Hi fellow nice person.
Dropped Simon off at school this morning and stopped by the credit union to deposit a check. At the teller's counter was a framed sign that said,
hi fellow nice person
I love that. Seriously. How can you read that and not smile just a bit? I think it is a brilliant form of putting out there what you want to see in the world. I wonder if it has made an impact on how people treat the tellers? Or if a grouchy person has gone in and come out just a tad less grouchy?
A week ago Chris and I had an interaction with a very nice woman who made a pretty big impact on me. She is definitely on my nice person list.
We were at a local place that sells rocks and mulch and such (we are having our backyard landscaped). After looking around at all the different sorts of pavers we went into the office to talk about price and ask a couple of other questions. At the end of our conversation with the woman at the counter she asked me my name and said the following, "May I say something personal to you?"
Um, ok, thinking maybe she reads the magazine or has a child or relative with autism or wants to know what it is like being married to a politician.
"Sure." I said with a sideways glance over to Chris.
"It looks like your thyroid is enlarged."
First thought: um, what is my thyroid? And where do you see this? She touched her neck to show where it is and I touched mine (thinking I have always just had a big neck which Chris confirmed later on that was what he was thinking at that moment too). My response, "Oh, really?"
She went on to tell us about her mother and her daughter who have both had issues related to their thyroids. She talked about some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism and other related issues such as Graves Disease and thyroid cancer. She mentioned words like depression, weight gain, and fatigue and I found myself listening a bit closer.
I could tell that she was somewhat uncomfortable bringing this all up but that she felt she needed to. She was kind and genuine and even though it was strange, it did not feel intrusive.
"You should call your doctor and get it checked out." She said.
I told her that I really appreciated her bringing it up (even though I still really didn't know what she was talking about) and that I would get it checked out. I think I said something cliche along the lines, "better safe than sorry."
Chris and I said goodbye and walked out to the car. Of course I am totally touching my neck the whole time.
We get home and the first thing I do is jump on the computer and google information on enlarged thyroid.
I start reading about goiters and then go into the bathroom and look at my neck in the mirror. My thyroid is totally enlarged. Not noticeable enough to me as I looked at myself every morning and evening while brushing my teeth, but now that I was aware it was definitely there.
So I call my doctor. Get an appointment for that afternoon. And yep, she tells me, I definitely have an enlarged thyroid. I tell her the story of what brought me to this point. We laugh. She schedules an ultrasound to see what's happening with the enlargement and I go have my blood taken to check for hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
I call my mama. Of course I do. She tells me that my Grandmother has hypothyroidism and that she has taken medication for years and years. I call the doctor back and have that information added to the file.
The doctor called two nights ago to let me know that the blood test did show that I do have hypothyroidism (low functioning thyroid) and that I will need to take medication (and probably will for the duration of my life). Based on what she saw on the ultrasound results she is also sending me in for a couple more tests (iodine uptake scan) related to the growth issue and to figure out the underlying problem more clearly.
How long have I had this? Who knows? When I look at the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism, depression has been an issue for me for quite a few years now and I take medication to regulate that part of myself. Fatigue? Sure thing, who isn't tired these days? I am busy with a crazy schedule. Weight gain? Check. Irritability? I definitely have my moments...sometimes worse than others. In learning more about hypothyroidism it sounds like people can have any number or combination of symptoms ranging from barely noticeable to severe.
So why in the world am I sharing all this? Come to find out, hypothyroidism (not necessarily the actual enlargement of the thyroid - there are potentially two things going on here with me) is fairly common and often goes undiagnosed. It occurs more often in women than men. Maybe one of you out there will be helped by the information. I guess you could say I am paying it forward.
All of this because a nice woman at the rock yard decided to say something.
Wow, this all started because someone took the time to be concerned. I bet the lady would like to hear what you found it.
I hope they find the underlying cause. Your blog is such a resource.Best wishes, Jess
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I just had mine checked today! Pretty routine for me since I have had this issue for more 1/2 my life. I was lucky enough to have my mom catch it for me at 16, since she is a nurse! My brother has hypothyroidism as well. Pretty uncommon for men, from what I've seen. My meds changed while I was pregnant, but now that I am done being pregnant, need to confirm I can go back to my original dose! Hopefully the meds will give you more energy! Good luck to you!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Noticing the time at the bottom of the post, I get a tingle thinking that I might be the first person to read this this morning--as if you are speaking directly to me. And how rude would it be to listen so intently to your very personal story and then go on with my day without a comment, especially when I know that we would be best friends if only we had met, so here goes:
Every single day, Ali, you are inspiring to me. As a scrapbooker and artist--sure. As a mother--you bet. But it's more than that--it's how you live your life with such grace and giving and seemingly effortless strength and with such purpose.
