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.
We should all be grateful for nice people! I hope you get a chance to go back and thank yours in person! I had hyperthyroidism as a teen, resulting in a partial thyroidectomy. From reading your comments, it sounds like thyroid problems are common!
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Ali,
Judging from the response here, there's not really much I can say that has not already been said. But this is the first time I've ever posted a comment (although I read your blog religiously) and I need to reach out to you to thank you for sharing such intimate parts of yourself. I have suffered depression, it was the blackest part of my life. But then I found scrapbooking and a very astute childnurse who asked me during routine child vaccinations "and how are YOU doing?" and I responded with the usual "Great. Tired, but that's to be expected". Then she asked again, "but how are you really?" and I blurted out crying. Seven months of darkness were suddenly in the spotlight and already, just by someone knowing I was not ok, it felt I was on the road to recovery. I consider this a most life-saving turning point. And reading about your depression is another. I think you lead such an inspiring, exciting and wholesome-full-of-goodness life, which is reflected so beautifully in your layouts and journalling. Yet here you are with this same problem I had. Maybe I can achieve great things too (especially inner peace and confidence) like you have, despite the obstacles. You are an inspiration. You make the world a better place. You fuel me up when I need to remember the positives in life. This is too mushy, but really, I hope you know how confident we all are that you will overcome this obstacle (hypothyroidism) too.
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Wow...incredible story. That woman thought it was important enough to step out of her comfort zone & into yours to try to be helpful. I'm glad you posted this because it reminds me that I took an online quiz a few years ago about hypothyroidism and I scored 82/100, for having it. I guess I better go to a doctor and get this checked out. Thanks for sharing this Ali. :) Hope you will feel improvements after beginning your medications. :) Take care of YOU! You're so valuable to so many people, most importantly to Chris & Simon.
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thks for sharing Ali, what a nice person that lady was.. I agree.... having met my share of not so nice ppl.. it's sure nice when u find a diamond isn't it? hugs
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Did you send her a nice thank you card? That must have been a bit weird but thank the lord she wasn't too uncomfortable to say something!
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All the nice people in the world seem to come here! :)
I too have hypothyroidism (hashimodo's disease.... cool name!) It was picked up by my sister's dr when I was asking him to sign some passport papers... wierd but there you go.
I hought I was a tad post-natal. It was so good to know there was a reason why I was all of the things I'd been.
Have to say, taking the meds each day is no biggy and now that it's all stable I don't notice a thing. Interesting side point - it is often pregnancy and the associated hormones that will trigger it in a woman. The things we do! :)
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Thanks for sharing...Although it's such personal information it's so important. I too had hypothyroidism a few years ago. Mine was post-partum hypothyroidism and the symptoms were so subtle (though they did have an impact on my life) that I'm sure it went on for quite a while before I thought to go to a doctor about them. My thyroid corrected itself though three years later I still get tested periodically. Good luck with your additional tests. I hope everything works out well and I hope the medication works for you.
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I literally got chills reading that.
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Wow. That's an amazing story.
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Hey girl you look after yourself ok.
Good luck with everything.
xoxo
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I have fibroids and heavy bleeding that comes with that... and my first gyno told me I would never have children and everything needs to come out. I was devastated and went for a 2nd opinion. My new doctor suggested blood tests and they came back hypothyroid. Since then I am taking levothyroxine to control it so I no longer feel 90 years old and the bleeding is normal so I won't need surgery. Best of all now that my periods are normal I will be able to have children if I choose to have them... all for having a little blood test. NEVER a bad idea to get full blood work twice a year.
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I was just thinking...my daughter who is three has also been diagnosed with hypothyroidism (after lots and lots of testing with all kinds of specialists--and after her thyroid tested normal at birth). Apparently it is quite unusual for such young children to be diagmosed but the consequences, if left untreated, could be rather severe. Just something to think about and consider possibly mentioning to your pediatrician.
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I'm not sure you're even reading the comments by this point, but I just wanted to say thank you.
My mom has hypothyroidism and I've been tested several times, with a negative outcome, but I've not believed it the last two times because I suffer with all the symptoms you listed, most notably depression and extreme fatigue. I think I need to have a more advanced test done because neither seems to be letting up, despite medication and my best efforts to get lots of sleep. I have an appointment with my doctor next Tuesday.
Also, just thanks for being yourself... despite all the pressure you're under -- and the scrutiny you sometimes face as a "celebrity." I'm one person who appreciates, truly and sincerely, the things that you share. It makes me feel less alone.
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Wow, how amazing that the lady was brave enough to say something to you!
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Ali, I'm glad you went in and had this checked out...I border on hypothyroidism...I would have your adrenals checked out as well. My naturopath says the are all related. I have a reverse cortisol issue where my cortisol levels are all out of whack depending on the time of day. I believe most of my issues right now are sleep related.
