DEAR THYROID^TM

Thanks everyone! If you haven’t read today’s posts, please do. We kicked off the day with a beautiful Dear Thyroid Letter, followed by a wonderful and super snarky book review by Melissa Travis and a fabulous Thyme for Literary Healing: I just knew. I hope you’ll join the discussions.

xo

Was I Ever The Thyroid Next Door?

So Dear Thyroid I love to write you my letter. It’s 5:57PM and I just woke up from my afternoon siesta. I’m both glad and not glad to have this sleeping disorder. I’m 43 years old you know and life out there isn’t enthusiastically waiting for me. I’ve done my share in this life.

Comment of the day…

Linda McClure-Woodham says:

Helene, such heart wrenching words, albeit so very true.

Did you have bipolar before thyroid problems? I think the two horrible diseases became allies to wreck my body and make me as miserable as possible. Diagnosed with bipolar 18 yrs. ago, at age 42. Then came the quacks and a long list of other Disorders/syndromes/illnesses. I was hypo with goiter/Hashi’s/ nodules. Had a complete thyroidectomy in 2008, and foolishly thought I would be a new woman. Well, I was new, but not improved. My surgeon said Hashi’s put me at risk for lymphoma, so having the little darling removed was a no-brainer.

I am so sorry you had to endure cancer. This word from hell has taken so many lives of family and friends, and those blessed to go on living, as are you, struggle on.

I am still in bed- it is 11:25 a.m. on my side of the big pond, and I will get back under the covers when I finish this. I have a sick stomach, the urge to hurt myself in some way to lessen the other pain, fatigue, sadness and the energy of a dying blade of grass. Thank GOD for my angelic husband, and my furbabies. You write beautifully. I, too, was once able to make people say my words were good for them, or that I expressed ideas in a way they could not. I am still creative, but seldom have the energy or inclination to take pen or computer and tell my story. May you continue to grow in health and spirit. Sincerely, Linda McClure-Woodham USA, Tennessee.

Chronic Snarkopolist: My Internist recommended a book called, How Doctors Think by Jerome Groopman M.D.

This book discusses ways to raise questions with your doctor and ways to build relationships… and ways that your doctor might MISS important things… AND most importantly for people who are chronically ill

Thyme For Literary Healing: I Just Knew

I Just Knew, is a literary discussion I would love for us to have today about knowing something was/is awry and how you managed that emotional transaction:

Comment of the day…

Justi says:

1. What were your initial symptoms?

10 years ago I got vertigo. Then 3-7 times a year I started getting colds, and the like. Then my hair started thinning, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, heart palpitations, night sweats, dry skin and dry eyes. Severe depression. Fun stuff. Then my hair started premature graying. Gas, bloating and diarrhea were not my friends. Fatigue was my new buddy. Oh and mother nature, she was not very nice either. I begged for a hysterectomy thinking it would solve some of my problems.

2. Did you ignore it at first, thinking it would pass?

I went to the doctor religiously. My labs were all “fine”. I was told to sleep better, change jobs, reduce my stress…it’s being a mom, and getting older.

3. Did you feel like a freak?

110% all the time.

4. Were you scared?

I was too defeated, too tired, I felt too freakish to be afraid.

5. Did you start doing research? Did any of that research lead you down a path that now makes sense, or did it lead you astray?

I did research. I put together a simple complete list of ALL of my symptoms. Moved cross country, and went refused any lab work until I found the right doctor who took me seriously.

6. Did you immediately seek treatment or a diagnosis?

I found my doctor August 2009. I had a total thyroidectomy in Nov. 2009. They called 2 weeks later to tell me I “had” thyroid cancer, and Hashimotos.

7. How long did you know before seeking treatment?

I called it baptism by fire. Less than 100 days from start to finish.

Tags: Comment of the Day, community building, Dear Thyroid, graves disease support, hashimoto's disease support, Health Community, health support community, hyperthyroid support, hypothyroid support, literary community, literary support, thyroid cancer support, thyroid community, thyroid literary community, thyroid support community

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