Day 90 Post-Op

 30 June 2021

        I firmly believe that keeping oneself busy is a good thing. It takes your mind off worries (I found this to be so essential during my pre-surgery days) and helps to channel your energy to worthwhile things (you achieve absolutely nothing if you just sit, mope and worry about your problems). At present, I have no pressing worries but it has been really busy at work. Yet, I am not complaining. 

"Life is short, so do the things that make you happy. Be with those who make you happy. Look for the good in every day, even if some days you have to look a little harder."

        Sure, there are days that I am truly worn out (I can't blame it entirely on work; it's also my own medical condition at fault). There are times when I grumble about having to handle so much of work. And then I remind myself what a blessing it is to be able to work, to be healthy enough to work! In the days leading up to my thyroidectomy and especially with the possibility of a malignant tumour looming, there were times when I wished so fervently that I could just be healthy enough to go to work, work and work.

        So now, on Day 90 after my operation, I remind myself how blessed I am to have been gifted with new life, to know that all my thyroid cysts were benign. I am grateful to be able to have my hands full with work, to be able to teach with an undamaged voice, to have seemingly adapted well to my thyroid replacement medication as my energy levels appear normal on most days (others who have undergone total thyroidectomy have reported chronic fatigue, which is really severe energy loss whereby even small actions like going downstairs and getting into the car renders one to be so tired). I just had my blood drawn again yesterday to test for thyroid functions but the results will only be known when I am scheduled to meet with the doctor on 4 August.

        I have always had the problem of a lot of hair dropping; hubby often complains that I'm moulting. As such, I cannot determine whether I have been losing hair abnormally as a result of my total thyroidectomy. 

        Gaining weight uncontrollably is one of the concerns of hypothyroidism. I have been weighing myself fairly diligently. My weight fluctuates. At times, it goes up a little, then it comes back down. But 90 days on, my weight hovers around the pre-surgery number. I aim to keep this checked with a regular exercise regime that includes low impact aerobics exercise, yoga and strength training. Exercise, after all, heals our body, restores emotional well-being, wards off depression, improves self esteem and burns calories.

        Being quite vain, I was initially very conscious of my thyroidectomy scar. I can still remember how conscious I was when I first stepped out of the house after my recovery. Now the scar doesn't worry me at all. But every time I look at it in the mirror, I am reminded of the journey that I went through, the dark days before my surgery, the trepidation, the recovery process. It's like my personal medal of courage. And sometimes I even find myself wishing that the scar doesn't fade away too soon, as it's a nudge to be grateful for this new life.

This picture was taken in February 2021 and the swelling was noticeable.

My scar on Day 90 post-op

        So, yes, on Day 90 without my butterfly, I am doing great! And with God's grace, I will continue to be on top of things.