I've gotten on a schedule of taking my Synthroid at 10:30 PM as that's 2+ hours after eating anything and easier than in the morning where I'm not able to eat for an hour after taking the hormone. Additionally, I have to wait 4+ hours between taking any calcium or calcium-containing foods or supplementation to take my Synthroid. There's a whole "training" for taking Synthroid on their website and quiz - drink plenty of water, same time each day, avoiding certain foods...there are a lot of "rules" with Thyroid hormones. My endocrinologist said evening was fine as many users find that easier. The schedule is taking some getting used to and is helping me avoid eating after 8. I want to get to an earlier schedule and maybe switch to early mornings around 6 since it's supposed to be taken on an empty stomach. Mostly, I'm looking forward to seeing whether the new dosing is beneficial to my energy level in the upcoming weeks.
Did I mention I'm exhausted? It comes in waves. Moments where I feel like I could sprint and other times where I just want to lay down and do nothing. This morning was really hard to get out of bed and get going. Noah not sleeping isn't helping either as I usually feel Emily leave the bed, wake up and then pass out again. Then I woke up from a dream at 4 AM this morning on top of it all.
Having started back to work Monday, the 1st of July was full of emotions. Nearly two months since my diagnosis and Tuesday being two weeks since surgery already. The first day back was full of welcoming and excitement from coworkers that I had returned and concern and trepidation that it was too soon from friends and family. Since I've not been on any narcotics, just Tylenol intermittently, there was no concern for driving and I've simply had no pain, knock on wood. It was time though, as short term disability claims aren't a free ride, I still had to cash-out over 40 hours of flex time to ensure I got paid for the "waiting" period. I only had 500 or so emails to get through :)
Leave claims are stressful in and of themselves. The waiting, paperwork, proving the request to take time off is legitimized by the "right" level of need. It's not my first run in with Sedgwick, the leave company, as I took time off when I worked for Apple for my own mental health and tending to some family needs. Thankfully, everything was approved for this surgery and that chapter can be closed.
The good news from this week is the blood work from my Endocrinologist came back. I actually received the results via the clinic app Sunday along with a note from my doctor. Basically, my Calcium is stabilizing and he's dropped me from 4000 mg a day to 3000. So, only have to take 5 pills! Additionally my Parathyroid hormone is increasing as well and is "okay." More to come at the next blood draw that will be in about 5 weeks.
Lastly, the scar therapy is going well. Scar Away patch during the day and paper first aid tape at night. The itching is diminishing which is just indicative of the phase of healing I'm going through. I also attribute the healing to the great wound closing by the surgical team. I'll have the wound checked in a few weeks by my surgeon to confirm the scaring is healing in the right direction.
Peace and health,
Chris
#CancerSucks #Scar #Healing #Progress #Calcium #PTH #BackToWork
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| 07/02/2019 Scar Progress |