1 year Post Surgery

I can't believe it's been a full year since my total thyroidectemy. It feels like a whole lifetime. In a way, I guess it has been. There have been so many changes in my life. Although the day to day can be stressful and exhausting, I really should not be complaining one bit. When I think how my life was, while battling to be in control of my body, my health, myself, compared to how I feel about it today, I couldn't be happier. 

My body has done well to adapt to not having a thyroid and I am thankful for that every morning. My scar is healing quite nicely and my mind is clearer today than it had been for years. 

I'm on a journey to find my nitch in life, and I'm sure I am on the right track. I am learning to live a more holistic lifestyle and am enjoying the ride. Every time I learn something new, I do think to myself, could I have done more to regulate or even heal my body naturally, instead of doing surgery? It's too late for me to go back, but I would encourage anyone looking to find what's right for them to research a more holistic way of healing their body. It's more than the physical, the emotional and mental needs to be in sync as well. This is difficult to achieve when you don't feel you know where to turn while being sick with something like hyperthyroidism. The mind is clouded, your emotions are all over the place, your body feels drastically different, not only everyday, but every hour. 

Find a support group, talk to your doctors, find someone in the holistic field that can give you guidance to living a while life without supplementing a natural healing process with western medical doctors' prescriptions. You need to do what is right for you, and although looking back I wish I had done more for myself in the healing process, I do not regret my decision to have my thyroid removed. I am better everyday for taking out that toxic gland. I am happier not having the weight of a decision to make anymore or the pressure to do something I am not ok with. My life is full of joy, without the dark cloud of that disease following my every move. My body is more in sync with my mind and heart, all around things are falling into place. There are bumps and ditches but such is the road of life. 

Some words of advice; Be grateful. Every day, be grateful for every thing that is happening to you. You may feel like the world is spinning out of control, but remember, everything happens for a reason. The trials you are put through, are what make you a better version of yourself. 

Stay strong and keep your circle small with the people that you love. 

Thank the people in your life for just being there. 

I Am grateful, for the journey I am on, for the trials I've been put through and for all the people in my life. Each one holds a place in my heart that can never be filled by anyone else. 

Love to you all,

Julie 

Last Labs

I am in disbelief at my most current levels. I know I have been off and not feeling that great, but these are just so out of range for me while being on meds, that I'm in shock.

My last labs done in Dec. 2012, before being put on 10mg. of Methimezole 1x a day, were not that much worse than they are now. In fact, TSH didn't change at all, T3 went up but both T4s have come down.

Most recent Labs showed...

That my levels are still high. I now have to take 10mg. of Methimezole every 8 hours in order to get my levels stable enough for surgery...and I have to go again for labs on April 22nd. I have my pre-admissions testing on the 23rd and medical clearance appointment with my GP on the 24th.
Phew! What a busy, exhausting and draining week that will probably be.

Less than 4 weeks to go till surgery and I am getting more anxious and excited, every day.

My allergies have been really bad the past few days causing my glands to swell. Hoping to get them under control soon!!

Surgery Consultation

I went to my surgery consultation on March 28th. I feel more confident that surgery is the right option for me. My Dr. is great, he's funny, had great mannerisms and I feel comfortable with his experience.
One of my best friends came with me and I know I wouldn't have been able to Absorb all the information had I been there alone. I knew most of what the Dr. spoke about from doing my own research. But now feel much better knowing that what I've read is accurate.

I have some appointments with my other doctors in preparation for the removal. I am on a beta blocker (which makes me feel different, not sure what it is, I just feel there's a change) and I had blood drawn yesterday to have my levels checked. I hope to get the results by next week.

The operation itself does not scare me at all, but the way I will feel afterwards is what is weighing on my mind. I have been aware if being so up and down for the past 3 1/2 years, that I don't know what healthy and "normal" should feel like. Will it be a more physical lightness and calm or will it be more emotional/mental? Or could it be both...? I know I've mentioned in past posts that I believe this is something I've had my entire life. The ups and downs correlate with many events in the past. So having consistent levels from now on will be a completely new experience that I am looking forward to with excitement, anticipation and nervousness.

I will update again when things are more concrete and closer to May 3rd, my surgery date.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers concerns and encouraging words.