You probably thought our blog had become inactive. I can't believe time has gotten away from me...well, yes I can. In late January we learned we had received another precious & priceless gift from God, another baby Yammy. My OB has been monitoring my thyroid and I am excited to share with you that God has healed my thyroid. My numbers are in the normal rang and getting better. Praise, God!! He is my healer.
I can't believe in just 3 months we will be meeting our newest member of our family, "little brother Yammy". This pregnancy has gone by faster than the last, that's for sure. I'm feeling great and my Home Detailing cleaning business is a success. God is so good and faithful!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Saliva Testing
This will be a quick-up date as I don't have much time before I go help Saralyn get ready for her dance class. I had my saliva test and to my surprise, my cortisol is off the chart. So much for my theory of my adrenals being fatigued. Quite the opposite. Dr. C put me on a supplement to help calm my adrenals to lower my cortisol, but it can take up to 6 months before you can see any results. I'm still feeling "like me", great and have the energy I need to care for my family and enjoy life too.
It was very interesting to learn that high cortisol can cause hypothyroid. Wish I could better understand how all these glands and hormones work for the good of the body.
It was very interesting to learn that high cortisol can cause hypothyroid. Wish I could better understand how all these glands and hormones work for the good of the body.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
God's Leading & Directing
I've always believed that everything happens for a reason, that God is guiding me through my journeys in life. Well, here is another great example of this. A few weeks ago I had called my Endocrinologist asking if he would do a saliva test to check my adrenal glands. I had found in my research that if my adrenal glands are fatigued, that could be why I was not able to tolerate the thyroid medicine. Has to do with how your body converts the t4 (thyroid meds) to T3 (your mother hormone, aka your metabolism). The short answer...he said "no", he would not run that test, but if after evaluating me through another office visit felt I had any symptoms that warrant a test on my adrenal glands, he would order an Adrenal Stimulation blood test. Okay, lets pause for a moment here. So I researched this test and it's where they draw your blood, then inject you with a synthetic hormone (HC something or other) then wait an hour and draw your blood again to see how your adrenals have been 'stimulated' by this hormone. Okay, so doesn't really sound so bad, right? WRONG. Let's think back to how my body reacted to both thyroid meds and now he would prefer to do this type of test instead of an unobtrusive saliva test where I hold a cotton tube under my tongue for 5 minutes. Really? It really is powering to have a voice in your health care. Please, if anyone out there is reading this, if you get 2 things out of me sharing my journey with you, I hope it's these: 1. God is good and God will walk you through what ever it is if you invite him and 2. It's your body, which God created (which is why #1 is very important).
So, I had an appointment with another doctor, family medicine, to get another opinion and continued to pray for God's direction as to whom I should see and what my body (i.e. thyroid) needs to be productive again and be healthy. In the meantime, on a Saturday I stopped in the health food store close to home and got to talking to the lady working there. And she gave me the name of a natural medicine doctor in Brentwood. I got his number from her and when I went home, I looked him up and he is "in network" for my insurance. I knew this had to be from God. So Monday I called and made an appointment to see him. While in his office I felt very peaceful and was pleased with the fact that he saw me as a whole person and not as a hypothyroid/Hashimoto's diagnose. Upon leaving, I used the restroom and there I saw the scripture "This is the day the Lord has made" framed on the wall. I give credit to God Almighty for guiding and directing me to this doctor. I thank God for not forsaking me, but walking with me through this journey. It's not only okay that I don't fit in 'their box', it's a blessing!!
So, I had an appointment with another doctor, family medicine, to get another opinion and continued to pray for God's direction as to whom I should see and what my body (i.e. thyroid) needs to be productive again and be healthy. In the meantime, on a Saturday I stopped in the health food store close to home and got to talking to the lady working there. And she gave me the name of a natural medicine doctor in Brentwood. I got his number from her and when I went home, I looked him up and he is "in network" for my insurance. I knew this had to be from God. So Monday I called and made an appointment to see him. While in his office I felt very peaceful and was pleased with the fact that he saw me as a whole person and not as a hypothyroid/Hashimoto's diagnose. Upon leaving, I used the restroom and there I saw the scripture "This is the day the Lord has made" framed on the wall. I give credit to God Almighty for guiding and directing me to this doctor. I thank God for not forsaking me, but walking with me through this journey. It's not only okay that I don't fit in 'their box', it's a blessing!!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Just don't fit in that box...
