Biscuit?
[Canon 300D w/ Lensbaby]
Looking up on Hickory Street
[Canon 300D w/ Lensbaby]
Mental Health
This is a story about mental health, my mental health or lack thereof.
Just over a month ago, I decided to go to the doctor. I’ve suffered
from depression for years, and this time I wasn’t coming out of the
hole I’d been digging myself into for months. I will confess that
I’ve avoided anti-depressants for years, fearing that I would lose
what makes me, well, me. But my anxiety was increasing as my self-esteem
pretty much hit rock bottom. When you don’t want to leave the house
to see friends and scratch a sand dollar-sized patch of
flesh from your foot, it’s time for help.
On the recommendation of friends, I found a new doctor who I
immediately felt comfortable with, unlike my previous GP who poo-pooed
most of my complaints. (When you have to beg for a urine sample that
confirms yet another bout with e.coli, something’s wrong.) Dr. K, like
any good, thorough doctor prescribing a new course of medication,
ordered a full blood panel. The results revealed an abnormality with
my THS levels. A second set of blood tests confirmed that my
Thyroid is not a happy camper.
A couple weeks ago, I took some time off work to undergo a radio
iodine uptake scan. While I was prepared for something horrific, I
must confess that Nuclear Medicine has the upside of not requiring a
change into some flimsy gown. Granted, the discarded needle from my
injection was sealed in a lead container and placed in a radioactive
waste container, but that has to be better than flashing my white
derriere to the world.
Last week, a trip to a specialist, Dr. M confirmed the suspected
diagnosis of Graves’ disease.
“The leading cause of hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease represents a
basic defect in the immune system, causing production of
immunoglobulins (antibodies) which stimulate and attack the thyroid
gland, causing growth of the gland and overproduction of thyroid
hormone. Similar antibodies may also attack the tissues in the eye
muscles and in the pretibial skin (the skin on the front of the lower
leg).” –National Graves’ Disease Foundation
In all, I feel great. Aside from some fatigue, I don’t appear to have
any symptoms. I’ll be retested before the wedding, and then determine
a course of action (this will most likely mean having my thyroid
irradiated). It’s unclear whether my depression is a symptom of
Graves’ disease. After a month of taking pills, I have to say that
Effexor is my new best friend. I feel
very much like myself, but lighter and happier.
Why am I telling you all of this? I’m done with the taboo of mental
health. My name is Heather Champ and I suffer from depression.
fabulous elsewhere
emptyPictures, it’s late, and i’m happy
making happy, Fisher Price Elephant
ephemera.org, Bay to Breakers 2: Fro Girl
Lost and found
I found a fabulous ring on Saturday. Is it yours?
Angel, Bay to Breakers
[Canon 300D]
Heather Powazek Champ never leaves the house without a camera. A Canadian by birth, she now calls San Francisco home. More »
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