Updated Medical News (#2)

Ok, so if you read my last note, you know that I was waiting on test results to tell me if my enlarged and poorly functioning thyroid was due to a genetic condition. Well, I went last Friday afternoon, and am very frustrated with what she had to say. (I had been really excitedly anticipating the appointment because I thought it would give me a feeling of resolution.) Instead of feeling like I have a piece of a resolution, or some sort of plan of action, I'm left with nothing.

First of all, the test results showed that my TSH was down to 4something now. That's good, because it's not ever supposed to be higher than 4 (the range is .4 to 4, and they want you to be like a 2), and I had started out this process at almost 8 (which is why I noticed all the typical hypothyroid symptoms--extreme sensitivity to cold, unexplained weight gain--like 20+ lbs, super fragile nails when mine had always been really strong, fatigue--like sleeping 12 hours a night and having no desire to do anything active, etc.) The fact that after one month of the Armour medication I had come down to 5something, and then another month had brought me down to 4something was good news. But, she said, not good enough. She switched me to Synthroid, and a higher dosage. (I have also noticed stronger nails and weight loss, in the last three weeks or so, but still suffer from fatigue.) She suggested that this one would be less irritating to my stomach and should kick my thyroid into gear enough to bring the TSH down to where they want it. So, that's good news. Kinda.

The other test result that was positive, er, negative, was no to diabetes. (Diabetes and hypothyroidism have some similar symptoms so she tested to make sure that wasn't a problem.) Thank God. Literally. Praise God that I don't have diabetes.

The third test result was testing my antibodies to see if I had the genetic Thyroid condition. It's called Hashimoto's disease for the hypothyroid end of the spectrum (and Grave's disease for the hyperthyroidism end). Well, they were negative. That seems like good news, right? I don't have the genetic disease causing my thyroid to enlarge, have nodules and stop working. HOWEVER, when I then asked her about other explanations she said "If it's not genetic, there's no way to determine what's causing your thyroid to under perform." I then asked if it could be related to a food allergy of some kind. (I had recently done tons of research about food allergies/intolerances/sensitivities/etc and had found lots of research tying them together.) I told her that I had found research to suggest that it could be a B12 deficiency or Iodine deficiency or something like a gluten intolerance. She looked me dead in the eye and said "you are not iodine deficient and if it's not the genetic disease, there's no way for anyone to tell what's causing it. You'll just need to take this pill every day for the rest of your life to make it function the way it's supposed to."

I wanted to scream! So, she basically told me that there's something pretty seriously wrong with me (if left unfixed, hypothyroidism can cause pretty serious problems), but that we don't know and will never know why it's gone wrong. I wanted to tell her that I thought she was full of **it, but I refrained. I was still in a lot of pain from another procedure I had done that morning (not material for public postings), so just wanted to go home.

The rest of the afternoon and weekend (and still am a little bit) I was furious. How can the medical profession (sorry Mitra and Sarah) only be concerned with fixing my symptoms? SOMETHING is causing my thyroid to not work correctly. I have flip-flopped between just being glad that I'm feeling better and thinking that taking a pill every morning isn't much of a price to pay for having strong nails again, etc. to just wanting to know why it isn't working right. If I fix the cause, I might not have to take the pill every day for the rest of my life. For example, if I have a gluten intolerance, my body could be so busy fighting the gluten I'm consuming that it can't keep up with getting my thyroid to work normally. Does that make sense? A food intolerance like that would also explain why I seem to feel just 'not well' more than normal people. I have headaches and weird muscle aches more than other people. It would also explain why I get sick more often and that when I do get sick it's often pretty bad. (I don't think I've ever had one of those colds where people have a drippy nose and can still function perfectly fine.) The theory is then, that if you eliminate whatever you are allergic to/have an intolerance to, your body will overall function better because it can stop fighting off that substance (like soy, corn, gluten, etc), and focus on fighting viruses and making itself function properly (i.e. my thyroid).

What surprised me is that Seth was even more mad than I was. He was such the protective husband! I had (and still have) a lot of restrictions based on the other procedure from Friday morning, so he was doing a great job of baby-ing me all weekend. And given the chance, he'd get on a soapbox about dr.s only wanting to fix the symptoms and not the cause and how he doesn't want me to give any more money to someone who wouldn't listen to me (I'm supposed to go back again in like a month for follow-up blood work and then another follow-up appointment to see if the TSH is continuing to respond positively--meaning going down.)

