Improved
6119 HealthChanged
3788 LivesSaved
3574 Lives0 lives impacted in the last 24 hrs Learn More
I have had issues with my thyroid since I was in my late 20s. I was diagnosed with Graves disease, took radioactive iodine to destroy my thyroid activity, and have been on thyroid medication ever since - over 20 years. As an athlete with lean body mass, Menopause began for me at age 42. I began Hormone Replacement Therapy with bioidentical hormones, and felt pretty good, until almost 2 years ago. I began to feel fatigued, couldn't spend my normal 2 hours at the gym, had daily headaches, and started experiencing severe hair loss. Finally, after many changes to my hormone and thyroid regimen, my doctor ordered a brain scan, and I was diagnosed with a pituitary microadenoma.
Shortly thereafter, my employer of 14 years let me go - they said they moving in a different direction. I was devastated. I had no plan B, I felt lousy, and as though I had been kicked while I was down. The doctors couldn't manage or alleviate my symptoms - they had decided my tumor is too small to remove, and gave up on me. They prescribed antidepressants, anti everything drugs, which I refuse to take. "Have another MRI in a year, and if it get's larger, we'll take it out."
Instead, I decided to pursue my passion, so I created a specialty dessert company, Home Made Sweet Stuff. I could work at home, rest when my headaches become unmanageable, and do the one thing that has always brought me joy, the one thing I had been doing for nearly 50 years - bake! My kitchen aromas fill the house, and make everyone who visits just smile. They feel better. I bake to make other people happy, and I'm ecstatic when I hear the yummy noises they make after that first bite.
I am actually grateful to that company that discarded me nearly a year ago - in fact, I am sending them a gift basket for Christmas, with a note that says, "thank you for setting me free."
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment2 Comments
Hi Maura,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with our community! I think pursuing your passion is so important! And might I add you are fantastic at what you do!
Thank you for sharing your treats with the EmpowHER team, they were amazing! We are still talking about the red velvet Twinkies!
I found this video that I thought you may be interested in from one of EmpowHER's Medical Advisory Board Members Dr. Theodore Friedman who is an endocrinologist specializing in challenging patients with thyroid, pituitary, adrenal and fatigue disorders.
In this video Dr. Friedman explains the role of the pituitary gland in a woman's body https://www.empowher.com/community/share/pituitary-micro-adenoma-and-new-beginning
Also, Dr. Friedman will be on Michelle's radio show in the coming weeks. Here is the link to HER Radio: https://www.empowher.com/her-radio
Thank you for sharing your story and your treats with the EmpowHER team!
Best,
Sara
November 14, 2013 - 9:41amThis Comment
Hello Home Made Sweet Stuff,
I applaud you for sharing your amazing story of taking control of your situation, following your passion for baking, and finding joy in what you do.
When one door closed, another one opened for you. Your resilience and coping abilities is commendable and truly an inspiration.
I sincerely wish you sweet success! Hang in there!
November 13, 2013 - 6:40pmMaryann
This Comment