I got away without having any major medical issues for almost 45 years. I was pretty lucky I guess to get away with it for so long. 5 years ago during my annual check up, I had some blood work done. The Nurse Practitioner told me my calcium was elevated, but didn't say much about it. When I went back in for my "annual" check up again, (yes, it took me 5 years to get back), she called and told me my calcium was elevated still and even higher and suggested seeing my regular Dr. So, I called and made an appointment with Dr. McCrea. I got in the next day (Friday). He saw the reports and did a couple of follow up blood tests. He called me the next Tuesday and told me I needed to see a specialist, an endocrinologist, he told me he wanted me to see him within 2 weeks. I asked if I should be worried, and he said to not lose any sleep over it.
As I looked into what the deal with high calcium would be, I found that it most likely is hyperparathyroidism. Apparently we have 4 little parathyroids, the size of a grain of rice. All they do is regulate the calcium level in our body. One of my parathyroids was enlarged, like the size of a bean, and was producing too much calcium. It wouldn't shut off. Why is it bad to have too much calcium you ask? Well, if it is in my blood, it pulls the calcium out of my bones and makes them very brittle and can easily be broken. Some of the symptoms that go along with it, that I definitely had, were fatigue (I had no energy to do anything. I was in bed unless I absolutely had to do something. I hardly fixed dinner for 9 months), using the restroom often, not being able to think clearly, memory loss (I had to write lists for every single thing or I would forget), (boy, I kept telling Sam I thought I was literally going crazy because I couldn't think properly)
I needed surgery, so Dr. David Johnson, my endocrinologist, told me to get an ENT to do it. I went to Dr. Steven Butler. He took out the tonsils of the three kids. He was very informative, and told me surgery was what needed to happen and once we got that parathyroid out I would be cured. So, we set the date for August 19th. I was diagnosed in May/June, but July was way too busy to fit a surgery in. I had way too much going on :) I had a biopsy done on a nodule that Dr. Johnson found in my thyroid, but it wasn't cancerous thank goodness.
Mom told me she would come and stay with me for a week or two, however long she needed to be there to help me get back on my feet. Aliza told me she would use this time to pass off her YW project of cooking for 2 weeks.
I have been so blessed to have so many wonderful people help out where needed.
Sam brought me to the Surgery Center Monday morning, and after a couple of hours, I went back for surgery. It was the weirdest feeling. I lay down on the table, they put a mask over my nose, and the next thing I know I'm waking up looking at a wall. A nurse comes over to check on me, and I asked what time it was. I guess the surgery took about 2 hours. Sam came and sat with me for a while while I was still waking up, then left for a little while so I could sleep some more. The Surgery Center is outpatient, but since I had a certain surgery so close to my thorax, I needed to stay over night to make sure it didn't swell and close my airway. There was only one other patient that stayed the night. It was very quiet. My mom brought the girls in for a visit, which was fun. It was good to get some visitors. I think Kenny came to visit as well. Sam came back for a little while, then went home when it was time for me to sleep.
My mom came to pick me up early in the morning, I went home and got in bed. Dr. Butler said I shouldn't need too much down time, but it took me about a week to feel like I could walk around without being dizzy and tired. Amy, Paige, Karissa, Kyla, Jodi, and Bailey bought scarves from Runway Fashion. They were great. I really needed them to cover up that yucky scar.
Mom left the next Monday. I am so thankful for all she did. She was so patient with me and my family and was the biggest help. She even taught Aliza how to iron to help pass off some of her personal progress.
Hopefully this scar will go away and fade sooner than later. The Dr. said it will take 6 to 9 months. Sammy told me in an email to not hide the scar. Wear it loud and proud. We'll see about that.
or this? 
As much fun and relaxation we had, we were ready to come home and see our kids again. We sure missed them and glad we are home.
We may not have it all together...
I've thought of so many ways I could do this post. I was going to post the four different dinner/lunches that were given for the big 4 0. Our office luncheon, (the picture above), (thanks Amy for the announcement of how old I am), the family dinner on Sunday where Clint, Amy and kids, Jodi and Sedley, and Crystal came over for a yummy sloppy joe dinner. Mom was here to help make the dinner. I was so glad she was here to help celebrate the occasion. The luncheon on my birthday at Olive Garden with mom, Amy, Jodi, and Laurel (I got a great gag gift from Amy, a book called Sex after 40, open the book.....blank pages:). Then the dinner at Applebees with my little family later that evening, (Jackson and I got free ice cream sundaes).
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