, I appreciate you sharing your story and I’m sorry your thyroid had to all come out. I did not know it could grow like that.
I also have to echo “it’s never too late” I am 50 and feel like I am just now starting to live. 50s sounds old but I don’t feel old in my heart and certainly not my spirit. This disease had my spirit in the gutter for a time but no more. It does come back and as sad as it is to have to say goodbye to part of us, whether it be the thyroid or other part of our life, we are a strong bunch and maybe, just maybe there will be something exciting waiting for us while we “reinvent the wheel”.
I sure hope so any way!
🙂
Lori
That was a beautiful letter, you capture so many feelings that are hard to explain to others, who don’t know or want to understand how important the thyroid glad is, I also didn’t feel complete at the beginning and even after 5 years sometimes I feel really off. But I have learn with a lot of medication and the support of my family and friends to feel better. I have learn that is a long process, but best off all that I am not alone and neither are you. Keep on charging, you are an inspiration
Drie, I absolutely love your letter. You’ve put words to what so many of us feel. Thank you for sharing with us!
xoxo,
Joanna
WOW – WOW – WOW
The outpouring of love and support for Drie has truly overwhelmed me. I’m in awe of our thyamily.
Every time you/we connect with each other, we solidify our strength as a community and commitment to each other. And by speaking up and out about your/our own stories, we give voice to our respective diseases.
SO PROUD OF YOUSE, I COULD SCREAM.
A million thank yous.
In gratitude for life, yo
Katie
Drie,
Beautiful letter I felt every word of it and how you felt.
Lolly