Take Another Little Piece of…

Well, it’s been awhile, huh?

And then I start back with something of a cryptic title. (Give me a break, OK?  I haven’t had enough energy to be verbally playful for quite awhile!)

So here’s the deal.  I am learning to do without.

That is:  my body is learning how to survive without my right adrenal gland.   Which is all weird, and a little frustrating, because I have pretty much NO control over how my body learns to re-work itself to compensate for this “loss.”

In case you forgot/were wondering, I have had hyperaldosteronism for at least the past 5 years (remember this?).  Based on my age and my symptoms, the adrenalectomy was my best shot at a cure for this disease.  After a few years of dangerously low potassium (K), which gave me very high blood pressure and the strong probability of an eventual stroke or heart attack, a resident at the Waukesha Memorial ER finally figured out what was wrong with me about a year ago.  Other symptoms accompanying this largely unknown – but NOT uncommon — disease:  excessive thirst, going to the bathroom LOTS at night, crushing anxiety, weight gain, headaches, muscle cramps, and significantly diminished ability to focus.

My Health Mini-Lottery

So… while I have lost a gland that practically everyone NEVER gives a second thought about for his/her entire life, I *have* gained quite a lot.

My intellectual capacity is coming back.  My vocabulary and ability to concentrate for longer periods of time is resuming, not quickly, but at least markedly.  For someone who felt like a relatively smart person most of her life, to be so incapacitated and quite frankly, STUPID, was unbelievably sad and humiliating.  But since the surgery, I have read 5 books!!!  That was practically impossible before – I couldn’t remember from one sitting to the next details of plot, background of characters, etc.

It’s a small thing, I know, but it gives me incredible hope.

I don’t feel like an elephant is sitting on my chest anymore, either.  I’m not referring to a heavy-ness, but extreme and crippling anxiety.  As I’ve referred to before, I have had depression and anxiety for a long time, but over the past 2 years, especially, it had just gotten worse and worse (too much aldosterone short-circuits your fight-or-flight response, among other things).  Now?  Now I’m feeling lighter.  Less “frozen.”  So much less fearful.

My blood pressure this morning was 117/78 – a dramatic improvement from 155/97 (my last reading at the endocrinology clinic before the surgery).  I’m hoping that as I recover, lose the extra weight (I’ve already lost 7 lbs!), and can safely become more physically active, that maybe I’ll get back to my personal norm (for ~34 years or so) of 90/60.

Gratitude and Sincere Thanksgiving

I could not have made it through this in one piece (and without a trip to the psych ward…) without help.

I honestly DO NOT have enough words of praise or appreciation to describe how my neighbors have helped take care of me and my family during this unbelievably stressful time.  They’ve cooked us so many meals, dropped off treats, been my moral support, and watched my children for hours and hours and hours.  I couldn’t have made it through without any one of them.  And that is not an exaggeration.

My husband, despite working  55+ hour/week at a very stressful job, has valiantly put up with my moods, my nasty bouts of anxiety, all my whining about being sick of being sick, and several dozen other unpleasant “side effects” of the hyperaldosteronism.  Truth be told, I think that I might naturally be a little challenging… but I’m pretty sure the past couple of years, especially, have fully covered the “or worse” clause in the “for better or worse” marital vows.

I also have to thank my family.  I am especially grateful that my mom was able to come down last week, because I still haven’t figured out how I to pace myself as my body heals from surgery and creates a “new normal.”  (Turns out?  Six hours of intense house cleaning WASN’T a good idea…  LOL)  Before that, shortly after surgery, my sister-in-law came up for a day to watch my kids and lend a hand so that I could rest.   Honestly, in both cases it was such a relief to know I could just focus on recovery, and not worry about mom responsibilities.  What a gift!

And while I’m pretty sure all my Facebook friends must be really, really tired of my whining, I *know* that all the prayers, well wishes, and supportive comments are truly significant

Remaining Puzzles

I still have some other health stuff that I need to address.  Nothing related to hyperaldosteronism – though I have to make sure I’m healed enough before I fully address this other issue.  I have met with several doctors about it earlier this week, and I have two more appointments next week, so hopefully I can decide what the next actions need to be.

More to Come!

I have lots more to tell you about, PLUS a drawerful (or two…) of stuff sent to me by companies who want me to share their products with you.  While I don’t know that I’ll have the stamina to post daily for awhile, I will be back here regularly.  Yay!!

 

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Tagged as: adrenal gland, adrenalectomy, Conn's Syndrome, Health, hyperaldosteronism, neighborhood, recovery, surgery