Friday, December 17, 2010

Over stimulation!

How little is just too dang small? These squares are 1/2 inch finished, the tail ends of the log cabin mini quilt...and I tossed the rest of the scraps. A new mug mat for dear husband!!
Are you keeping up with Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville mystery? Step five, I think it is...is SIX HUNDRED half square triangles! Now that is a challenge! I happened to have saved a bunch of these squares, and pulled all the red ones out and squared them up. I only have....510 to go!!
This is the box I dumped out on the kitchen counter...all my saved 1/2 square bonus triangles from tons of old projects. What to do with all these!!?? I guess I will save them for just such an event as the mystery quilt!! Forgive the chocolate chip bag and etc. in the background...I made cookies for dear husband to take to work.






******************Nurse's notes*********************

A mystery for you! A few symptoms a certain patient had:
  • Insomnia
  • weight loss without trying, in fact eating like a heifer!
  • irritability and restlessness
  • high heart rate
  • hair loss
  • skin changes
  • vision changes (double vision)
  • fuzzy thinking, a little...

By the way...this patient is me!! Well...two days ago I just felt my heart beating so fast, it felt almost out of my chest! I have been not feeling well for some time...remember I had a bunch of medical testing this spring...and continuing. Well, I am a heart nurse, so got an EKG and my heart rate at rest was 135. Scary high, for lying down! I thought the problem was my heart, so went and saw the cardiologist, who did more testing...and guess what? If you nursing types guessed hyperthyroidism...you were right! My thyroid gland is secreting way too much hormone and overstimulating my entire system. That is the reason I cannot sleep and feel so lousy!! So, now I go to the endocrinologist and get scanned to see if this is caused by thyroid cancer, or just autoimmune thyroiditis. Either way...looks like I will be on some kind of med for the rest of my life. I am so glad to finally know what the heck was wrong with me...and I think I have had this for a long, long time.


Thanks for listening friends...I was quite upset about it yesterday, but time and prayer are great healers...I will just do whatever it is that I need to do, and troop right along!!!


Have a great day, all!!


Julie

49 comments:

LesQuilts said...

Hi!
Your friendly nurse practitioner here,
all common symptoms of hyperthyroidism!
good news, you probably lost some weight....
you might need I 131 treatment to put your thyroid to sleep, then meds forever. But could have worse meds to take, like diuretic!
By the way, when was your last physical? Thyroid tests usually done with lab work...
Best of luck, take care, Leslie

Anonymous said...

Hello Julie, I am happy you have found out what was wrong....600 h/s triangles....yuck...I loathe making those....grin...seriously take care Julie...Hugs Lyn

Barb said...

Oh wow...hope you get to feeling better....

that is alot of half squares to make...good luck!

*karendianne. said...

Very sharing of you. I know how much it takes to put your personal health business out there but I for one, well I thank you for setting the example! You have so much strength and so much knowledge you'll absolutely be able to manage this. I know that beyond anything resembling doubt my friend. It's so complicated when it comes to dx'ing health problems. People don't realize how folks can go for years without the right dx. What's admirable here is you're own ability to read the signs and symptoms and MAKE IT HAPPEN! Kudos to you, Julie. I can't imagine how you feel personally but you know I relate on some level. Yours always, *karendianne.

Wonky Girl said...

Oh my, hope it is just something curable with a daily med. I have fibromyalgia and the docs are always checking my thyroid, they still don't believe there is such a thing as fibro. But my tests are always normal.
I love Bonnie's patterns from the past but her newer ones have too many pieces for me! LOL- I'll stick to Chunky Churn Dashes and Pineapple Blossom Blocks.

Amelia said...

God does answer prayer...and pray is something I can - even though the miles separate us...we both are children of the same God and we have access to him through prayer.

Terry said...

Love the little mug mat! Holy cow...600 HSTs? No way can I make that many without going crazy! LOL I'm no nurse but I was guessing it was your thyroid out of whack! At least now you know what it is so you can get better! :0)

Chris said...

Hi - Your fave reader and dietitian - also spotted the hyperthyroidism. I'm normally hypo and was taking meds for 5 years. Then my thyroid decided to get back to work. That combined with the meds made me hyper. Was SOOO glad when it got balanced out right. One month from now you will be amazed how much better you feel. Meanwhile your quilty friends are thinking of you and wishing you well. :)

Just Ramblin' said...