I'm thankful to have met someone here in Dallas who has recently gone through a similar enough experience that she's given me tons of research and her Dr.'s name, etc. (Thanks Lisa!) I appreciate everyone's thoughts/suggestions and prayers and general positive vibes. I promise to keep everyone informed of how the rest of the process plays out.

My Recent Medical news (#1)

Ok, so lots of people have been really supportive of me lately, and I haven't even been fully honest with everyone about all the medical stuff I've had going on. I wanted to write this note so that people would know as much as I know in hopes that prayers can be directed to the current issue at hand.

In mid-February, I went to the doctor for my regular physical. During the exam, she noticed that my thyroid was enlarged and had a nodule (aka bump) on it. (You can't see it if you just look at my neck, but I can feel its enlarged state as well as the nodule by pressing on my neck.) She ordered some more blood tests, and the results weren't good. My TSH (Thyroid Stimulation Hormone) was really high. The TSH range is something like .40 to 4.0. They ideally like you to be around 2. Mine was almost 8, so over double the high end of the range.

(A little background for those who don't know...: The TSH is produced by the pituitary gland to tell the thyroid how much of each different hormone to produce. So, my thyroid was essentially requiring twice as much as it should in order to produce 'normal' hormone levels.)

They immediately put me on a synthetic hormone pill every day in hopes of lowering my TSH level. They also ordered an ultrasound of my thyroid to get a better picture of its enlargement and the nodule.

The ultrasound didn't reveal much more than they already knew--that it was enlarged and had a nodule. The nodule was measured to be 1.3 cm. They only get 'concerned' about nodules over 1cm, so I was just over the cut-off. They referred me to a specialist--ENT.

I met with the ENT and he, after feeling my neck, recommended a CT Scan of both my head and neck (to also be able to see the pituitary). The CT Scan came back 'normal' according to the ENT, and so he recommended that I see an Endocrinologist (hormone specialist) because it hadn't reduced in size and the TSH only dropped to 5.something after being on the synthetic hormone for over a month. He compared my thyroid to a factory that isn't producing as much product as it needs to--sometimes the factory has to increase in size in order to get the higher level of output.

(It's important to note that up until the 'normal' CT Scan, the word "cancer" had been thrown around, so that's why I didn't really talk to people about it or tell the whole truth when I did talk about it. --I didn't want to put out any information that might end up not being true. I'm sorry if anyone feels like I've 'lied by omission.')

So, last week I met with the Endocrinologist, and after talking with her (she was the first Dr. to fully listen to the laundry list of 'symptoms' (aka weird things that have been going on with me lately)), she did another ultrasound (found several nodules), and ordered more blood work.

I had done some research about thyroid and brought my thoughts to her--b12, soy, iodine, etc. She tells me that she thinks I may have a hereditary thyroid condition. She compared it to Type 1 diabetes. They are predisposed to get it, and then something triggers it at some point, and they get it. Well, given all that I've gone through in the last year, she thinks I may have triggered it, and now it's causing all these problems. It's not like I ate something or didn't eat something or that anyone can point to anything specific as a trigger. She stated that it's likely cleared up by taking a stronger synthetic hormone every day for the rest of my life. I meet with her next week to go over the blood test results, and I really hope that her guess is confirmed. That might sound weird, but I'll taken anything at this point if it'll fix all the weird things that have been happening.

I'll keep you posted! Thanks for past, present, and future prayers!!!

Ps. I also wanted to say that I called my Dr. back in Atlanta (who I'd gone to for like 3 years) to talk over with her all that's going on. I just wanted someone's opinion who knew me for more than 20 seconds before giving their opinion. She knows my history and is wonderful. (Here's a HUGE plug for Dr. Vetter at Crawford/Long in midtown) She talked on the phone with me for a really long time and heard out all the symptoms I've been having and all the tests they've done, and what the latest 'guess' is. She agreed with the Endocrinologist and also told me that several people in her family have it, including her mom who's lived to be 70+, so that made me feel a lot better. Thanks Dr. Vetter!

