I received a phone call from a Social Club member the other day about elections for the new year beginning in September. He wanted to know if I would let my name stand for a Communications role. I had managed it comfortably before Covid but now it was scary to even consider. I put my decision off until next week. I wasn’t my usual self and haven’t been for a while. I am suffering from hypothyroidism.
Most people don’t realize what this problem is so I will try and explain it briefly. The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulates one’s metabolism. In fact, every cell in the body depends on the thyroid to supply the balance necessary to support a healthy function.
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland produces too few hormones. Low levels of thyroid hormones can cause a wide range of signs and symptoms from changes in personality to emotional functioning. The thyroid itself is a gland that sits in front of the neck.
One symptom I have for sure is fatigue. I feel tired out from the time I reluctantly get up in the morning. I haven’t had the energy to cut the grass on my lawn for a few years. Other chores, because of my minimal motivation, I use creative excuses to avoid them. Worse still is not wanting to interact socially. To not has become stressful but not as stressful as if I did. When I’m well again there is a lot of making up to do. Maybe I’ll invent “Ten Steps” like AA has.
Then there is my strength which has deserted me which is disconcerting and leading to aches and pains in one’s joints – at least in my case. Hypothyroidism is even linked to depression.
I sent an email to an executive of our Social Club and her reply cheered me up. She understood exactly what I am experiencing as a great friend had the same problem. She even mentioned that her friends dog that had to take the same medication for sluggishness. Some years ago, when our cat became so lethargic, it was put on the same meds as me by the veterinarian. The cat recovered nicely so maybe there’s hope for me.
When I met my new doctor for the first time and she asked how I felt, I said, “Terrible and I feel so hopeless.” After reviewing my whole chart, she said the only problem I really had was the hypothyroidism and furthermore she knew what it would take to fix it. But it will take time and I have to be patient.
I didn’t feel the need to tell her about leaving a hot water tap running all night using up all the hot water – not the first time either or wearing my slippers on my recent visit to Ottawa. Even the part when Pharma Plus calls with that voice message about a prescription for pickup: I can’t resist in calling her down to the lowest, cursing and swearing like a trooper. It makes me feel so much better. Sheila worries that what I say might be recorded. The ultimate timing was when a neighbour was in the house. She was shell-shocked. That time made my day.
Leaving the car running is another error in judgement, all night more than once . However I always manage to put it into park. I hate when I come in the back door and Sheila says , “Did you turn off the engine?” It’s not every time or even close to every time but still bugs me.
There are at least two positive things I feel good about. They are done alone though. I’ve now written a column every week for the Whitewater News for six years solid (300 columns at 750 words each – that’s a lot of bull).
The other is looking forward to each evening walk around 9 pm. Since early in January I’ve missed only four times, two because of extreme cold and two due to downpours of rain. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago that I saw another person outside when I was.
Those precious moments of walking alone in the darkness allows relaxation and clarity of mind for me and to think only positive thoughts.
