About two years ago I was watching some day time or morning talk show and one of the gals was talking about hypothyroidism.Now I am not one of those "looking for something wrong" with me kind of people...but she was listing off some stuff that I'd been dealing with. Most of it I chalked up to being a new mom of one then two little ones and stress. The only "new mom/stress" symptom I couldn't write off? FREEZING FEET! Even in the middle of sweaty hot summer weather I was putting on super thick slipper socks. I couldn't shake that thought that this just cannot be normal. And then I find this lump on my neck and I'm all "I know I've gained some extra weight and I know I've got some extra chunk but this isn't no chunk on my neck, it's a lump".
So I make a doctors appointment and I tell them about the show and how the symptoms sounded a lot like what I'm going through and how I have this lump. Well, the ran some blood work and it came back normal and great! Normal is what I want! But what about this lump? Nothing, just brushed off as some over dramatic mommy.
Fast forward six weeks after Macaroon was born and my O.B. is feeling my Thyroid and says "I'm not an expert in this but this feels swollen to me." THANK YOU VERY MUCH I KNEW I WAS NOT CRAZY. And oh crap! Time to take it to prayer (like I should have from the start) because Dear Lord WHY was my Thyroid swollen? More blood work and still normal and that is still good. Ultrasound however revealed a complex cyst with nodules. Not the kind of cyst or nodules generally associated with cancer however still a risk and still something they test for.
So surgery, taking out part of my body...I don't know about you but to me this is kind of a big deal and I wasn't so eager for it. Heck, I'm still not eager for it. The first ENT Specialist I went too I just didn't gel with and his bedside manner left a lot to be lacking and since this is my body I wanted a second opinion. Second Specialist, same answer but took the time to explain things to me. Guess who I've chosen to do the procedure?
In the mean time, I have been researching holistic ways to heal my thyroid. I'm a Bible believing girl and that verse that tells me to use all means to heal myself, well I'm going to do that. So in this healing process I've cut out gluten and currently have given up grains. Not because I'm on some "these food's are bad for you" kick, I don't know the science to it so I will not blanket statement that thought; but because in the short while I've done this I've seen a marked improvement in the symptoms I was having! And the couple of time I caved and ate those foods? Oh man I felt crummy!
I've come to realize that this is a journey not a quick trip and it's going to take some time to get my body healthy. Beyond the thyroid issue I have some extra pounds I'm dragging around as well as some attitudes and behaviors that need to change. Don't get me wrong, these changes have already come with plenty of "it's not fair" pity parties. But I've three amazing little kids who need there mommy healthy and a husband that I'm crazy about who need's me to be too. I'm not going to let them or myself down. I'm going to press on and be the person I know I am meant to be.
What steps are you taking toward a healthy you? Or have you had experience healing your thyroid naturally? I'd love to hear from you.
Got to buzz, I have some grain free cooking to do!
-K
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