During the past few days I have been posting about my illness, Hyperparathyroidism. Not many people know about it and it often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. You can read my previous posts, “What Is Wrong With Me?“, “Hyperparathyroidism – What is it?”, “Parathyroidectomy and My Missing Gland” and “Post Op and What You Need To Know” by clicking on the links.
My recovery has been going well. You can see by the picture my scar is healing nicely. I visited the surgeon last Thursday and at this point I am to start massaging the scar on a daily basis with Vitamin E and in a year it will be barely noticeable. I am taking two Ultra Tums per day. One in the AM and one in the PM for calcium. I take 2000 mg of Vitamin D per day to try and build up my bone strength. It may take a year till we can build them back to where they should be after the parathyroid leached all the calcium out.
How am I feeling? Much, much better. I’m not completely recovered yet, but WOW, what a difference! No heart palpatations, my blood pressure is back to normal, I can walk much better, my joints still have some pain, but nothing like before. (I may indeed have a touch of arthritis), the bone pain in my shin is almost completely gone, every once in a while I get a pain, but not constant like before. I’m going up steps so much better. Still having some problems going down, but every day I see improvement. I’m not forgetting as much….in fact I think I am remembering too many things! I am able to focus and concentrate so much better.
I have noticed an improvement in some things I didn’t even know were affected till after the surgery. For instance I don’t have to go to the bathroom near as often, my digestive system seems to be working better too and my skin isn’t as dry.
I asked my husband if he noticed any difference and he said, “Oh my gosh, YES! You are moving around so much better, you are not wincing in pain, and you just seem to feel a lot better!” Being the nice guy that he is, he didn’t say it, but I’m sure he could have added, “You are not as grouchy either!”
I just feel so much better, mentally and physically. It is hard to describe. Of course I am not back to work yet, and once I can’t sleep in, have to go to work and juggle a schedule again, I might not be as chipper. Time will tell. But I am so happy I had this surgery. It has made a huge difference for me.
Parathyroidectomy Recovery Reflections – Robin Smith
My Medical Team
Quite a few people have asked about my medical team, and I wanted to share with you who my doctors are.
My Family Doctor – Dr. Ernesto DelasAlas MD in Bedford.
My Endocrinologist – Dr. Heleh Haerian-Ardakani, MD in Altoona
My Endocrine Surgeon – Dr. Kelly McCoy, MD at UPMC Pittsburgh
I am so thankful for them and their expertise in identifying my problem and going above and beyond to remove the parathyroid.
We have come to the end of my story. I will probably write another post in about six months to let everyone know how I am doing and if all the symptoms have disappeared. I just want to thank you for taking the time to read about this and I hope you found it helpful and interesting.
If there is one thing I have learned from this whole experience, it is “Don’t take your health for granted.” We all do it, but once you start to lose your health you appreciate it so much more.
If this has made a difference for you or you learned something new, please comment below.
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