In November I went in for my yearly check-up. My doctor told me that I either needed to get my weight under control or become a diabetic. I have struggled with my weight and some other health issues since my mid-twenties.
Just a little backstory on my health. My husband and I decided to wait a few years to try and have children. In 2005 we decided it was time to start trying to get pregnant. We were not having any luck but thought nothing of it. At a routine checkup, it was discovered that I had PCOS. This is polycystic ovary syndrome. My doctor at the time explained that my body was producing too much insulin so ovaries would not release the eggs. He said my ovaries looked like grape clusters, which is why when they finally released them. I would have such a heavy and painful cycle. After discussing all my options, we decided to try and work on my diet and lose some weight. The diet was easy and not too strict. I did have to cut out sugar. I was able to drop weight fast. In less than a month, we were pregnant.
We did not struggle as long as some of you, but I can empathize. I know how it feels when it is all you want and everyone around you is getting pregnant. This is where I began to struggle with being happy for them. I remembered a verse a lady at church had given me years ago. Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." I was not delighting in the Lord at this time. It was all about poor me. I began to pray and ask God for the strength to wait on his timing. We had our first child in 2007 and then our second child in 2008.
In 2017, we noticed my neck looked swollen. I went to my doctor, and he said we would need to get an ultrasound to see how serious it was. I got the ultrasound which is just as hard to tell what you were looking at as when you look at an early-stage baby ultrasound. Went back to my doctor and discovered I have a goiter on both sides of my thyroid. One was solid and the other was half solid half liquid. I went to an ENT doctor, and they said it was not cancerous which I was thankful for. He did say that it is in overdrive just to read normal and that it would eventually stop working. At the time we did not have insurance and could not afford the surgery, so we waited.
I continued to gain weight and lose weight back and forth for quite a few years. Not knowing what to do. So now back to my appointment in November. My doctor discussed options of what I could do. He said with my BMI being so high I could qualify for bariatric surgery. I told him I was not comfortable with that choice and wanted to try as natural of a way that I could. I wanted something that would teach me a sustainable way to lose weight. He suggested an appetite suppressor, changing my diet, and exercising.
So, a new journey began. I would take the pill every morning. I noticed a difference in my appetite and wanting to snack. I noticed a small difference right away. My husband also wanted to change his diet. We cut out all sugar and watched the amount of food and carbs we were eating. I was logging my meals and watching my calories. I began to see the weight drop. This also happened right before the holidays. I was able to eat a smaller amount of the things I loved and still lose weight.
In January, I began going to the gym with my two boys. I am lying on the floor at the gym doing a workout. They were encouraging me to keep going even when I didn't feel like it. I started noticing more weight come off with adding the gym. I got up the courage to go to the free weights side. It was a bit tougher because I had to control my movements more to avoid injury. So, since November I have lost 26 pounds. I was ecstatic at my last appointment. He also asked me about my thyroid. It had gotten bigger. I told him we were waiting for insurance to come into effect. When the insurance kicked in, we decided to get the ball rolling on seeing what needed to be done for my thyroid.
I was able to get an appointment rather quickly at the same office I visited years ago. It was a different doctor. I was a little nervous going in. During the visit, he inserted a camera up my nose and down my throat. He said the good news was that my thyroid was not touching my vocal cords. But he did not like that I could feel it touching my throat. Because of the size of it and the concern of touching my throat, it would need to be completely removed. He talked me through the whole process and put me at ease. I then was able to get the surgery scheduled for this June. It will require a one-night stay in the hospital.
At my last checkup, there was no loss but no gain. So, we put our heads together and came up with two new goals for me. My first goal is to be down to 190 by my surgery which is doable if I get my butt in gear. My second goal is farther out. My brother is getting married to one of my close friends. So, I would like to be down to 180 by September. It gives me two months which is good since I will be recovering from surgery and getting set up on my thyroid medication. I feel very positive about the outcome of all of this.
I am still slightly nervous about the surgery having never had one before. But I have a great support system with family and friends. many are already praying for the surgery and my recovery. I also have faith in the ultimate physician. I have seen God do amazing healing through prayer, whether it is the person who got better or went home to be with the Lord. His will is done and always brings him glory in every situation. Please do pray for me through this as we are finishing up school and preparing for the surgery. Thank you again for reading my blog. If you have any questions, please email me. I would love to hear from you.
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