Christmas letter 2008

Dear Friends & Family-                                  

Well, as much as 2007 seemed to be about blessings (promotions, new jobs, our wedding, etc.) for us, it seemed as though 2008 was just about the opposite! 2008 was just as busy as 2007, but in a very different way. God was working just as powerfully, but it's taken the year to go by for us to understand that.

In May 2008, after two years of working at Georgia Tech as a Hall Director, Sena quit her job. She was tired of living on campus (9+ years!) as well as the nights, weekends, and 50+ hour work weeks. So, it was time to make a change. The plan was to start job searching full time as soon as she was done, and that if by the end of May she didn't have a new job lined up, she'd start applying for 'less preferable' jobs. Well, by the end of May, she didn't have a job. Sena then started applying at businesses in their neighborhood—Michael's, Target, Starbucks, etc. However, come the middle of July, she was still unemployed and it seemed as though she would remain so for awhile...

Then, in mid-July, Seth was informed that he would be getting laid off from his company, Kurt Salmon Associates, after 7 years with them. The poor economy hits consulting companies first usually, so it was something that we should have seen coming. Never more than then was the poor economy evident to us... Suddenly, we were both unemployed.
Then, things started to turn around. John Stein, the Dean of Students at Georgia Tech, gave Sena a call. It was quite startling! While she was sitting at home, on the couch, in her pjs, Dean Stein called to offer her a job! It turned out that the Office of Student Integrity had a position to fill, but was unable to fill it permanently because of the state's budget cuts. They had only gotten permission to fill it temporarily, and so the Interim Judicial Coordinator position was filled! Sena started at the end of July, and the job was hers to keep until May 2009.

During the two weeks that Seth was without a job, some old colleagues of his called him to offer him a temporary position. We were both suddenly employed, but we were both temporary. The job was a consulting position that would have him in Omaha, Nebraska every week, Monday-Thursday for three months. During the 3 month period, Seth continued applying for jobs all over the Atlanta area and had multiple sets of interviews, but it was something completely unexpected that finally came through. A former co-worker of Seth's had forwarded his resume to a company in Dallas, TX, and that's the job that he got.

So, it seemed, God's plan for us was becoming clear. We were moving to Texas!  Since that piece has become clear, a lot was still in God's hand for Him to make happen. We were doubtful, at first, that all the pieces would be able to come together, but He has proven himself way bigger than any of our concerns, and so on Christmas Eve, we'll be moving ourselves to the great state of TX!

Sena doesn't have a job yet, and we don't have a place to live yet, but Seth's parents have been very gracious and have agreed to let us stay there as long as we need. We'll let you know when that changes, but for now, our address will be:
4325 Newton
The Colony, TX 75056

Thank you to everyone who helped us through our last few months (actually, the last year!). We couldn't have made it without the love and assistance from all of our wonderful friends and family.

Merry Christmas!

My ATL Tribute Ride

So, in continuing to cross Atlanta things off my list, I decided to do an Atlanta tribute ride. I had it all pictured in my head... driving the I285 loop with the GA sun shining down on me while listening to mixed tapes (ok, really it was cds, but 'mixed cds' just doesn't have the same ring to it) of songs that are meaningful to me in an "Atlanta way."

So, after burning two mixed cds Saturday night (yup, after getting over my creeped-outness from the Cabbage Patch place), I had it all planned out...

I got up Sunday morning and after putting out the Open House signs, I got in the car and headed to the interstate. Our house is only a few minutes from 85, so it wasn't long until the tunes were blaring, and I was getting sentimental. AND wishing that I had worn waterproof mascara.

