Today mark's one year living with Graves Disease. One year of a long never ending road. My journey with Graves disease probably began over a year ago. After having my daughter I just never felt right. I was always tired and borderline felt like passing out on several occasions. Imagine using every ounce of energy in your body. If anything that's how it felt. In other words I was constantly drained. As a parent your constantly told that you're tired because of lack of sleep. But I was getting sleep, I was lucky because my daughter slept through the night at 3 months old. If it wasn't lack of sleep then what was it?
It wasn't until last year when things came to a head. I was highly stressed out and had so many changes in my life. That's when we knew for a fact something was wrong. I wasn't sleeping, my heart was racing and I was sweating which isn't normal for me. I don't usually sweat unless I'm working out. I just felt like I was dying, truly that's the best way I could describe it. I made an appt with my doctor to finally get some answers. Once my doctor saw me she knew I was not okay.
This pic was about a month before I got diagnosed. I can see the weight gain, the swelling in my neck and face. I wasn't okay and I can see that clearly in this picture.
I was sent to the lab in my doctor's office to get tests and blood work done. Within 2 days my doctor called me to come in. At that point my blood work was showing what appeared to be both Hashimotos and Graves Disease. It was baffling to my doctor who immediately referred me to an Endocrinologist. Unfortunately getting into an Endocrinologist can take a few weeks. It was about a month later that I finally got in. Once he looked over my blood work and thyroid ultrasound it was clear to him that I had what he called "Classic Graves Disease". For the next few months I would go in for blood work monthly so that my medication would be at the right dosage. I went from being hyperthyroid to hypothyroid from the medication. So my dose was backed down to bring me closer to normal. In that time my daughter attended preschool because I simply couldn't take care of her all day. I had no energy. There were days that all I could do was lay in bed and sleep.
When it came time for us to move back to California I was starting to feel better. I talked with my daughter's preschool teacher and I'll never forget what she said. When she was first put in preschool I needed it because I felt so sick and awful. One day I barely made it out to my car, I almost passed out in the parking lot. It's nearly bringing me to tears thinking about it. I thought no one else could see what I was going through. Turns out they saw it too. The preschool teacher asked me what I was going through. And I told her I had Graves disease but it's under control now. She sat me down and said "We could see you were sick but we we're to afraid to ask. We didn't want to upset you." Then she recalled seeing me walk to my car "I just remember you looked grey in color and you looked like you could barely make it to your car. I wanted to help you but I didn't want to upset you. I didn't want you to feel bad." I know the exact day she was talking about. I couldn't get on medication until I saw the Endocrinologist. So from when my doctor took blood work until I saw the Endocrinologist was about a month. I had to take Zofran every morning to help me not feel sick. Hearing her say she saw I was sick just spoke volumes to me. When you have an invisible illness it feels like people can't see what you go through. But they did.
It's not easier a year later. I haven't been to an Endocrinologist since early March. I had to switch doctors when we moved back to California. I'm working on seeing a new doctor and finally getting referred to an Endocrinologist here. I have good days and I have bad days. I have days where I feel like I have no energy to play with my daughter. I have days where I can get things done and I feel fine. It's a balancing act really. Graves disease is a long road, and I'm sure I'll share more as my journey goes along! Thank you to my family and friends who have been there for me. And most of all my Husband for being so understanding. He is such an amazing person. He helps me in anyway that he can and he truly has been what keeps me going. I know God has a plan for me having Graves disease and I'm not worried. I'll be okay, it's not going to be easy but I can do all things through Christ who gives me Strength! - Ashley
This pic is a year after the one above. After thyroid medication, a clean eating lifestyle, and going gluten free. I have lost weight in my face, neck and body. I feel healthier but still battle Graves disease symptoms.
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