[DianneW]

#1072383

What wonderful, wonderful answers so far! Posts like this are great support for newly diagnosed people who must be feeling scared and angry (at least, that’s how I felt in the beginning). Please everyone, keep thinking on this topic and add your own thoughts.

I’ll add mine later when everyone else has had a chance. I have a VERY LONG LIST!

HUGS for all,

Dianne

[RhondaG4]

#1072384

I think the best positive for me was actually having a Dx…..that I wasen’t really loosing my mind…it wasen’t all in my head…..and all my symtoms weren’t from my previous stroke…brain bleed kind. There is a reason my "body" seems to have lost its’ collective mind!!! I wanted to go back to Dr’s and actually say….."I told you something wasen’t right!"

[belldandy112]

#1072385

I forgot the most positive thing post-GD — my "therapy" animal. He’s a red Somali cat named Lennox Lewis (after the fighter). I think that he and my other Somali (my ex got custody of her when we divorced) were responsible for lowering my blood pressure and getting me to sleep at night. There’s something soothing about being flanked by purring bodies.

I’d sworn off pets after my first kitty died … but the "puffs" gave something to get up for in the morning (especially when they were little). AND … they don’t care how I feel, what I look like, or what my labs results look like. Unconditional love helps when you’re feeling down.

>”<

Melissa
Austin, TX

[ridefamily]

#1072386

I have learned that my husband loves me and at a depth that i never could have imagined!!
I have also learned that the color blue makes me happy, 37 years and never knew that!!

[hyperm]

#1072387

This is a nice post and some great replies.

1.I have learned to try and be more patient with myself.
2.I have allowed myself to become more open about how this has affected my life and not try to keep up the persona of super woman!
3.I have certainly become more assertive – which was a huge issue for me , I could never say no to others demands – now I’m practically being assertive ” title=”Very Happy” />
4. Where possible I have taken charge of my own healthcare – keeping a record of my results rather than the receptionist at the GP surgery telling me "everything looks ok".
5. I have learned to take a day at a time and on the bad days – a moment at a time.
6.I was so frightened of thyroid storms and now feel stronger that I survived one!
7.I have learned not to take health for granted.
8.I have always been a compassionate person but this latest experience has really humbled me and made me thankful for small mercies.
9. I am made contact with some wonderful people on this forum, whom without I really would have struggled to come through the latest hurdle.
10. I know that after coming through all the downs of this disease- 2 miscarriages ” title=”Sad” /> , feeling awful, thyroid storm that I am so much stronger and thankful to God for bringing me through it all.

m x

[Kimberly]

#1072388

Giving this post a "bump", as it has some great info…

[teacherhelper]

#1072389

I have "met" some really great people who have and are experiencing the same things. "cyber" friends can offer so much support. I have learned that God is in control, and nothing I do will ever change that. Prayer is the best medicine. Since my RAI I’ve learned that things definitely do get better. I’ve learned that baby steps in the wellness department can be HUGE!

Joanie

[Ewenme]

#1072390

Doing this poll was a great idea, esp. considering that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. I had to think about what good has come out of my diagnosis. At first I thought, ‘you must be kidding,’ but as I thought about it these are some things I came up with:
1. Early diagnosis, thanks to a very competent GP
2. Very supportive and understanding husband and family.
3. The knowledge that God is in control and allows everything for a reason.
4. For how this has forced me to rely on God every day–which I tend not to do when all is well.
4. For how this will make me more compassionate to others with this and other problems and health challenges.
5. For the closer bond I have with my Mom, who has had GD since ’94. I must say I never fully appreciated what she was going through and never took it upon myself to learn about the disease until I also was diagnosed.

Thanks for encouraging all of us (esp me) to think more positively.

Joy

[Ewenme]

#1072391

One more thing…
6.All the great folks I’ve met on this board, whom I wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Joy

[fkilpatrick]

#1072392

Very thought provoking……I love all the answers….
……….you’d think nothing good could ever come from something that plays such havoc on our lives. But there’s always something, just have to really think about it once (some of) the storms have passed and you can think straight again.
For me, after struggling with graves for over 5 years now I’m finally on the downhill slope.
I’ve learned to de-stress – so very important for me! I’ve discovered a new creative hobby which I can take up on the the days my eyes feel good and let sit when they’re hurting too much. I’ve learned that you have to be your own support group; that it’s okay to take a nap when you come home from work or on your lunch hour; it’s okay to let the dishes sit in the sink till the next day; it’s okay to pamper yourself in whatever way you can manage; that doctors really don’t know everything and I have to investigate, learn for myself & question. I’ve learned that while I can never go back to what I once was
the person I’m becoming is very worthwhile too……. ” title=”Very Happy” />
And, last but not least, I’ve discovered this group, which has helped through so much of the dark days! Thank you all!!

[saumya]

#1072393

I’ve learned that I can get through more than I ever thought possible.
I’ve learned patience.

I know that keeping a good outlook is imperative when fighting a disease. But day after day for the rest of your life?! Now I know I can do it. I can smile and be cheerful even with my pain. A part of me does get grumpy when other people exclaim "Oh, you sound so cheerful/look fine/are smiling, you must be doing well!" — that just gets me to be more patient. GD sucks but I am happy and will be in the future.

[Louisa]

#1072394

I was diagnosed in Dec.2005 and in April 06 I had rai, I know now that I had Graves years before I was diagnosed.
I had all the symptoms and more, three months later I was hypo, it took 3 yrs to get adjusted on the right dose for
me. Today I am closer to my normal, the normal I remember, somtimes I forget what my normal felt like because
I still have racing thoughts and sometimes brain fog.
The positive for me is, I am closer to God, I could not have made it through what I endured with out Him,I called
on Him constantly, I asked Him daily for His strenght to get through another day. I am much stronger today then
I was before the nightmare of Graves, while I was Hypo and crying, God gave me a song. Praise The Lord. ” title=”Very Happy” />

[jlnay]

#1072395

For me it was learning that when you feel like something is not right with your mind or body to pay attention and find out what is wrong. I was feeling off from 2005-2007 and did nothing only to find out it was Graves. I will always pay attention now ” title=”Smile” />

[Author]

Posts