So glad you have found out what has been happening. Hopefully now with medicine you'll be feeling better soon. Nola

Robin said...

I let out a defeated sigh when I discovered what part 5 required. I was finally above water with the string blocks but now, here I am, sinking again.

Pat said...

I'm glad you are getting some answers about your health issue......and am sure with the right meds, you will feel a lot better soon.

KaHolly said...

Will be thinking of you as you sort this all out! ~karen

paulette said...

So glad they caught it and can be controlled with meds! Hopefully you are on the road to feeling better and just in time for Christmas!!
All the best!
Paulette

Elaine Adair said...

I must watch too many medical programs because I guessed right. However, I'm very sorry you have to deal with it, but thankfully, you have a good handle on it right away!

Keep taking good care of yourself!

Loris said...

Holy HST's, Batman! that's alot of triangles! This quilt mystery is really getting interesting :-)
Yes, the symptoms sounded pretty typical. My were somewhat the opposite (hypothyroid)...except for the irritability!...I was also relieved there was a reason for it. Scary to have your heart race like that. Glad to hear there's a fairly easy fix for it.

AnnieO said...

I guessed hyperthyroid immediately, LOL! Glad you found a cause for all your disjointed symptoms.

The mug mat is adorable, but definitely over the top, woman! Glad you had the strength to toss the rest of the scraps.

Hmm, I have a bunch of red/neutral half square triangles, but mine are all different colors. I'll have to see if that will work with the mystery. It is a puzzle to figure out where to use those little leftovers, for sure.

Hope you're feeling better soon!

Pokey said...

I'm glad the scary symptoms came with a rational answer. I don't like being tied to a rx for life either, but it is a live-able, do-able solution.
I can't wait to see the finish to this quilt mystery, So many folks are sewing along!

Anonymous said...

Hi Julie, you can have the h/s triangles all to yourself to small for me. Love your pineapple blocks. Take care and have a restful and joyous christmas. Luv Debbie
(deb247@netspace.net.au)

Helen in the UK said...

Good news to hear that you have a diagnosis for your varied symptoms. Hope the meds will soon have you feeling much better :)

May Kristin said...

Hyperthyroidism, my very first thought when I read the symptoms! It's good you found out what the problem was. Hopefully you will feel better soon when you have started on your meds!
My son has all the same symptoms, and coeliac disease as well, but his tests are normal...
Wish you luck with your mystery!

Carol said...

Hope you're feeling better SOON! Those are some teeny half square triangles. Take good care.

Leanne said...

I am sure you will start feeling your old self once you start on some medication. Take Care and have a great Christmas.

Tudy said...

Glad you are getting to the bottom of your problem. I will keep you in my prayers that it is easily treatable.

Lori said...

Well, thank goodness they have your health issues narrowed down. I hope you get to feeling normal soon!!

I knocked out a mess of hst yesterday!! I used the triangle paper on a grid. Go! Go!

Dortha said...

I am so glad that they figured out what your problem was. Sometimes one's problem remains a mystery. I hope you are feeling better. I love to read your blog.

Karen said...

Hope things go as well as possible with your new diagnosis! And speaking of Bonnie's newest mystery assignment, is she kidding????? Not sure I have 600 red hst in me LOL! We'll see after Christmas. Take care of yourself!

Amy said...

Julie,
I have no nursing knowledge, but I will pray for you.

Alice Grace said...

I am hearing about so many now who have this problem, or something to do with their thyroid. My daughter was just diagnosed with HypOthyroidisn. Medication is really wonderful for her. Hope you feel better!

Trisha said...

I got stressed out just reading about how many HSTs you have to make! I was thinking about doing that quilt and now I am really glad I didn't. Although I bet it is going to be gorgeous! Sorry to hear about your hyperthyroidism but it is nice that you know what it is so you can get help for it. But it sure isn't fun and I am so sorry you have to deal with it!

Joyce said...

I'm sooo glad they finally figured out what was wrong. My sister went from hypo to hper over the years. She was on meds the rest of her life too, but she felt great. Soon you will too. Take care of yourself - the world needs more people like you!
HUGS

Angie said...

