Thursday, May 02, 2024

Another health update

Today, the second day of May, I’m on my 5th (one week course) day of a very potent course of antibiotics.

Swelling has subsided, thank God.

Tentative date for 2 root canals and 2 extractions is May 11, 2024.

But.

Before V day, I need to secure an endocrine and cardio clearance from my doctors.

Both my endocrinologist and cardiologist are on leave so I need to wait a few days more for my clearance.

For those not familiar with my medical history, I was officially diagnosed with Graves disease or a condition also known as hyperthyroidism in April 2021. A month after my mother day died from a rare form of cancer, I finally decided to go for a check up.

This decision came after months perhaps even a couple of years of prodding from hubby, sister dearest and even concerned friends who were alarmed and concerned with my drastic weight loss, my bulging eyes, my heart palpitations, my high anxiety levels and my terrible mood swings.

This condition meant I had to get my blood tested every 4 months to monitor my thyroid levels.

July 2021 was the start of my menopause phase.

So hyperthyroidism + menopause was and still is a terrible combination.

December 2022, I had uterine bleeding and it was discovered I had ovarian cysts, myomas which grew to the size of a grapefruit and a mild case of endometriosis.

I firmly believe my whole uterine mess was the result of my infertility journey. Those years of trying to conceive, with medical intervention. Follicle inducing medicines, almost daily injections for the thickening of uterine lining. I am sure they did more harm than good without any positive results. 

But, at least we tried!

March 2023, my OB GYN removed everything from my ovaries, my cervix, my fallopian tubes to my uterus. Radical total hysterectomy. Nothing left down there LOL

To my surprise, I had a relatively quick and painless recovery from that surgery.

Praise God.

From then on, all my levels fluctuated. My glucose, cholesterol, thyroid levels are all a mess. Dieting and exercise is the main ‘solution’ to gain any semblance of good health.

It is a constant struggle. Everything aches and nothing works properly. Belly fat, hot flashes, irritability, mood swings. I cannot truly say for sure if it is the hyperthyroidism or the menopause which is causing more havoc. They both seem to equally do their harm. Heh!

I had a short vacation break in Singapore from all my health woes last March 2024. It was a much welcome change of scenery after everything I went through for the past 3 almost 4 years.

Yet compared to past out of country trips, I noticed I got tired more easily, was totally dehydrated and there were days I couldn’t even walk a few steps from exhaustion.

Well such is life nowadays. Whenever I feel like giving up or I am too mentally depleted, my mind wanders to happy thoughts of my late, jolly, energetic, adorable mother. 

She, who at 80 years old was still full of stamina and energy and would pasyal for days during our past annual Yuletide trips in Hong Kong. 

How did she do it?  

Here I am at 55 years of age complaining about a thousand joint pains and aches.

How embarrassing!

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