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I am awestruck not only at the candid nature of your sincere post, but also by the sheer number of comments, on and on, sharing thyroid issues. I was glued to my screen and read each and every one. My sister has hypothyroidism but I'm not aware of any other people who have it. I suspect, now after reading this, that those people just keep it to themselves.
I'm overwhelmed by the number of women who have to take a medication for the remainder of their lives. I cannot grasp this.
Your third poster summed up my feeling "how rude would it be to listen so intently to your very personal story and then go on with my day without a comment."
YOU are in my thoughts and prayers!
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Ali - this is proof that we are all connected and on that day, this woman (evidenced by her feeling uncomfortable) was given information that she had to share with you. Life altering information.
I too suffered for years with what my mom thought was anemia and chronic sinus problems (I had horrible headaches - verging on migrane strength when I was a teen) She would take me to many doctors appt. to be tested. In my 20's I had gotten health insurance through my first job and went to set up a relationship with a primary care doctor.I ended up with a wonderful diagnostician/doctor that ran a "full and complete" panel of blood tests and received a call later that day from the doctor herself. she said, "You have a prescription waiting at the pharmacy and I would like to see you first thing tomorrow to discuss your hypothyroidism." My head was spinning, what doctors call you themself about a blood test on the same day? My thy-what? My doctor said, I bet you have never had a full and complete blood panel run before. Most doctors dont do it.
I have been on medication now for 25 years. And when I have a medical check up, they check that first. Apparently your thyroid runs all other systems. All those symptoms - wow - who knew a little ol' thyroid was so powerful. Its the first thing we look at when I am not feeling well. Several years later, we discovered that I have high cholesteral. Yep, probably from having an engine that runs at a lower rate than the average body - and hereditary. WE have fixed that too. What a wake up call - I eat better and am very aware that I can not process foods like everyone else.
You know - I feel so much better taking the medication, walking everyday and knowing that I can participate by exercising, healthy diet, etc. But at least I know why I was so tired.
Thank you for sharing...another reason you are so awesome. Your ability to reach out and tell your stories and they do matter and affect people. You are not alone in the hypothyroid club that is for sure. I hope that many more women will see your blog post and get tested.
So say Ladies, be good consumers of your health care and ask for a full blood test to make sure your metabolism is on the right track.
You Rock Ali!
Sharon F.
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Wow Ali, I got chills reading this. I for one am so very glad that you DID get this checked out. I am not very sure how I would have reacted if some strange told me that but thank heaven for her. Have you called her to let her know that yes in deed that was something wrong??? Anyway Ali, I hope all turns out well and thank you so much for sharing with us and providing the links so we all can read up on it and be more informed for our family and own self. Wishing you many healthy and stress free days!!
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I am glad you found out when you did! Diagnosing thyroid disorders can take a while and often doesn't happen until you are suffering many more symptoms. I am currently in remission from Graves' Disease (and cycled once into Hashimoto's). I can send you many good links if you want to do some reading up on this. Finding the right level of medication is sometimes challenging so monitor your symptoms along with your levels. I know when I am "off" waayyy before anything shows up in bloodwork. "Normal range" is subjective!
Best of luck Ali!
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me too. :) when I was 23. Got it removed (papillary carcinoma) ...at OHSU...(I'm detecting a theme here...!) and no problems since then!
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I have it too. You will feel SO MUCH BETTER
on the meds. I take Levoxyl 1.25 mg and get checked every three months. Found out when I went in to have my cholesterol checked about four years ago. Dr. had a hunch! It explained a lot about how I'd been feeling. So happy you were tipped off!
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Hi Ali,
After reading today’s post, I was compelled to send a Thank you note.
Thank you for sharing your personal triumphs and obstacles with us.
Thank you for serving as an inspiration, day in and day out.
Thank you for reminding us what is important.
Thank you for being you.
Best wishes and know that you’re in our thoughts.
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WOW.
So glad someone cares enough about fellow human beings to say something. And that you checked. These things are easier to manage when you know about them!
Stay well!!
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Amazing!!
I agree with Kal above: That woman was an angel.
Going to request a full blood panel run at my physical next week. I have many of the symptoms mentioned...
Thanks for sharing Ali.
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Thanks for blogging about this. I think this is something more women need to be aware of. My 2 best friends just found out this summer that they both have hypothyroidism. It seems to be common (with the people that I know) after a person has had a baby. Don't ask me why. But it's important to know as well in case a woman plans on getting pregnant again b/c it could affect the baby. Needless to say I'm going to the dr next week and getting my thyroid tested. Your authenticity really makes your blog tops on my list! Thanks again!
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