Hi fellow nice person.
Tags: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.
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
224 comments
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at age 12, during a doctor's appointment - but not by my doctor! An intern was making rounds with him that day and just asked out of curiosity if my neck was always that large. Isn't that crazy?! The lifetime meds are no big deal. Just something to take each day like a vitamin. I will tell you that it's so important to stay on top of this...if your thyroid goes out of whack, your whole world follows! Best of luck...keep us posted!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hi Ali.
I understand what you are going through.
I have an underactive thyroid, which leaves me tired, overweight, shocking memory loss and depressed. I gained 20kgs right after having my first son. Where my mother has Graves Disease and has really enlarged eyes. People are not really aware of thyroid problems, and is very common. That lady is so wonderful to point that out to you. I hope you get the treatment you need soon. I am on the medication for the rest of my life, the only problem is that I am so forgetfull now I forget to take it :)
Goodluck with it all
Hugs
Kellie
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali - good for you, taking your health seriously. And good for that lady, mentioning a potential problem.
I was diagnosed with hypothyroid about 3 years ago (after a couple doctors missed it) and after getting on medication, became almost a "new" person. It's amazing how that little organ causes so much imbalance in your life/health when it is not working properly.
So glad to hear you're on the right track now. You'll notice a BIG difference over the next couple weeks, too! For the good!
Denise
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Be well, Ali! You will be in my prayers!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
That story is the VERY reason I never hesitate to discuss my financial history or my panic/anxiety disorder. You never know who you'll help just by being open.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali,
my daughter, who is a few years older than you, was diagnosed with a goiter when she was in elem. school. She's been on synthroid since. Both of my dogs have hypothyroidism and are on synthroid........ so, you're in good company! :))
good luck with the rest of your tests! scrappinJudy
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I'm it's been posted already, since like you said, hypothyroidism is so surprisingly common. My mom has had hypothyoidism most of my life, and through her, I've seen the whole spectrum of symptoms and severity. There are LOTS of tests and re-tests the first few years. Once things get more regulated, though, the whole "doctor" part of this becomes much less a part of your every day. Re-testing is important, but on the whole, it's a pretty livable thing. And, once everything is regulated, your whole world really does take a surprising upswing. There were things my mom dealt with for years (super dry skin, excessive hair loss, weird sleep patterns, changes in metabolism AND emotional issues) that all made changes for the better once the medication was well balanced.
So glad you found out about it.
Good luck. :)
Jessica
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali,
thank you for sharing not just scrapbooking or art realated things, but thank you, thank you for sharing your life with us. It has enriched me so much more.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hi Ali - Thank you for sharing something as personal as this with all of us. I am in the club along with so many of your fellow readers. I had a "huge" neck for most of my life. Many doctors commented on it, but no one ever tested me for hypothyroidism. After the birth of my youngest daughter (she is now 10) I became extremely ill. My weight dropped to 114 (I am 5'7"), I couldn't eat and hold it down, I was so weak I couldn't walk, I couldn't even stand in the shower...I had to sit on the floor of the tub along with struggling to raise my arm so I could wash my hair! It was scary! Finally when I went to the hospital because I was becoming extremely lethargic...they diagnosed me with Addison's Disease and hypothyroidism. At the time of my diagnosis my doctor told me that I was within 12 hours of a coma and that by the next morning I would have been dead! Wow...talk about wake up call!
Like many of you, I am on meds for the rest of my life...without them I would last about 2 weeks tops. With my meds I feel great and live a normal active life.
Thank God for people who take notice of us when we can't see it for ourselves (as you said, we see ourselves everyday and don't always notice the physical changes).
You are in my prayers, and I know that everything will be just fine.
Nicki
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Hi Fellow Nice Person, Ali. What an amazing story. Take care.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Yep, I got it too!!! I have been on the meds now for probably 10 years with no weird side effects or anything -- just part of the daily morning routine. They do bloodwork at first to regulate the dosage and that's kind of a pain because at first the dosage might change a bunch of times. It was nice of her to tell you -- even if kind of weird.
