Aunt Ruth recently went back to the town she grew up in to take a look back. I was reminded of the story my mother frequently told of her first experience going around the block.
She was the new girl in 5th grade, moving to the "big city" of a few thousand people. She had never lived anywhere with blocks to travel around. As she was telling her new friends that she didn't understand what they meant to "ride your bike around the block", they explained the simple process. You go to the end, turn left, go another length, turn left, and so on until the 4th turn when you will end up where you began.
So off she went. Side 1, 2, 3, 4--and she wasn't back where she started! So she retraced her steps, and explained it didn't work! After all going together, they discovered she lived on a 5 sided block! Actually, in Grand Ledge, MI there are 3, 4, and 5 sided blocks all over town!
click on the above link to view a map!
That story reminds me that what appears to be true isn't always reality. For the past several months, if not possibly over a year, I have not felt well or been myself. I attributed my multiple ailments to peri-menopause, doing too much, turning 40, etc... However, it was suggested this past fall that I get my thyroid checked. I became very discouraged--yet one more thing possibly wrong with me!
After testing, it has been discovered I have B-12 anemia and hypothyroidism. The interesting thing is that the B-12 problem is probably inherited from my Scandinavian descent. Apparently I'm missing an important enzyme in my stomach that will convert this vitamin from my food into my body. Hypothyroidism is very common. Many symptoms of both overlap each other! Things like emotional, cognitive, physical symptoms are all affected by these two things.
This explains what I've been dealing with--tachycardia, exhaustion, moods, anxiety, tremors, menstrual changes, unexplained weight gain, not thinking clearly, forgetfulness--
Thankfully I have a doctor who listened to me and connected the dots. Now we're working on the right combination of meds, but already I feel like a fog is lifting!
I'm hoping to be back to my old self soon. We're all ready for that to happen!
6 comments:
Oh man, I loved seeing the map of the city blocks in GL! :D How fun. Your poor mom, that must have been a bit frightening.
Wow, hyperthyroidism, eh? So glad they figured out what's ailing you and you can get stabalized.
Unfortunately, it's hypo, not hyper! If it were hyper, I wouldn't have gained 30 pounds in the last 18 months!! :(
Now I need to focus on an exercise regiment that I finally have the energy to maintain!
Shows how little I know about either. :) Oh, what a pain, an exercise regimen. Bleh.
But yay for energy!
Very insightful Shari. I often have problems with feeling exhausted and emotional... I wonder if there are any natural remedies?
Wow! Yay for getting this figured out, Shari. I have to take a B-12 pill every day because my level is abnormally low. So maybe you get some of it from the Hart side as well? I do hope you'll feel on top of the world sooner than you expect!
Praise God for this.
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