Many years ago, when I was seeking an answer for my frequent bowel obstructions, I had a meeting with a renown Gastro-Enterologist at Mt. Sinai in New York. We spent a long time discussing my history, my pain, my coping skills and my attitude. And then this doctor who specialized in such a specific part of the body asked me if I had my mammography that year? And had I taken my flu shot? Was I up to date on my pneumonia immunizations, my B12 shots? He pointed out that many with chronic issues overlook the rest of their body, and that can be to their detriment!  

That was on my mind these winter weeks at our Ostomy Support Groups, and we discussed the importance of maintaining good health. Some in our group have Crohn’s, an autoimmune disease; some have cancer and are in treatment; some are prone to intestinal infections; while all are faced with compromised immune systems. I am a firm believer in doing whatever I can to be proactive, recognizing that good health is, for the most part, my responsibility. I seek out specialists when indicated, and do my best to take advantage of the excellent medical care available in our area.  

An area where I have felt a failure, however, is my ability to deal with my serious osteoporosis, and although I have tried a myriad of treatments, nothing has helped to stop my bone loss, let alone build any bone density. A fresh pair of eyes in the form of my new Endocrinologist, Dr. Toscanozukor, recommended labs and a 24-hour urine catch, along with a series of nuclear tests, which revealed that I had a diseased parathyroid gland, which was overproducing calcium. Unfortunately, the calcium was entering my blood and urine. My bones were not receiving this essential mineral. The treatment for hyperparathyroidism is surgery, and on Monday, I had a parathyroidectomy. 

Here is the interesting part: we have 4 of these rice-shaped glands that sit behind the thyroid gland, typically two on the right, two on the left, and they usually look similar, even when one or two is sick. So how does the surgeon determine which should be removed? The nuclear tests are guides, but the process is much more interesting. Let me take you into the operating room so you can understand this cool process (as I understand it, since I was, actually, in la la land)

To begin, it is important to know that my parathyroid hormone level was 90, and it should be around 18. Dr. Lee Starker told me he would enter the left side of my neck, since that seemed the more obvious location, however, when he removed the left parathyroid, the numbers didn’t change. He then entered the right side, and both of those glands looked very healthy. So now, he had to look for the fourth gland, which was not in the predictable location. It turned out to be hidden between the trachea and the esophagus and it was very enlarged. Upon removal, my parathyroid hormone level dropped to the desirable level, and the surgery was a success! After a night in the hospital, and some soft foods, I am back to myself. My impressive incision, held together by super glue, should disappear, and in the meantime, I have scarves and shawls to protect me from the cold…now if I just had a new diamond and ruby necklace…

 

Spread the love