O Thyroid! My Thyroid!
THYROID DISEASE
I move slowly, suspended in gel
Perhaps no one else except me can tell
A shadow of my former life,
a fading woman; mother; wife
My clock winds down, reflexes slow
Waning desire to come and go
As if I’m trapped in slower motion
Less vitality to face life’s growing commotion
At 20, a swelling in my throat;
At 30, weighed down by a heavy coat;
At 40, I begin to despair
At 50, I mourn my falling hair
The doctors tell me that I’m all right;
Though I can no longer go out at night
They tell me it’s all in my head;
When morning comes, I’m still in bed
They give me Prozac; I’m a mess,
Feeling that “I” am less and less
I know something’s wrong, I can’t do my best;
I’ve lost desire, lost my zest
They tell me just to exercise,
To trim my growing waist and thighs
The models from magazines laugh in my face
As I look at them, I see a trace
Of my former self, who I “could” be
If I could only find the key
“Unlock this door – this is not me!”
I demand to find my vitality
I am not old, my desire’s not cold;
I simply must find someone I trust
To walk with me on this lonely road;
To help relieve this heavy load
To help me find my former self,
So I can put this Prozac back on the shelf
So I can live my fullest life,
So I can be his fullest wife
So I can be their fullest mother;
Without wishing I could be another
There was a woman, too tired to care;
She laid on the couch, and simply stared
Her toddler wandered out the door;
And she, too tired to arise once more
The baby crawled out and down the hill;
But she was unable to find the will –
To arise and seek her precious child,
All because of Hypothyroid – Mild
Her child drowned in shallow water;
Because her doctor wouldn’t order
A standard bottle of thyroid pills;
She simply couldn’t find the will
The thyroid is a tiny gland;
Though small indeed it can command
The thyroid can command the will
Through a simple cream, or a combined pill
It can make the difference
In the quality of life;
Can turn a shadow back into a wife;
Can restore the will of a tired mother;
Struggling to care for her beloved other.
It can help one be her fullest self;
Help others put Prozac back on the shelf
When functioning well it can restore our health;
Help us create love and wealth
It’s because of finding the proper amount;
That I stand before you with blessings to count
Its’ the little meds that help me think;
That brought me back from a lonely brink
It’s cheap, and quickly can restore
The will to live in millions more
Why should so many suffer in pain,
When someone like you can help them gain –
their dignity, strength and self esteem
from a compounded solution or a cream?
I urge you to help them to repair
The damage to their skin and hair,
The exhaustion that has overtaken their life
The courage to be a full mother or wife
Fathers, brothers, and animals too
Can benefit from what we’re telling you
That thyroid is a simple cure
For millions who walk in through your door
Help them to take a different track;
To gain their strength and vitality back
Help them to know the simple truth;
They’ll consider you a sayer or sooth
It’s truly not a mystery,
Simply a matter of finding the key
Help them unlock the door to health;
And to put toxic medicines back on the shelf!
Presented by: Karilee Shames, PhD, RN (Added by Katie, and thyroid patient advocate). PCCA International Seminar. January 2003. www.feelingFFF.com
Tags: creative writing, Dear Thyroid, poetry, thyroid, thyroid community, Thyroid patient letters, thyroid patient writings, thyroid poems, Thyroid Poetry, thyroid support
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14 Responses to “O Thyroid! My Thyroid!”
Leave a Reply to Karilee Shames
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Thank you for sharing. This touched me deeply. I struggle daily with feeling like I am failing my family and not doing my wifely and motherly duties.
I can only mirror what Anna has already said Karilee, thank you, it touched me very deeply too.
You have written a beautiful touching poem.
Thank you for sharing, I am sorry for your pain and I care so much….sending a hug, love, Linny
I have been on this road and completely understand…thx
Great poem….can so relate 🙂
Thank you for this amazing poem. It really helps to know that others experience similar emotions. I hope you are doing well.
Donna xoxo
Great poem because I was told,I need to moving instead of in bed. I,then,endure trying to take my medication on daily basis and move like it is easy. I know how that feels in alot of ways.Thank you
All is I can say is wow..
Terrific poem Karilee! – You said it so eloquently in rhyme. Great job!
HD in Oregon
Wow, Karilee! What a way with words you have. Your poem touched me deeply and I know that so many people can relate.
I can so relate with this post having hashimoto’s for 34 years. Why do my friends think it is just a simple get up and exercise and I will be fine and lose the weight. No one realizes unless they live it how hard it is to be inside a body that has no actively functioning thyroid and only medicine controls the metabolism. Thank you for your post.
I am grateful to Katie for posting this poem that I wrote nearly 2 decades ago.
I am happy to tell you all that I am doing very well; yes, it has been a long and convoluted journey, but well worth the effort.
So much more to say but we have our 3rd thyroid book (Thyroid MindPower) due to the editor tomorrow!!! Stay tuned,
wishing each of you great success on your journey to health. Know that you never walk alone.
Love Karilee Shames (Thyroid Power, Feeling Fat Fuzzy or Frazzled books)
Karilee;
Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful poem. We’re so excited about your new book.
Everyone – Under books and advocacy, you can find links to Karilee’s website and books.
xo
Karilee,
Thanks for sharing this beautiful poem.
Lolly