Oh sugar, I feel for you and what you've gone through---been there, done that, got the meds to prove it (for life BTW) LOL. I am so sorry you're having to deal with this tho. Love your tiny mug mat. And aren't you the lucky girl who saved ALL of these little half square triangles. :) Hope they have you back to feeling at least a bit more normal soon, sweetie.

Chookyblue...... said...

lets hope all you need is a tablet........

Kaaren said...

Oh, Julie my thoughts and prayers are with you and I pray that you get your condition under control quickly.

As for your 600 hst's...better you than me. Set a daily goal and you'll see how quickly they'll be done.

Libby said...

Hope you are well on the mend now - no fun having the heck scared out of you!
As for small quilts - they just seem to get exponentially cuter as they become smaller *s*

Karen said...

I admire that you keep those tiny pieces of fabric. And I admire that you do use some. I would toss them.

Unknown said...

Juile, why did you wait so long. My DD has to take thyroid meds and I know so many others. But what a bunch of different stuff you had. I;m sure you were thinking the worst. Please don't Doesn't help

scraphappy said...

I'm sure it wouldn't be fun to work with such small pieces all the time, but they are very adorable. Good luck with the next step of the mystery.
Glad you figured out what was making you feel so strangely. Taking daily meds is better than feeling badly. I love your little mug rug.

Quilter Kathy said...

Glad to hear you solved the mystery of your patient! Hope you feel better soon...that was scarey, eh? Maybe you should take a break from all those HST's and catch up on your rest!

Rachel said...

I am giving myself brownie points for correctly identifying hyperthyroidism! Glad to hear of your fun trip!

Jeanne said...

Hello Julie, I'm glad you are closer to finding the cause of your health concerns. I'll keep you in my prayers. Love your latest mug rug. Isn't it fun to play with little pieces?

Debi said...

So glad you found out the cause of your discomfort. A dear friend of mine (DFW member) had a recent bout of thyroid cancer and beat it! I hope and pray this is not yoru situation.

Jan said...

Glad you were able to find out what is wrong. Hope they can find the right meds to help you. I will be praying for you!
600 HSTs? WOW!!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Finn said...

my goodness but those are scary symptoms Julie! Soooo glad you paid attention and saw the dr. That resting pulse is unbelievable. You're doing to be a good gal and do whatever you're told, right?? I'd hate to have to shake my finger at you! Love the little mug mat, very sweet! Your little gingerbread quilt is hanging over my sink this year, and the potholder is close by, remembering Day of Olde when Santas were flat *VBS* Sending big hugs, Finnie XXXX

Quilts And Pieces said...

I gave up trying to think I was going to do Bonnie's mystery. Just too busy. But your little mug rug for DH is adorable!

Floss said...

Glad you found out what the problem is, I think its always better to know then you can deal with it.

1/2 inch finish is to small if you ask me, but it turned out great.

Deanna said...

At least you know. And it is treatable. Do take care of yourself and have a merry christmas.

Lee Prairie Designs said...

Hope you are feeling better soon.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Hugs, Carolyn

Sharon said...

Glad you a have got a diagnosis. I am taking tamoxifen for another 4 years and my surgeon keeps asking me about depression. Finally this spring I just had enough of feeling lousy, gaining weight, patience of an ant, so I went to my g.p. for blood work to rule out anything and then I was going to my surgeon and going to deal with the depression. Wrong! Low thyroid. (all the same symptoms of depression, so I wonder how many women are walking around taking anti depressants when they need thyroid meds?) After 2 1/2 months of meds, I FINALLY feel like I'm getting back to my old self (pre breast cancer treatments) Yes, it's a pill a day forever, but life is so much better.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, thanks for your blogging, I really enjoy peeking into the slice of life you share with us.

CindyC said...

I was diagnoised with Graves in 2002. I lost 30 lbs. in about 3 months. Boy was that nice, but was havoc on my body. My thyroid was 3 times active. So we decided to "kill" it with radiation. Took two times to accomplish the task. I am on my little pill for the rest of my life and have now gained everything back. Too bad!

Puffins and purples!!

I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...