The Martha Project

I’m not a sickly person.  I catch about 2 colds a year and about every 3rd or 4th one will require me going to the Dr. because it turns into a sinus infection.

It’s so predictable, it’s silly.My kids aren’t sick that much either.  My older son has only been on antibiotics once in 10 years.

A few weeks ago my younger son caught a wicked virus.  It was sort of uncharted territory for me.  I’m not used to a kid having a fever for 4 days.   His turned into a sinus/ear mess and soon enough it cycled through my husband and then finally me.  Braden missed it once again.

That kid.

Anyways, I took that virus to the water park over spring break and by the time I got back I was a full blown ear infection mess.  I hadn’t had an ear infection like that since I was a child, and at that time I had tubes put in my ears.

Then in a moment of pain and desperation, I put coconut oil in my ear.  I explained later to the nurse that Pinterest is very convincing and that I was also told to put olive oil in my ear as well but since I wasn’t trying to build a salad, I stayed with one oil.

 

 

(Disclaimer: I’m not a Dr. I don’t even play one on the internet unless you count googling all the medical conditions that I have or will have at some point so don’t be putting stuff in your ear.)

I leave the Dr. with my antibiotics, stock up on 50% off Easter candy while I’m at the pharmacist and go on my way.

A few days pass and I walk past this mirror in my kitchen.  The way the light is coming in shadows this bump on the front of my throat.

What. Is. That.

I touch it and when I do I realize that it’s my thyroid gland that is now swollen out of my collar bones.

That’s not normal and it’s totally ruining my neckline for a scoop neck dress.

I call the Dr and make an appointment for the next day.

Until then, I play Dr. google because who doesn’t do that?

I am not jumping to any conclusions about anything I’ve read but there are a lot of dots that sure add up for myself.

I found a picture of myself from last summer and sure enough, it was swollen there too.

How long have I had this?  I don’t know but I do know that it’s a common  issue for women and it is treatable.

Something I haven’t discussed before and unless you really stalk me, you wouldn’t know that about a year ago I realized I have a high sensitivity to gluten.  It turns out there is a link with gluten sensitivity and thyroid issues.

And that?  I did not know.

Now I have blood tests, food allergy tests, celiac panel  tests, and a thyroid ultrasound that need to be done to determine what exactly is going on and how to treat it.

I write this because Thyroid issues are often overlooked by women.  Many of the symptoms are that of just being a busy mom.

I know that it’s not something I even realized without seeing it stick out of my throat, and I have a family history of it.

So if you’re a woman between 30 and 50, have had children, please read the symptoms.

If you have many of them, don’t discount them with “I’m a mom, of course I have these things”  like I have been doing.

It may be more.

And as an added bonus?  Once I’m treated I’m totally going to drop those last 20 lbs that came out of  nowhere right?!

WHOO HOOO.