Graves' Disease, a form of hyperthyroidism, in 2011, when my body was producing
too much thyroid hormone. It was the end of my 8th-grade year and my body
food than usual but not gaining weight. I also became itchy, hot and anxious, suffering
a noticeable increased heart rate, but not experiencing the typical changes of a girl of
fourteen. I was changing in other respects my eyes were becoming progressively larger,
bulging out, and I was developing a goiter in my neck. No one quite understood these
feelings or symptoms.
doctor and get some answers.
The diagnosis was hyperthy-
roidism. Although I did not
quite understand what the
disease entailed, I knew this
would have a big impact on
my life emotionally, physi-
cally and mentally. Due to the
stress of this thyroid condition,
I engaged in catastrophic
thinking, blaming myself
for the disease's develop-
ment, perhaps not exercising
enough, not eating the right
foods or getting enough sleep.
I was wrong; the disease is
hereditary. My pediatrician
referred us to a pediatric
endocrinologist and that was
when I began my journey with
Graves' Disease.
seeing the endocrinologist
every couple of weeks and was
referred to an ophthalmologist
for frequent eye exams. From
that point on, I knew I would
be on medication for the rest
of my life. The first step en-
tailed trying a few medications
to try to shrink my thyroid and
reduce my amount of thyroid
hormone production. I was put
on heart medicine to decrease
my heart rate, but a side effect
was significant weight gain
making me unrecognizable to
many people. My self-esteem
anxious, suicidal and self-con-
scious. The stress caused me to
feel as though I was not good
enough and no one would like
me because of the disease. By
September, when I entered
my first year of high school,
the upperclassmen looked at
me differently and made fun
of my bigger eyes and neck,
which also contributed to my
low self-image. I would return
home from school and vent
my anger and sadness on
family and friends in unaccept-
able ways screaming at my
parents, starting drama with
friends, slamming doors and
punching pillows. This form of
vetting is considered cathartic,
but it did not work; I was feel-
ing more frustrated than ever.
on the varsity soccer team.
Unfortunately, right before
practices began, my endocri-
nologist informed me that any
kind of rigorous activity would
dangerously increase my
heart rate. I was disappointed,
depressed, and didn't know
why I had to have this disease.
However, from the moment
I was told I could not play
soccer, I knew I had to change
how I thought about the
disease and change the way I
felt. I positively reinterpreted
the situation and decided not
team. Instead, I did what I
could to help and support
my teammates and, in return,
they helped, supported and
raised my spirits during these
difficult times in my life.
medications were shrinking
my thyroid sufficiently or
reducing the thyroid hormone
secretions, and my only option
was surgery to remove my
thyroid gland. My stomach
sank; I had never had surgery
before. I was nervous again,
frightened, not knowing what
to expect, but my incredible
support system remained
steadfast beside me. My
parents, friends and family
constantly reassured me that
everything would be okay, and
that I would not have to go
through this alone.
Rainbow Babies and Children's
Hospital to have a total thy-
roidectomy. I had never been
so scared in my entire life. I
had many anxious thoughts,
"What if I die?" "What if some-
thing goes wrong?" What if
I wake up during surgery?"
Although my parents could
tell I was frightened, I could
not express my true feelings
of dread to them. The combi-
nation of my extreme appre-
the condition increased my
heart rate, making it too high
to endure the surgery, and the
physicians suggested I return
a week later. As much as I did
not want the surgery, I also
wanted the entire process to
be over and behind me.
to express my feelings to my
wonderful support system. On
October 28, I went for the sur-
gery and contrary to my fears,
made it out alive. I did not
awaken during surgery and
nothing went wrong. Although
my recovery took months, I
eventually returned to my old
self, able to engage in rigorous
physical activity, motivated to
do well in school, and, best of
all, I was happy. I am still hap-
py and extremely grateful for
my friends, family and doctors
who helped me through this
rough patch in my life.
stress from the disease by
coping differently. Instead of
blaming myself, I could have
recognized from the start that
there was nothing I could have
done to impede the disease's
development. I could have
turned my negative thought
process around, recognizing
that I was unique to have
Graves' at this age. Instead of