This has been a hard 3 months....
On July 26th I spoke to my new doctor whom I had not yet met, but had an appointment with on Aug 1st. I had gone to the lab at his office request to have my bloodwork done so he would have the results for us to discuss at my appointment. I remember this day, July 26th very well. It's Paul's birthday and the kids and I had plans to meet him at work then take him to lunch for his birthday. The news from my doctor hit me harder than it should, even looking back now in hindsight...like, really I got upset? Things could be so much worse! Anyway, it's my thyroid. He was concerned and wanted me to immediately fill the prescription he had already sent to my pharmacy and begin taking Synthroid .75 due to my TSH being 19 and should be below 5. So I cried, call Paul then detoured to the pharmacy before going to have lunch and took my first dose. The next day, Wednesday, the kids and I drove to GA to visit my mom, sister and brother-in-law and to celebrate my mom's birthday. Wednesday night I was up to 3am, could not go to sleep despite my exhaustion from the travel day and late hour visiting with my sister. Thursday I woke up after only having 4-5 hours of sleep and felt very jittery, like a high caffeine diet pill or something. I chose to not take the med until I saw my doctor the following Monday. By early afternoon, I started to feel like me again and was able to enjoy the rest of our visit. We drove home Saturday.
Sunday I picked up the voice mail left by my doctor from Friday that he had run another test on my blood and thyroid antibodies were present, meaning my immune system was attacking my thyroid, a condition called Hashimoto's. So, Sunday morning before breakfast, I took the medicine. Paul and I researched and found out all we could about Hashimoto's. Oh, let me back up to say I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS! In fact from March to this time, I had felt great...not needing that afternoon nap to survive the evening. Again, the insomnia came back; it would take me 1-2 hours to fall asleep, then I would wake up after only 3-4 hours of sleep. I met with my doctor on Monday Aug 1st with Paul at my side. I felt horrible: breathing was labored, jittery and wanted to crawl out of my skin, nauseous, and tired from being up since 4am that morning. He was like, no big deal, you are just hyper-sensitive to the medicine and we will need to start you on a lower dose then work up to where you need to be. He sent me home with Synthroid .50 and instructed me to cut them in half for the next 7 days, then move up to the full pill. Come back and see me in 4-6 weeks to see how things are going... THINGS DID NOT GO WELL AT ALL. This was on Monday...by Wednesday I was not completely in control of my thoughts and beginning to become more emotional (still with full blown insomnia). During the days I prayed for God to help me to cope so I could be somewhat of a mom for my children and be able to care for the little boy I keep 3 days of week. I cried over my Bible, seeking direction and help and healing. Thursday around 2:30 am I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. I began sobbing uncontrollably to the point I shook the bed and woke up Paul (who can and has slept through a screaming baby crying). He held me close and I finally calmed down and rested, but was not able to go back to sleep. An hour later, at 3:30 am, again I'm crying/sobbing uncontrollably and was beginning to have that "am I going crazy" feeling. So, at that point, Paul and I decided this was not the right medicine for me and I would not take any more. I spoke to my doctor Friday afternoon, he was baffled by my "extreme reaction" and referred me to an Endocrinologist.
My blood work was run again, TSH still high, around 21 but my Free T4 and Free T3 are just barely normal. The Endo decides to give me 4 weeks "off" doing/taking nothing thinking maybe I had gotten too much iodine in my system. I felt my best in those 4 weeks. I had more energy than before and was motivated and going to the YMCA several times a week. I just knew God had healed my thyroid and everything was back to normal. At my 4 week recheck, my TSH was 25, still climbing meaning my thyroid was not producing enough hormone, but yet my Free T3 was still at the same, on the low range of normal. He concluded that I definitely need thyroid hormone medicine and prescribed the lowest dose of Levothyroxin (generic to Synthroid).25. The average person taking this low of dose would probably notice nothing....Not ME. Within 4 hours of taking the first dose I began to feel extremely tired, like a dragging kind of tired. By the 4th day it interrupted my sleep. The 6th day I was so emotional, crying for no reason, I couldn't stand it. Again, Paul and I decided this was not the medicine for me. It's been another month since I've taken anything and I'm still feeling great (as long as I'm NOT taking the medicine that is suppose to make me feel better....)
