I'm incredibly honored to feature a beautifully written blog post today by Erin O'Brien, whose daughter was born with Congenital Hypothyroidism. Fellow parents of children with Congenital Hypothyroidism, you will undoubtedly relate to her thoughts and feelings. ~Blythe aka Thyroid Mom *********************************************************************************** I recently wrote an essay about finding the strength to be brave for our children when we feel anything but strong or brave. The story centered around my newborn daughter’s diagnosis with congenital hypothyroidism. Blythe read my essay, reached out with the kindest words, and asked if I would share a bit more with you. I immediately thought, “Yes! Of course!” but then … [Read more...]
Congenital Hypothyroidism and Blood Draws and Courage
With regard to blood draws, I have been quoted as saying "it gets easier"... It's true. It gets easier. That doesn't mean they aren't still hard. Yesterday, both of my boys needed to go in for their routine blood draw to check their thyroid levels, as do all children with congenital hypothyroidism. Now that they are older, they only go every 6 months (unless there is an issue, then more frequently). Just enough time to forget they have to ever go again. I picked up my oldest from school. My youngest was already in the car. With my youngest, the less time he has to ponder the thought of having his blood drawn, the better. At the last draw, they both did well. No tears. This is a victory. For any other parent who has a child … [Read more...]
Congenital Hypothyroidism: The First Year
I am thrilled to share this touching letter with you from a mother to her daughter. Gabby, like my sons, was born with Congenital Hypothyroidism. Like all of us mothers and fathers who hear those words spoken about their newborns, Gabby's mother, Meghan, was so worried about what life would be like for her beautiful newborn daughter. Well, a year passed, and this is what Meghan has to say... Hi, everyone. We've just celebrated our baby girl’s first birthday. I write letters to my children on their birthdays, and I felt this was a great one for sharing. Gabby's one year birthday letter is for the day she leaves home, telling her story and diagnosis from the beginning. It brought me to tears many times thinking about the past year and … [Read more...]
Too Young To Be So Sick: A Young Woman’s Battle With Graves’ Disease
As many of you know, my husband suffered through Graves' Disease. It was one of the worst things he has ever been through and it was devastating to watch. One of the more rewarding aspects of having opened up about our family's struggles with thyroid disorders is meeting other people who have been through the same things. Connecting with them and sharing with them has been so helpful to me, and I hope that it's helpful to you as well. I am honored to introduce you to Camilla Bevington: an incredible woman who was faced with the harshness of Graves' Disease at a young age. Her story will undoubtedly give you hope and courage as you face your own struggles or as you care for your children who are battling thyroid disorders. ~Blythe aka … [Read more...]
7 Lessons Chronic Illness Has Taught Me: A Retrospective Look at Hypothyroidism
Drum roll, please!! I am thrilled to share this Guest Blog Post by Sarah Downing with you. Sarah is a thyroid advocate and creator of the blog, Butterflies & Phoenixes, and is also the Blog Editor for ThyroidChange. She has great advice for those of us battling chronic illnesses. Treat yourself with patience and kindness. Whilst you probably wish you could get well overnight, in reality it may take months and sometimes years to experience “normalcy” again. Consider just how long it took you to get sick in the first place. This is a daunting thought, so take it one day at a time and celebrate each stepping stone of progress. Be kind to yourself on the days you are filled with frustration and despair because your mental outlook does … [Read more...]
Hypothyroidism in Children: Not So Rare After All!
I don't believe that there are coincidences. I believe that things happen for a reason. One of the best parts of having a website and blogging about thyroid disorders is that I have met some incredible people along the way. One of those people is Dawn. I don't think it was a coincidence that we "met" online. Her story is similar to mine in that she also has an entire family with thyroid disorders. As you will see, hypothyroidism in children is not as rare as you think. I am honored that she is willing to share her story here at Thyroid Mom. I hope you enjoy learning about her and from her. My name is Dawn. I’m a wife, mother, college student, housewife, and I sell jewelry in an online store. I also have Hashimoto’s. People are … [Read more...]
Autism and Congenital Hypothyroidism: Why Newborn Screening Matters
Although Newborn Screening Awareness month has passed, it is and will always be something that I will talk about on my blog. The key to saving children with congenital hypothyroidism is newborn screening. I am honored to share a personal story from Jessica Wade, a friend and fellow blogger, who I met through the MAGIC Foundation's private group for parents of children with congenital hypothyroidism. Her story is one of pain and heartbreak but also of hope and change. Jessica and I share a desire for more research, better screening standards and overall improved care of children with congenital hypothyroidism. You will learn from and be inspired by her story. Why is newborn screening for Congenital Hypothyroidism so important? Getting … [Read more...]
My Child Has Congenital Hypothyroidism: A New Mom Confronts the Diagnosis
I am Thyroid Mom. I have been talking to parents and grandparents of children who were diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism for several years now. Until this year, I had never met (face to face) with another mother of a child with congenital hypothyroidism. I had never met another child, another than my own, who had congenital hypothyroidism. Imagine my surprise when one day my endocrinologist said to me that she had a patient I needed to speak with. She told me that another patient of hers had just had a son diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism and that if it was okay with me, she'd like to pass my email address along to her other patient. A few months later, I met my friend Shelley and her son, Gavin. I am … [Read more...]
I’m a Pediatric Endocrinologist and My Son has Congenital Hypothyroidism
Imagine being a pediatric endocrinologist and getting the call that your newborn son has the same disorder that you treat. Well, that's exactly what happened to my guest blogger, Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger. I stumbled across her blog when I was doing research for my Wednesday Weekly Roundup and knew immediately that she's someone you would want to learn more from. I pleased to introduce her as my guest blogger today. Hello, Thyroid Mom readers! Blythe contacted me after reading on my blog (the SHU box) that I was in a rather unusual situation: I am a pediatric endocrinologist who treats thyroid disease every day at work, and I recently had a beautiful baby boy -- Cameron -- who was diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism. After a failed … [Read more...]
I was born with Congenital Hypothyroidism
Introducing Teresa Rodgers. Parents of children with congenital hypothyroidism, have you ever wanted to look into a crystal ball and see what the future holds for your child? I have. I worry a lot about what it will be like for them as they get older. Will they take their medication when they go off to college? Will puberty be more difficult for them? How can I make sure they stay healthy during those times? One of the best things about starting my blog is meeting other bloggers and thyroid advocates. This journey has introduced me to so many wonderful and amazing people, including Teresa Rodgers. Teresa, now in her mid twenties, was born with congenital hypothyroidism. I recently chatted with her and am thrilled to share her … [Read more...]