I hope my story inspires you

Jul 31, 2010

OH friends!

I want to share my story with you! I hope you find it inspiring!

I was severely hyperthyroid in October 2007 when I had radiation iodine given to me to kill my thyroid. I had what they call Graves' disease. This happens when you go a long time undiagnosed hypothyroid and your body compensates by enlarging into a goiter then systemic thyroid enlargement called Hashimoto's disorder. IF still untreated your thyroid continues to grow and you become severe hyperthyroid.
 
Graves disease is very ugly people. It could have cost me my life. I went into a lethal tachycardic rhythm. That is what being a paramedic, never sleeping, and having severe denial issues does to you! LOL

So I was hospitalized and had to stay away from all human contact for 7 days as they gave me gamma and beta radiation. I dumped thyroid and had to go into a monitored bed, because my heart was on overdrive; going in and out of tachycardia.

So after this, I became severely low of thyroid. I effectively killed my thyroid. So slowly, with medications, I came up to normal level. In the mean time, I gained weight. ALOT of WEIGHT. My metabolism was ZERO! It got to the point where I was too fat to fly on the helicopter (the job I love) and I won myself a desk job dispatching or ground transports for over a year. I was severely depressed. Everything I was, I was no more and the weight just kept on coming!

So at 294 lbs January 2009 (230lbs in June 2007), I went to a seminar with a friend and my life began to change. I lost 50 lbs in the 10 months prior to surgery. I went on the liquid protein diet in the first month, went low carb, quit sodas, lowered my intake, and quit smoking. I wanted my life back and was determined.

I had to get back to flight weight prior to surgery on my own, to prove to myself I could do this.That in my mind, this surgery was not so I could get to flight weight, I did that on my own. I wanted this surgery to keep me healthy physically and mentally.  I knew in the end, the 50 lbs of weight loss was only a temporary solution to my weight problem. I still wanted the surgery. I wanted to be healthy for the first time in my life.

I have been a medic for 15 years and to say I am not the best patient is an understatement. I am stubborn and hard headed. I have had to be the bitch, in a profession primarily held by men. I question everything! So I can see why my surgeon was probably "put out" with all my questioning of his expertise. I am blessed to have not one but two surgeons who were on my case and they put up with me!

I was high risk. Diabetic, sleep apnea, severe hypothyroid, past cardiac episode, 52 BMI, high blood pressure, PCOS, and depression to name a few.

Fast forward nine months post op. I take no meds but my 137 mcg x 2 daily of Levothyroxine and my daily 50 mg of Zoloft... but all other meds are gone! No more sleep apnea! No more high blood pressure! No more diabetes! BMI of 28.5! 133lbs of weight loss total! I am even starting one of those extreme exercise programs you see on infomercials late at night! BRING IT ON!

The best thing ever! I am flying! I am on that helicopter and I am helping kids again! So I hope my story inspires someone! That you can be the person you were meant to be with a little help with something called WLS!



Here I am on the ground at 294lbs.



Same pants, 7 months after Surgery...



In the new smaller flightsuit at a PR event...


Once I get a flight picture not at night, I will post it!

3 Comments

About Me
Corpus Christi, TX
Location
23.2
BMI
RNY
Surgery
11/11/2009
Surgery Date
Oct 27, 2009
Member Since

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