Life through my Eyes

Thankful to be Alive!

Here's my story, well most of it. Sorry, it's a little long. Realizing that we have to watch the medications that we take because of Hashimoto's, they can cause severe side effects and repercussions. I need to tell this, so you get the full picture.

When my ribs dislocated in 2013 and injured my back, causing a tremendous amount of pain, the back doctors gave me four steroid shots. In the long run, they caused me other issues, "Cushing's Syndrome," and they (4 doctors) couldn't do anything for me, but recommend surgery. I refused to listen; something kept telling me, NO! I found another doctor who finally told me the truth about my back. He made me promise him NEVER to have back surgery because it would kill me. The injury was directly behind my heart. That realization hit me hard, very hard. So, I suffered from the pain for a very long time, for years matter of fact.

My back slowly healed, but along with the stress, my Hashimoto's decided to emerge gradually in 2016. By 2017 it had gone full-blown. During this time, doctors tried different medications to help me with all the issues. Because they didn't know about Hashimoto's and what it entails to your care, they prescribed dozens of nausea medications, and they all gave me cyst in a very private area, which I can say are very painful. I have discovered that peppermint helps me conquer it better than anything. Drugs are not always the answer, but on the other hand, we need some of them to survive like gluten-free supplements to maintain a healthy balance of nutrients. I have found that having brain fog doesn't help you remember to take your daily doses. A reminder daily pillbox helps, but only if you remember to fill it. Routines are so crucial to Hashimoto patients; I should say vital to us.

In 2018 I had suffered a muscle spasm in the wall around my heart. I thought I had a heart attack. Seeing a cardiologist and running some tests, I ended up on the operating table. For six years, my heart had been damaged and was getting worse day by day. He told me during the surgery that he had never seen a mangled artery like mine. Once he inserted the stent, I was able to breathe without pain and shortness of breath. He also told me that if I hadn't had the surgery that I might have had six months to live. Very overwhelming thought, isn't it?

Maintaining a balanced diet of your own and taking supplements that your body needs are vital to a healthy lifestyle. We are all different and have to find what works for ourselves. I don't do Keto or any of the other diets. I eat what I love, but I have created gluten-free versions, and I am starting to feel better. Now, to lose the weight that I've gained during this time. I used to be very active, and in these past seven years, I haven't done anything as in participating in any activities. Although I do eat or take something that I'm allergic to by accident, it doesn't help how my body reacts, the swelling, brain fog, and vision issues are sometimes overwhelming and cause anxiety attacks of sorts. I just can't get past my body hurting so much all the time. If I have a great day, I go overboard, getting things done that I need to do. Then I regret it for days, a very vicious cycle—a roller coaster of emotions that no one should ever have to deal with, especially alone. We learn to lean on God for comfort, knowledge, strength, and insanity.

Having groups that others suffer the same diseases, but somewhat different issues help and encourage us all that we are not alone in this.

I pray that all of us find that place where we can feel normal again and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

God bless you!