Over a year ago, I walked past a mirror and noticed a significant bulging of my neck. After mentally freaking out, I called the Dr. to get in the next day.
I was at the Dr. the week before for bronchitis/sinus infection so maybe the virus turned into something a little more neck focused. Is that even a thing? Let’s google that.
I self-diagnosed that my thyroid was enlarged and it turns out it was 3 times the size of a normal sized one.
Oh.
That turned into a host of tests and diagnosis from Celiac to Hashimoto’s. I now have many blood draws a year due to having 3/4ths of my thyroid out in June.
No cancer, thank goodness.
Before I had any diagnosis, I gained about 25lbs in 15 months’ time. Gaining weight due to a bum thyroid is no joke people. Having issues with gluten only added onto the already perfect storm of weight gain. Inflammation is now my enemy #1.
To say that I was not functioning very well during that time is an understatement. I remember when my endocrinologist looked at my numbers and said
“You know you’ve only been functioning with 40% brain power.”
That may be surprising for those who know me. I was a high functioning 40% for sure, but I can tell you that I wasn’t all right. For a long time, I could tell that my brain was just not working. I would be unable to process thoughts or forget words of items that were right in front of me. I was sleeping up to 14 hours a day. The 3:00pm crash time was like I was in a coma.
Since diagnosis, proper treatment, a surgery, and a pretty radical diet overhaul, I have lost that weight. And that’s good. I’m not complaining and honestly hope it continues. All indications point to that happening. It’s sloooowwwww, but it’s happening.
And my brain and overall health? So good.
My auto immune disease is in remission. My brain function is back. I don’t nap any more. I haven’t had a sinus infection, ear infection or anything that has required the Dr. since diagnosis. I feel pretty damn good.
So stop asking me if I’ve lost weight.
Why?
First, because my weight is none of your business.
Second?
No one ever asked if I gained the weight when I did so how does losing weight make the topic open for discussion?
Third?
Because my health is more important than my appearance.
As a matter of fact, stop asking any women if they’ve lost weight.
Because maybe they have and it’s not because they wake up at 5:50am to do Pilates, eat kale all day, and kick box in the afternoons.
Maybe it’s because they lost a loved one. Maybe it’s because they’ve been diagnosed with cancer. Maybe they have a mental illness.
Maybe they don’t know why.
So next time you suspect a women has lost weight, instead of asking about her appearance, talk about her as a person.
“How are you feeling lately?”
“You look really healthy, happy, or alive.”
There is only shallow confidence to be gained by receiving weight loss compliments and my health and soul goes so much deeper.
Caught your blog after I saw you mentioned us and one of our motors in one of your posts. Anyway, I couldn’t agree more with everything you said here. Just wanted to show my support and say that I’m glad to hear you’re feeling better after going through something so alarming.
Brilliant post, Jen! I am glad you are feeling better.
Well said, Jen. I too have been on a roller coaster ride of illnesses. Starting with a brain tumor in 2010, it has been surgery after surgery ever since. Health issues fluctuate; weight fluctuates. Add stress and anxiety, and I am down almost 30 pounds. I look great, but I feel like shit. Glad you are starting to feel better. I am finding out that recovery takes a loooong time…
Yes, thank you for this. I gained weight being on prednisone for a back injury. I also needed surgery and it was a long process to get healthy again. I’m so tired of people making comments, etc. BTW, you are hilarious on Twitter!
This. This is why I love you so much. And AMEN. :)
I’m a Hashi too. It’s important to stay on top of my meds and get my blood tested regularly or else the shit hits the fan and my whole world falls apart.
I recall when I went through a divorce, I lost about 20 lbs of pure stress weight. I wasn’t trying to lose it, I was just emotionally devastated. People were very catty and rude about the weight loss. So much so, that one of my co-workers went to our boss (the high school principal) and told her that I was a bad role model for our students since I so obviously had anorexia (I didn’t).
People can be nasty.
“Eat a sandwich.”
Yeah. Thanks. That will definitely fix the nervous breakdown I’m having. Thanks for asking.
Glad you’re feeling better and getting healthy!
What drives me crazy is that I am sure people are commeting about a weight gain, just not to your face so yes why comment on a weight loss to your face?
Yes. I love this.
AMEN!! I’ve been a yoyo with weight. Getting “compliments” about weight loss only underlines (in my head) that someone was disgusted with my previous weight. It’s no one’s business….except maybe my doctor.
“There is only shallow confidence to be gained by receiving weight loss compliments and my health and soul goes so much deeper.”
Oh, how I love this. Thank you!
There was only one time in my life that I told someone they had lost weight. I met my friend Della for coffee after I hadn’t seen her for about six weeks. When she walked in her clothes were on her like she was a hanger. I asked her “Why have you lost so much weight so fast?” She burst into tears, and the next day I helped her find a postpartum depression specialist and group.
I think your gut lead you to that and that is good. If someone had asked me why I had gained so much weight so fast (by a true friend,of course) maybe I would have stopped to think and would have been diagnosed sooner.
amen lady!So glad you are functioning above 40%, though I could have sworn you were at least at 95:) Glad you are on the mend and feeling better. HUGS
Hell to the yes, thank you! No one asks guys that. It’s weird that I was just thinking about this yesterday for some reason… Well maybe not since so many women fixate in weight and appearance