I've had to give my self permission to be okay with not fitting into their BOX. My God doesn't fit in any box, He can heal me if he chooses to. He can also touch the lives of others through my experience and I'm praying every day that I am following HIS path on this journey and not my own. I feel God giving me the green light and opening doors for me to pursue seeing another doctor to get another take and perspective on what is going on with my thyroid and hoping to get a glimpse at my other glands as well to see if there is something related or causing these extreme reactions I've had to 2 different meds which I have several friends and family members taking and taking well, where they have improved their quality of life, verses taking it away as it did for me.
It is not only okay to not fit into their box, but it is Special! And I have come to hear a new voice in me through this experience...a very strong voice. One in which I knew I had for others, but had not used it for myself. I am a valuable and extraordinary person and God is leading me through.
On July 26th I spoke to my new doctor whom I had not yet met, but had an appointment with on Aug 1st. I had gone to the lab at his office request to have my bloodwork done so he would have the results for us to discuss at my appointment. I remember this day, July 26th very well. It's Paul's birthday and the kids and I had plans to meet him at work then take him to lunch for his birthday. The news from my doctor hit me harder than it should, even looking back now in hindsight...like, really I got upset? Things could be so much worse! Anyway, it's my thyroid. He was concerned and wanted me to immediately fill the prescription he had already sent to my pharmacy and begin taking Synthroid .75 due to my TSH being 19 and should be below 5. So I cried, call Paul then detoured to the pharmacy before going to have lunch and took my first dose. The next day, Wednesday, the kids and I drove to GA to visit my mom, sister and brother-in-law and to celebrate my mom's birthday. Wednesday night I was up to 3am, could not go to sleep despite my exhaustion from the travel day and late hour visiting with my sister. Thursday I woke up after only having 4-5 hours of sleep and felt very jittery, like a high caffeine diet pill or something. I chose to not take the med until I saw my doctor the following Monday. By early afternoon, I started to feel like me again and was able to enjoy the rest of our visit. We drove home Saturday.
Sunday I picked up the voice mail left by my doctor from Friday that he had run another test on my blood and thyroid antibodies were present, meaning my immune system was attacking my thyroid, a condition called Hashimoto's. So, Sunday morning before breakfast, I took the medicine. Paul and I researched and found out all we could about Hashimoto's. Oh, let me back up to say I HAVE NO SYMPTOMS! In fact from March to this time, I had felt great...not needing that afternoon nap to survive the evening. Again, the insomnia came back; it would take me 1-2 hours to fall asleep, then I would wake up after only 3-4 hours of sleep. I met with my doctor on Monday Aug 1st with Paul at my side. I felt horrible: breathing was labored, jittery and wanted to crawl out of my skin, nauseous, and tired from being up since 4am that morning. He was like, no big deal, you are just hyper-sensitive to the medicine and we will need to start you on a lower dose then work up to where you need to be. He sent me home with Synthroid .50 and instructed me to cut them in half for the next 7 days, then move up to the full pill. Come back and see me in 4-6 weeks to see how things are going... THINGS DID NOT GO WELL AT ALL. This was on Monday...by Wednesday I was not completely in control of my thoughts and beginning to become more emotional (still with full blown insomnia). During the days I prayed for God to help me to cope so I could be somewhat of a mom for my children and be able to care for the little boy I keep 3 days of week. I cried over my Bible, seeking direction and help and healing. Thursday around 2:30 am I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. I began sobbing uncontrollably to the point I shook the bed and woke up Paul (who can and has slept through a screaming baby crying). He held me close and I finally calmed down and rested, but was not able to go back to sleep. An hour later, at 3:30 am, again I'm crying/sobbing uncontrollably and was beginning to have that "am I going crazy" feeling. So, at that point, Paul and I decided this was not the right medicine for me and I would not take any more. I spoke to my doctor Friday afternoon, he was baffled by my "extreme reaction" and referred me to an Endocrinologist.
