I have done a bad job taking care of myself. I really do feel selfish when I stop to do things for me. However, I think I am finally beginning to get over it. I had a BIG wakeup call a few weeks ago. It came from my dear Randy. He woke up out of a sound sleep in the middle of the night thinking about.....my thyroid medication. Randy questioned me about my medication and was none to happy to hear that I hadn't taken it in a long time.....probably 2 years. I believe this was from the Lord....because this is not like Randy. He never thinks about stuff like that. I initially thought it had been about year since I had taken my medicine but after talking with my doctors office and scheduling an appointment I realized it has probably been closer to 2 years.
Shortly after I had Audrey my blood work was a mess. They thought it was probably from having so many babies so close together and waited a while. When things didn't improve they tested my thyroid. Turned out I had hyperthyroidism....so they killed my thyroid with iodine. Then I continued to be tested. Like most people who have their thyroid killed, I ended up having hypothyroidism. I was prescribed medication for that and we toyed with the medication to get the right dosage and I was given a year subscription.
Well, all was well.....until it came time for my 1 year checkup. Which I missed. Then I kept forgetting to reschedule. Then my doctor moved offices. I just never rescheduled....and I never really thought about it again. I thought I was fine. Ocationally I would have a passing thought about "I wonder if it matters that I'm not taking that medicine...." but that was about it.
I was busy raising a young family.
I was busy with life.
I was feeling okay.
It wasn't a priority.
So....then came Randy's revelation.
So I promptly scheduled an appointment with my doctor, who is a specialist and who also happens to be my beloved neighbor from my parents old house.....and he's getting ready to retire! But I got an appointment for the end of July.
HOWEVER....my father-in-law who is also a doctor....thought I needed to have blood work sooner so I could go to the appointment armed with that information....and could be ready for treatment.
ANYWAY....skip a lot of details.....and it turns out.....I have hypothyroidism....which is no surprise....BUT it is evidently pretty bad. Evidently numbers over 4 are consider hypothyroidism....mine are 67=not good.
Its actually REALLY bad.
It has been a wakeup call for me.
Several people have said they do not know how I've managed to function....and that I must feel horrid.
Hmmmm......I honestly don't know. I wouldn't describe myself as feeling horrid.
Exhausted...yes.
Moody....yes.
Freezing cold....yes.
In a fog....yes.
Somewhat down....yes.
Weight gain issues....yes.
Dry skin....yes.
Horrid....No.
However it may be a case of I don't realize what it is to feel good so I don't realize how bad I feel. I just wrote everything off as I'm at a busy stage of life and I should be tired.....Well we shall see. So I'm on medicine and still have my appointment scheduled with the specialist/neighbor. So the ball is rolling.
Randy asked today if I was feeling better. I've been on the medicine for about 3 days. No. I don't feel different but I would think with numbers as high as mine are that it will take a while to regulate. The one thing different is Hope. I do have hope. I hope that I will feel better......
This whole episode got me thinking about how I need to take better care of myself and how it's not selfish but necessary so that I can take care of my family and do the work the Lord has for me.
So I am resolving to take better care of myself.
And futhermore to try not to feel guilty about it.
PS. I am not interested in gym memberships, Paleo diets, or Shakes.....but I love you all!
PSS. I am interested in your prayers....your friendships.....and your encouragement!
Love,
Kim
WOW...it's so amazing how GOD will put something on your heart and in your thoughts. I'm glad you are getting this under control. With your heavy load, I know GOD was carrying you all the way. And as for the PS..me either, girlfriend. And I'm glad you posted it. Can be annoying :). Love you bunches.
ReplyDeleteSweet friend, I am so glad you have taken steps toward improved health. It's so important, and in the busy-nes of life it's easy to believe the lies that we can put our health issues off until our "time" comes. Of course, sometimes out "time" comes before we planned.
ReplyDeleteFor instance, I recently had a health situation, that if I had been pro-active and intentional about BEFORE things got out of control, I probably could have saved two cancelled trips, a week in bed and four weeks trying to recuperate. In an attempt to save a minor inconvenience of appointments and early prevention, I found myself smack dab in the middle of inconveniencing my husband, neighbors and friends!
Being intentional about the care and keeping of you isn't selfish! Its a gift to your whole family.
I am so grateful for God's protection of you while your numbers were so high, and that he used Randy to get your attention. I am going to pray that God will give you the strength, energy, endurance and passion in your goal to become healthier. I'm also going to pray that they find the right combo of thyroid meds to get you back on track.
You're not alone! And you are doing the best thing for you and your family! xoxo
(on a side note: once you have got this Hypo-thyroidism under control I just want to say "WATCH OUT WORLD!", because when you feel better there won't be any stopping ya!
Totally agree about putting off appointments...guess it's a normal mother thing. And time goes by so fast--"I'll do that next month" becomes years before you know it! Hope you feel a difference soon!
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