Take Care =)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
It always amazes me how God works in our lives! Take care. Sue
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I wanted to comment on the thyroid issue along with the 152 other people before me. I along with many other take a pill each morning for my thyroid. This bothered me to have to take a pill for the rest of my life and at one point played doctor and stopped. Now, I do not recommend this because I became tired and useless. I realized I have to be a grown up and take my med like a good girl. I took it as a sign of growing old. In the last few years, ( putting on my reading glasses ) I realize growing old is part of the cycle. Look at the Dove ads, with the beautiful older women. Oh, I love these pictures and to look in their eyes you dream of all they have endured in their live. As I reach up to take my morning pill.
Growing older gracefully,
Jerri
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Whoa, I just got goosebumps reading Tara's post. I SO wanted to say something to her ages ago, but felt like it would be rude, so I did'nt. I SURE hope she calls her doc now :)
Yup, Graves Disease here and it's been a nightmare, so I'm hyper-alert for the signs in other people. When I see them I mention every other symptom in the world but not the neck, because I *really* don't want to be rude. Evidently that's the part that will scare people enough to act and maybe I should go ahead and say it...
I find myself (post-RAI hypo these days) instructing people how to get the most benefit from their thyroid meds. So very many people have no idea that they are inhibiting the effectiveness of their meds through ignorance of the tiny details that make a world of difference.
Anyway, I'm glad that woman spoke up AND that you followed through with checking it out. You are going to feel SO MUCH BETTER! :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali--love you--you are so eloquent, generous, thoughtful, etc. I read your blog daily and find that your soulfulness just resonates with me totally. Your humanity inspires me and I thank you for blessing my life. I too have have hypothyroidism and am on synthroid. (I hear that you have to be careful not to take a generic brand of the thyroid meds because of the drug's stability and it will loose efficacy quickly. At least it's something to ask about.) I believe we cross paths with people for a reason and this woman definitely had a message for you. In fact, you are acting as my wake up call--for several weeks now I've been noticing that I am more sluggish than usual and feeling that it is taking too much effort to lift my legs and muscles. This is how I was first diagnosed--even walking became difficult and I was told I could have gone into a coma. So, thank you for sharing your story. I'm going to check it out. Your sharing is such a blessing. I'm praying that the test results are in your favor. Warm regards, Jillian
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ms. Edwards,
This is my first visit to your blog - glad I found it. Your work has always interested me, but I have never had the time to look at your works online. Interesting to read about your thyroid as I have the very same issue. My maternal grandma had it. It's scary at first, but the thyroid can be controlled.
I must say, you are lucky to have had someone mention your thyroid to you so that you can get to the issue quickly. Sometimes life is simply amazing in that respect.
Stay beautiful,
M...
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Welcome to a large group of us! I have hypo and so do three of my closest friends. It's fairly manageable-just don't forget to take it everyday or you'll have some side effects (my hair falls out--lovely). Anyway, I was in your CKU album class in Atlanta and so enjoyed it. Hope this diagnosis helps you as it did me--nice to have an explanation.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Wow! What a way to find out! I am glad that she said something thought! I seem to have all of those symptoms as well....perhaps I need to be checked as well. Keep us informed honey.
Heather
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I just want to say that I hope you call that lady and the rock place and tell her "thanks" and let her know that she was right! I'm in awe that she told you that and she was in deed RIGHT! It must have been very hard for her to do that to a total stranger. In many ways, I would say #1, she is an ANGEL sent on earth to do this mission, and #2, there is a reason her family had to suffer from this so she too could "pay it forward." :o)
All my best in gettting this regulated - and hopefully, it will bring a new world to you and your family!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
So much for grammer checking the above entry - It's suppose to say, "...call that lady AT the rock place." Ooops!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.