Hello all,
Welcome to my blog. I am fairly active in the hypopara community and spend a lot of time answering questions about hypopara for people. I found I'm typing the same answers and figure, why not type once and then just have to link?
A little about me: my pronouns are she/her, and I am a left leaning atheist. I am pro-choice, pro-vaccine, and happy to be called a feminist, liberal, etc. I am a staunch supporter of queer rights, trans rights, and gay marriage. I vocally, and financially support the Black Lives Matter movement, the ACLU, and am actively anti-racist. If this bothers you, this probably isn't going to be a comfortable place for you.
I have a degree in molecular biology from UCSD, and have been working in quality and regulatory roles for FDA regulated industries since I graduated. Part of the quality role is generating training materials and then training my coworkers. I explain unfamiliar complex medical and scientific concepts as well as train on the interpretation and implementation of regulations in a corporate setting. Big words for I make complicated things simple and translate esoteric jargon to plain english.
That said, I am not a doctor. I don't even play one on TV. I do not give medical advice. I do not diagnose. I answer general knowledge questions, not patient-specific questions.
I came to join this family the same way approximately 75% of us have: complications from a total thyroidectomy. In late 2012 I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer, and had a total thyroidectomy. Six months later, the hypothyroid diagnosis was permanent.
My education and my work experience have been (literally) a lifesaver with this disease. I have been able to find and then understand research papers and studies. I have been able to debate with my doctors and insurance companies, ultimately changing my treatment course for the better.
I have a snarky and sarcastic sense of humor, I am irreverent and incredibly direct. This blog is a combination of my experiences living with hypopara and attempts to explain the various parts of this disease and its treatment in a way the average patient can understand. I assume a basic intelligence and curiosity about the world (and our disease) but do not assume any kind of scientific background.
If profanity offends you, this may not be a place for you.
My family and I deal with many things, including this devastating illness with humor. I prefer laughing to crying!
We have taken to referring to my calcium crashes as "twitch and bitch" as my two most obvious signs of low calcium are my hands twitching, noise quickly becoming a sensory overload issue, and a dramatic reduction in my ability to regulate my emotions. In particular irritation and anger (particularly around loud noises or competing noises). It's silly way to gently call me out and ask me to take a breath and evaluate my body and my emotions and see if I should be doing something to treat my calcium levels, or if the person I am irritated with is in fact being an ass. Or both.
I haven't decided if I am interested in an active comments section as I'm not sure I want to deal with moderating them. In the meantime, you can contact me with questions you would like answered at twitchnbtch@gmail.com. Please note: I can't guarantee a response to all emails.