God bless you. And may he bless you in further diagnosis and to help you feel better all around, so that there can be as much Ali-ness as possible floating around out in the world--we need all that we can get.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hey Ali,
Wow! That gave me goosebumps. It's amazing the things that come across you everyday. Just an everyday trip led to something you have been dealing with for years probably more noticeable since Simon was born? Stories like these shape/change our lives. Definately something to write about.
I sincerely hope things look up once the medication and tests come back it can be a bit scary but I know in my heart things are going to be so much better for you now. :) Here's to your health and your familys' as well. Thanks for keeping it real, Diana.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I love the sign :)
Reminds me of a sermon I saw on tv...by Joel Osteen.
He talked about being the thermostat...not the thermometer. Set the temperature (mood), don't let your body acclimate to another person's. LOVED that :)
So I keep telling my children to "be the thermostat"! :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thanks for posting about this, Ali. I'm a member of the club. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at 11 and Hashimoto's Disease at 20. When i was 21, I had another biopsy, which found pre-cancerous cells. Two months later, I had a thyroidectomy and I was found to have cancer.
I'm 28 now. What the Mayo Clinic website said about thyroid cancer is kind of alarmist, I think. The mortality rate for cancer is dependent on the size of the tumor - but guess what? Thyroid cancer is a slow moving disease.
Also, a high, high percentage of nodules found to have cancer are either papillary or follicular, which have excellent prognosis rates. My tumor was papillary, for example. Treatment made me feel awful and scared and I wouldn't wish thyroid cancer on anyone, but I'm glad I'm here today.
You probably won't need any of this advice. You're probably fine. My fingers are crossed that you'll have good test results going forward.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Ali -
I am so glad to hear that you are being proactive about this woman's comments. I sincerely think that we meet certain people for a reason, that some higher being is responsible for bringing about the interaction. Not sure if you see it the same way or not, but I think this woman crossed your life path for a reason other than selling you mulch.
Also, I have to tell you that this is the 3rd scrapbooking-related website or blog I have seen in the past week or two where people admit to depression or depression-related issues. They have all struck a chord with me for various reasons, and I have been inspired to talk to my doctor about what I have been experiencing in my own life recently. I just wanted to say that I admire your openness about your health concerns. It's people who openly share their personal experiences who make me feel better about sharing my own issues with my doctor.
Thank you, good luck, and keep us posted.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
It's amazing how sweet, concerned strangers are looking out for one another. Thank you for sharing your personal life---again tho so many of us feel we know you, (and yes, a lot of us have met you before too!) you're essentially a stranger to us too---but you're willing to help us out too---in so many ways!! Sending you hugs as you continue on this new health journey.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
You are in my prayers as you go on this health related journey, I hope you sent that woman a thank you card!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Hey Ali
I rarely ever leave comments on your blog. But am here every morning with my bagel and oj. Today I felt the need to comment and let you know that I have had the same thyroid problem as well. It's true many women have this and don't know. So thanks for lending your voice to this very common problem.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Wow! I am glad that she mentioned it to you.
It also runds in my family. Both my Grandmothers have been on Rx for years and years, my mom is on medication, my older sister is going to start taking it soon, and so far I have been lucky- but I am sure that I will need medication sooner or later.
I am glad that you have found out about it, and that you are on the way to getting things "regulated" :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
You're a powerhouse of inspiration and a blessing to me. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thank you for posting about hypothyroidism. My mom and two maternal aunts have it--all regulated with meds. The part of your post that really touched me is when you mentioned your depression and that you take meds for it. I can't begin to explain how that one statement made my day today...
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Wow. You know, my mom has been bugging me about getting my thyroid checked too. Good for you that you listened to the woman.
Maybe I'll get mine done too. (:
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I along with my mom and sister have hypothyroidism. We were all discovered around the same time. I've had it for 7 years now.
If anyone reads my post and learns one thing from it- it should be this. Please have your doctor do a yearly physical and full blood work. Sounds like a waste of time and money, but you would be surprised what people have and don't realize. I had a life threating illness that I didn't know because there are no symptoms but it was found by my very skilled doctor (at OHSU!) And because of it I'm ok today. Also have your cholesterol checked periodically too.