My blood work was run again, TSH still high, around 21 but my Free T4 and Free T3 are just barely normal. The Endo decides to give me 4 weeks "off" doing/taking nothing thinking maybe I had gotten too much iodine in my system. I felt my best in those 4 weeks. I had more energy than before and was motivated and going to the YMCA several times a week. I just knew God had healed my thyroid and everything was back to normal. At my 4 week recheck, my TSH was 25, still climbing meaning my thyroid was not producing enough hormone, but yet my Free T3 was still at the same, on the low range of normal. He concluded that I definitely need thyroid hormone medicine and prescribed the lowest dose of Levothyroxin (generic to Synthroid).25. The average person taking this low of dose would probably notice nothing....Not ME. Within 4 hours of taking the first dose I began to feel extremely tired, like a dragging kind of tired. By the 4th day it interrupted my sleep. The 6th day I was so emotional, crying for no reason, I couldn't stand it. Again, Paul and I decided this was not the medicine for me. It's been another month since I've taken anything and I'm still feeling great (as long as I'm NOT taking the medicine that is suppose to make me feel better....)
I've had to give my self permission to be okay with not fitting into their BOX. My God doesn't fit in any box, He can heal me if he chooses to. He can also touch the lives of others through my experience and I'm praying every day that I am following HIS path on this journey and not my own. I feel God giving me the green light and opening doors for me to pursue seeing another doctor to get another take and perspective on what is going on with my thyroid and hoping to get a glimpse at my other glands as well to see if there is something related or causing these extreme reactions I've had to 2 different meds which I have several friends and family members taking and taking well, where they have improved their quality of life, verses taking it away as it did for me.
It is not only okay to not fit into their box, but it is Special! And I have come to hear a new voice in me through this experience...a very strong voice. One in which I knew I had for others, but had not used it for myself. I am a valuable and extraordinary person and God is leading me through.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Saralyn's 3rd Birthday
Bubble Gum Birthday
Personalize unique party invitations at Shutterfly.com.
View the entire collection of cards.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Very Merry and White Christmas 2010
What a blessed Christmas and 2009, for that matter, we've had. I did not get to my Christmas letter this year. It seems I went from planning Shawn's 1st birthday to Thanksgiving (which by the way was Shawn's birthday this year) to opening Christmas presents and celebrating Jesus' birthday. Time has flown by once again. Not sure which season has gone by faster, 2009 being pregnant and having Shawn join our family the day before Thanksgiving, or this past year watching he and Saralyn grow, grow, grow.
Saralyn began taking ballet this summer and has continued on through the year. She loves, loves, loves it!! She shows us all her twirling moves and sings for us at home all the time. She is still attending pre-school at Belle Aire in Murfreesboro 2 days a week and is doing great. Shawn began crawling around 6 1/2 months old and then pulling up & traveling came soon after. He officially began walking at around 10months old. He was ready to stay on big Sis's heals. They play and get along really well. We are so blessed to have them both. What joy and pleasure they add to our family.
I've been blessed to be home with the kido's this past year and also began keeping our godson, Garrison 3 days a week in our home. He is now 6 months old and Shawn can not wait for him to become mobile so the two of them can play ball. Paul's work has been rough at times when he was working extra long hours and some weekends. Thankfully that has come to an end and he's back to his normal weekly routine. We both are serving at our church in Children's Ministry (KIDMO - 2nd & 3rd graders) on Saturday nights.
We are thankful for all our friends and family and hope you've had a very blessed Christmas season and here's to your New Year, 2011.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Saralyn loving on Shawn
Saralyn loves to hold Shawn. It's amazing to me how well she's taken to him. Here he looks almost as big as she it at only 3 monts of age.
Saralyn loving on her 'baby bro'
Saralyn loving on her 'baby bro'... I have it documented so she can never deny it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)