If you’ve been following me for a bit, you may remember that at the end of 2018 and beginning of 2019, I had some unusual symptoms and “lady parts issues” that kept me from living a normal day-to-day life — I couldn’t work out, I had a lot of pain that kept me from going for my hikes and on adventures with my kiddos and I felt like I was missing out. I waited WAY too long on those symptoms and spent unnecessary months in agony. 

Recap: When I finally went to the doctor, it was only because I had already had an annual check-up scheduled and I casually mentioned it to my doctor. After months of invasive tests and the threat of a hysterectomy, I was finally scheduled a hysteroscopy, which is (brace yourselves if you’re squeamish) a scraping or the uterine lining. During the procedure, it was discovered that I had fibroids, ovarian cysts *and* serious scarring from my C-sections that all contributed to my pain and symptoms. (Things have been much better since then).

And then, almost exactly a year later, I started to have different symptoms. It was November/December of 2019 and I was EXHAUSTED. And I wasn’t doing anything extra! I had no energy and found myself experiencing another round of bizarre symptoms. I went to my doctor, shared my concerns, had a physical done and then, the first of many scary moments in the next month or so: my doctor discovered that my throat area had a couple of large bumps (goiters, they’re called). The symptoms and discovery of large bumps led to a discussion of a lot of “what-could-it-be” ideas and brought me to a lab for immediate bloodwork.

Next was an ultrasound at the local hospital. I never knew you could have an ultrasound on your throat — did you? The results of the ultrasound showed two significant growths in my thyroid — one was large and likely made of liquid (which is better) and one was not as large but definitely a more solid mass.  I was then immediately booked to see an endocrinologist (someone who studies the endocrine system — thyroid, pancreas, stomach, etc — plus hormones related to that system). During the visit there, she confirmed the two growths, talked more about my symptoms (and asked about some new ones) and suggested we do a biopsy to rule out the “C-word” that we had now been mentioning as a possibility for two months. 

I spent those months in fear and deep sadness and I spent them alone. 

I’m so fortunate that my biopsy came back benign. I know how lucky I am. I also know that these growths in my thyroid, while somewhat common, are large and growing and I’ll need to monitor them every six months for possibly the rest of my adult life. I also run a higher risk of them becoming cancerous growths at some point, but hopefully our consistent monitoring will be on my side for that. I’ve spent two winters in a row living in fear and worry while also ignoring my health and my symptoms. I won’t ignore any longer. And I won’t do these big things alone. 

I beg of you:

– Follow your gut. You know your body better than anybody.

– Don’t give up if you feel people aren’t taking you seriously.

– Share your struggle with others. Don’t go through the big stuff alone. There is only one YOU.

And we need you.