THYROID MAMA CALLS A FAMILY MEETING

**Where’s my?

**Why didn’t you remind me?

**How come you are just now telling me?

**Did you forget to?

Thyroid suffering mothers, do these statements sound familiar?

There are two males in our household (my husband and teenage son) and before thyroid disease, I kept things in order, kept my boys in line - managed things well. You could even say that mama ran a tight ship. But now, that ship has sailed...annnndddd I’m totally OK with that.

But, I’ll have to admit, that immediately after my diagnosis, I wasn’t OK with the domiciliary disarray that ensued. At present, I’ve come to terms and realized that I can’t and shouldn’t be omnipotent-like to my brood. I am not the same as before, I’m not the same as before, I’m not the same as before... Ahhhh so liberating to say... acceptance is key.

It took me awhile to embrace this concept. Remember my other blog post about going crazy http://crazythyroidlady.blogspot.com/2012/09/go-crazy.html .  To remain sane, I had to go crazy Conserve, Restore Adding Zest to You.

After years of hearing those above phrases from my guys over and over again for many years, I felt it was time to call a family meeting:

"I used to juggle my life and yours with ease, but men, we’ve embarked on a new era. An era that focuses on the realization that undue stress is not ideal for yours truly. At one time I reveled in the all consuming management of this household, even though it may not have been healthy, I had it mastered. But now remembering just my stuff is almost a full-time job. I am asking you to take on more responsibilities around the house.

OK, so...I don’t know where it is, I’m not going to know where it is, I forgot to tell you...let’s get over it, I could try to remind you, but is this a risk you are willing to take? 

Well, now that we got this out of the way, you guys can make dinner while mama takes a nap. Love ya!"

In reality, this is probably how it should have been all along, after all, experts say giving your kids more responsibilities will build confidence and increase self-esteem. And it will help hubby feel like da man! I like to find as many positive as I can post-disease.

Crazy Thyroid Lady

Don't forget to get your copy of my thyroid book Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy

OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Hello my thyroid family,

KUDOS to any family member who’s been able to snare an awesome thyroid doctor, for those who haven’t - keep searching. Good luck!

In past blogs, you've read about my tumultuous relationship with my Endo. I was so close to divorcing her again, however, recent events have led me to want to stick with her a little longer. She accepts me now because I have given her the one thing she truly loves most, a non-thyroid ailing patient.

Allow me to explain…

It all started one day when my Endo had grown tired of me complaining about my symptoms(I must have received 10-12 sighs during that particular office visit). You know the type, the huge loud sighs, accompanied with her hands on her hips and some eye rolls...

Because I told her many of my symptoms were exacerbated around "that time" of the month, she promptly cut me off and said. “Well this all sounds period related, you should go see your gynecologist. “

Oh the joy when specialists pawn you off onto another? Cha Ching!

Meanwhile, at the Gyno, he heard my concerns and ran a battery of tests (without the sigh’s and eye rolls).

The tests showed my progesterone was off the charts "low", almost non-existent. Progesterone is nicknamed “The feel good hormone.” You mean there is a hormone that is supposed to make you feel good? I’ll take a few cases please!

In addition, my blood sugar was high...

Fast forward to my next Endo visit, she immediately asked how my appointment with my Gyno went. I told her about my progesterone (rather lack thereof), then I told her about blood sugar.

And…amazingly, it was like I turned into a shiny new toy for her to play with! She became somewhat giddy, it was weird. She began talking 100 miles an hour about my health and all the things I should do from here on out. She wanted me to come back to see her physician assistant, who is also a registered dietician to chart out a comprehensive dietary plan. She suggested exercises, recommended books and a few websites.

I could not believe this change in her attitude, (now I’m sighing)...But ya know, I can’t even get mad anymore. Still, I’m a little frustrated. Where were the exercise tips, the dietician, the passion to treat me when I gained 20 pounds after radio-active iodine treatment? The only response I received then was…”Are you sure you are taking your medicine at the right time each day.”

Thyroid sufferers, if we aren’t treated like hypochondriacs then we are treated like five-year olds!

But alas, I am an optimist! I know one day we pioneers will not have suffered in vain. The medical community will eventually know how to treat those of us afflicted with thyroid ailments. Our future looks bright. We will have "on-call" massage therapists to work on our achy joints, round the clock maid service to keep our houses clean, and in-home chefs to cook nutrient enriched but, tasty meals-all paid by insurance companies.

Sigh

Crazy Thyroid Lady