Health Battles

For those who don't know us really well, the past 4 months have been quite unusual. I developed subacute thyroiditis in late December. What started as an innocent inflammation of one side of the thyroid gland, quickly developed into a very uncomfortable hyperthyroid condition. I developed a 104 degree fever, had severe and unusual body pain, and lost a rather dramatic 10 pounds in a week. I also got the flu on top of this; I must say I felt wretched! The localized neck pain was moderate, but the heart palpitations and tachycardia were severe. I have been on beta blockers since that time; today is the first day that I have been able to stop medication. I am hopeful my blood pressure will increase a bit; I am so tired of feeling dizzy and unfocused.

Subacute thyroiditis is usually a viral condition that resolves on its own within several months. That does seem to be the case in my situation. I was hyperthyroid for approximately 10 weeks; I will now become hypothyroid for about the same length of time. My endocrinologist follows my progress via regular blood tests. Now that I appear to be through the hyperthyroid stage, the problematic arrhythmia should be a thing of the past. 95% of patients totally recover for this type of thyroiditis; only 5% require permanent thyroid replacement.

This relatively minor, although inconvenient and frightening virus completely knocked me off my feet. I have really never been in the situation of simply not being able to take care of my family--- or only being able to do very little for them. The illness has certainly given me a different attitude towards life, and I can not say that all of it has been positive--- at least at this point.

What I can say is that I am in genuine awe of people, who by God's grace, manage to care for their families and continue to homeschool their children when they are devastated by illness. One friend of mine has battled breast cancer for over 12 years, yet she continues to love and to serve her family like few of us ever could. I do stand in awe of my God who infuses her spirit with exactly what she needs every single day, to do what the Lord has for her to do. God is Good, and He alone is to be trusted!

Thanks to all of you who have prayed both for me and for my family through this trial. I'm feeling better every day, and I praise the Lord for His protection and healing.