Glad that's over.

I've been hesitant to talk a lot about my health issues of late. I seem to have been spending way too much time at the doctor's office since February. There is actually a funny story behind all the madness, and since I've pretty much got nothing better to do right now, I'm going to tell it; sorry you have to sit through it, though!

I've had hypothyroidism for years. That means that my thyroid does not produce enough hormone, and I have to take a pill every morning. I knew that I hadn't been feeling just right, and I knew that it had been a while since I had it checked, so I called my doctor's office and made an appointment to get some labs done. I've done that before... just labs to get the thing checked... no sit-down time with the doc. Well, when I got there, low and behold, the doc decides she wants to have a sit-down with me, since it's been a while. CRAP! I didn't want that, but oh, well - not a lot I can do about it at that point. So, when she comes in, I start telling her some of the things that are going on with me - all things that I feel can be traced back to my thyroid (you would really be amazed at how much that simple little organ and its hormones control!). She thinks it might be something more, and adds more tests to be done on the blood sample that is about to be taken. Then, she asks me what I dreaded hearing... "Are you getting your regular paps done?" And, I am ashamed to say, I flat out lied to her! I won't tell you how long it has been since I actually did have one done, but let's just say it's been a L.O.N.G. time. This is also the point where she asks me about my mamograms, and since I've already posted about that saga, I won't go into it again here.

Anyway, I leave her office feeling GUILTY as sin for lying, and so a few days later I decide to actually make an appointment with a gyno. I get in a week later, and have the deed done. The results came back just fine, but I did have an enlarged uterus, and we needed to find out why. The same day that I had the second mamogram done, I had an ultrasound done to see what was up with the uterus. The answer came back fibroids, and the decision was made to have to have a hysterectomy. The things were only going to get bigger and cause more problems until I went through menopause, and since I am only in my early 40's, who knows how long that would be.

Meanwhile, I hear back on some of the other bloodwork that was done at my original doc appt. My thyroid was off so we had to do some playing around with the meds. Also, one of my sugar levels was high... not too high, but inching up there, indicating a risk for diabetes. Double CRAP! I have family members with diabetes, and it is not a pretty disease. The good news was that I did not have full blown diabetic, and there was something I could still do to change it.

Starting in February, I completely changed the way I eat. I started trying to educate myself some on the disease, and what I could do to prevent it. I have tried to cut out as much sugar as I can from my diet, but it's not just about sugar. It's also about lower carbs, and higher fiber, and eating more whole grains. I have a sweet-tooth a mile long, and this has not been an easy thing to do. Do you know how many times a cupcake, brownie, cookie or candy came across my desk in that first week? It was insane, but I resisted. After a while it became easier to do. I also love potatoes, but I've cut way back on eating those as well. I no longer eat white rice or pasta, either - only brown rice and wheat pasta for me. I also gave up sodas. I only drink water and occassionally milk. Whole wheat breads and whole grains, fruits, more fresh veggies, leaner meats - those are the things I try to eat more of now. And I added excersice - wii fit and walking. One tip I came across that I loved was to park in the back of the parking lot when you go shopping... that way you are forced to walk more.

So, last week I had my hysterectomy done. As I weighed in before they took me back for surgery, I had lost a total of 23 pounds. I'll be honest, I am afraid to get on a scale this week. With all the yummy food that has been brought over, and no walking for me, I do not want to see what the scales say. I still have more weight that I would like to lose, but honestly, it has become more about being healthy than it has about being skinny.

I feel like I can finally say I am really back on the road to good health. I'm looking forward to getting back out and walking, or getting on the wii and playing. I am trying to be good and let my body heal from the surgery. I am bored to tears just sitting around "healing"! ha!!

I want to set a better example for my kids, and I think I am on the road to doing that. It feels good to be on this side of issues, rather than facing them all like I was a few months ago. I go back to the doc for more bloodwork in a few weeks, and I am confident that they will tell me my sugar levels are back to within normal ranges. Isn't it funny how wonderful "normal" can be?

Sorry to have posted such a novel... but like I said, I have nothing much to do right now other than sit and type. This whole thing started with my only wanting one simple blood test to check my thyroid! I didn't know it was going to turn into such a saga, but I guess I am glad it did. Isn't there a scripture about small and simple things...

:)