Good luck Ali. It feels like the end of the world, but you're not alone.
Julie
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I did not know how common this problem is until my sister was affected by it. And apparently we have a family history of it too.
How great it must feel to have someone reach out to you in a way that you never expected. On that note, I think I'll get my thyroid checked too. :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
What a great story! Thanks for sharing it. "Strangers" can have a huge positive impact on our lives. We all have to look out for each other. She was your angel that day!
It sounds like you were completely receptive to her thoughts and that will help her to continue to reach out when she thinks she should. I'm glad you followed up but sorry about your hypothyroidism. It runs in my family too so my doc keeps an eye on it. Thyroid problems really do a number on our sense of well-being, physical and emotional.
Take good care of yourself!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Wow! I agree with one poster that the woman would probably be pleased to hear you took her seriously and had it checked and are going to get the treatment you need.
I have all those symptoms you mentioned and have for years - weight gain, depression, extreme irritability, fatigue. But I thought the same as you - fatigue? I'm a working mom with two small children, who wouldn't be tired? And I am taking medication for the depression. The weight gain I chalked up to the depression. But recently, I was actively trying to lose weight, exercising for 30-60 minutes 5 times a week, following Weight Watchers to a T and couldn't lose weight to save my life. I had my thyroid checked at the suggestion of my OB/GYN and it came back okay. But a friend of mine with hypothyroidism told me that hers wasn't diagnosed with the standard TSH level tests, they had to specifically test her T4 levels to get her diagnosis. And TSH is the test my doctor did so perhaps mine was overlooked. I put off going back to the doctor about it, but now you're making me rethink that decision. I think I'll go back and request that my T4 levels also be tested. Thank you Ali! As always, your blog is an amazing source of information and knowledge!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I had something similar happen to me, but the person said, "You have a goiter." At first I was offended because I thought, "Goiters? Those are for old men? I'm 25!" But it turns out that I do have a slight thickening of the neck. Blood tests and exams have found nothing yet, but I keep getting it checked. Good for you for taking your health seriously.
And since other people are adding their advice, here's my two cents. While the internet can be a wonderful resource for all things (including health and medicine) please do not use it as a substitute for a dr. My dad is a family physician and says at least five times a day someone comes in waving a sheaf of papers telling him what is wrong with them. Drs. are not infallible (that's another post :) but they are trained to deal with the health issues of real people, while a computer is not. If you're going to seek advice and opinions online do them from a reputable sight with accreditation to an existing medical facility or organization. And now, I will step down from the soapbox!
Thanks, Ali - for sharing your life with us each day!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Thank You Fellow Nice Person! My daughter has all of those symptoms - I am emailing her right now about getting it checked.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
It's not a hard thing to deal with. You just take your daily pill and carry on :) It does contribute a lot to depression and irritability - I'm so familiar with this! I've had to take synthroid as long as I've had type I diabetes. It's nothing too life changing, you just have to make sure that you see the doctor on a regular basis. Good thing that lady caught it!
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Take care of yourself, Ali! Good for you for taking her concern seriously and getting it checked out. I was listening to the radio yesterday and there was a program on women and heart attack - it is amazing the number of women who have serious symptoms and do not go to the hospital. One of the big messages of the program, and I think your experience, is checking things out is always a good idea. One of my lessons from autism is: information is always good. It's not always what I want to hear, but knowing is always better than no knowing. Knowledge is power.
Take care, Susan Hessler.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 10 years ago and have been on medication ever since. It hasn't been very bad for me-it's become routine taking my pill each morning. I hope all works out well with you.
Sign in or sign up to comment.
I'm right there with you, Ali. I've had hypothyroidism for about 5 years now - noticed it because of weight gain, tiredness, etc. So nice of the lady to say something and nice of you to pay it forward! If only each person in the world could do that - it would be such a better place! :)
Sign in or sign up to comment.
Glad you caught it. God just puts people in our life that are there to do just that for us...be a fellow nice person.
Just have to have our eyes and ears open...which appears you always do.
Love your blog...enjoy it and learn from it often. I find it a blessing in my life.
I know someone else mentioned it...but your thyroid can make your cholesterol go wacky too so watch them both.
Blessings,
Holly
Sign in or sign up to comment.