Here's a little sample of the songs that played and the things I started thinking about and missing. Already.
-When You Say Nothing At All (Ronan Keating): my old apartment at Tech. specifically the living room where Seth proposed (during that song)
-Cupid Shuffle (Cupid): again, the living room in my old apartment where I practiced it over and over again while prepping for the wedding. More so, though, I was thinking about our wedding and how the dance floor was PACKED during that song.
-Mr. Brightside (Symp Vibes, but not with Scott Johnson as lead. boo.): our wedding, them singing (WITH Scott as lead!), and all of the concerts Seth and I have gone to over the years--including this last one where I got a shout-out!
-Shattered (OAR): Anne Marie. BFF.
-Wide Open Spaces (Dixie Chicks): It's my theme song. It's been my theme song. I played it when moving from Kzoo down here, and apparently need to still have it readily available cuz I'm moving again.
-Whatever You Like (Paper Trail): The election YouTube video from some school here in A-Town.
-Another Day Another Dollar (Tennessee Mountain Boys): Seth and I's honeymoon in the Smokey Mountains. Who knew this yankee girl could love me some bluegrass?
-So What/ U and Ur Hand (Pink): good songs to be listening to while driving the Buford connector curve at high speeds
-Georgia on my Mind (Ray Charles): obvious reasons, and the fact that it was played at our wedding
-Labels Or Love (Fergie): the fact that I got to see (and now own) one of the best movies of all time while living in one of the best cities of all time! A girl can never have enough SATC.
-Sweetest Mystery (Eddie Kirkland): Buckhead Church. All that I have to be thankful for. I'm more blessed than I can fathom.
-Bubbly (Colbie Cailat): it was Seth's ring on my phone for most of my time in ATL (but now it's 'strum' on the iPhone)
-The Longest Time (Billy Joel): the song that was blaring out of our car speakers when we got in the car after our wedding reception
-Great is Your Love (Breakaway Ministries): is a great worship song that Seth and I often sang on our way to church together
and finally...
-Oh, Atlanta (Alison Krauss): the lyrics are that she'll be coming back to Atlanta someday because she hears it calling to her. *sigh*

...

75 miles later and a ton of tears later, I feel better somehow. Relieved somehow. And yet, still extremely sad.

The Cabbage Patch Kids

So, since we know that we're for sure moving, I've created an "Atlanta to do list." And I've already started crossing things off the list! This past Saturday was a day alone to myself to get done the things that nobody would want to help me with (including Seth). I decided a long time ago that at some point, I would go up to the Cabbage Patch Factory place in Cleveland, GA to check it out. Well, as it turns out, Saturday was my time to do that.

After going to our final Blueprints study (where I mostly just collected information and tried not to smack the annoying guy next to me or fall off my chair--which is a whole other note), I headed to north Georgia.

It was a great drive as it was sunny and semi-warm outside. I had good cds with me, and really enjoyed the drive. I picked an interesting weekend to go up there because it was some sort of winter festival on their grounds, so one could buy boiled peanuts or homemade purses. I breezed through all of those stands as I was on a mission. I was going to see the birthplace of the Cabbage Patch dolls (CPDs for short). I didn't realize it would be literal.

They literally have a 'live' Cabbage Patch birth. Out of a Mother Cabbage. Under a Magic Tree. (The Magic Tree has 'crystals' on it that light up when Mother Cabbage is about to give birth.) Where Beebunnies sprinkle either blue or pink fairy dust to determine the doll's sex. And there's a Cabbage Patch Doctor there to help Mother Cabbage with delivery who makes some dumb comment about not cutting the cord well because it has an 'outie' belly button. "But then, it seems like all our kids have outies..." ha ha. And when I tell you I was creeped out, I'm under-estimating it.

I was half-expecting creepiness, but also half-expecting to learn more about how the guy came up with the doll idea, etc. But no. You walk in and see an old picture of him holding some of the originals (which look quite different than what we all picture when we think of CPDs). Then there are some preemies in real (though not plugged in) NICU incubator thingies, and then the next room is full of newborns in cribs, and then there's the worst room of all... the kids.

There's a school bus full of kids hanging out the windows, a classroom with a human, adult-sized doll sitting at a desk (she's the teacher, get it?), and there are kids sitting at lunch tables eating food. I'm telling you, I was in awe of how weirded out I was. The next room is where the Magic Tree is, and there are just all sorts of 'kids' for sale. BUT, there's a sign stating price tags make the kids nervous, so you have to ask one of the staff (all of whom are dressed like nurses or doctors) about adoption fees.

I took several pictures of the different kids, trying to capture 1. the creepy factor and 2. what I would look like if I were a CBD. Unfortunately, the camera battery died before I could capture the 'live' birth, so for all of you wishing you could see that for yourself, you'll have to go there to see it.

Seth and I always buy tree ornaments or magnets at places we travel to, so I bought the least creepy ornament I could find and then left as quickly as my feet would carry me. And then it was off back to Atlanta to continue checking things off my list...