Weekly Recap

This week I am watching an extra toddler.  Tuesday was the first day.  The boys went to the farm with Dad so the girls and I had the house to ourselves.  I admit to being a little nervous, but the day went great.  I was even able to get some laundry and house cleaning accomplished.  Bear had a playmate her age and the Twinks are on somewhat of a predictable schedule.  Crowning Glory was four little girls 2 and under napping at the same time. Thursday and Friday I will have my extra girly as well. Monday I might her big brother as well who is in the Big D's class.

Wednesday the family and I headed to Miles City for a long put off Doctor Appointment.  At this point the top 2 theories are:

1.  My body doesn't break down T4 to T3 properly (a thyroid thing).  All of my tests show everything is normal with all thyroid levels.  I have had my thyroid tested 14-16 times since junior high.  However it is possible I am not able to properly convert to be used. So I have many hypothyroid symptoms and effects.  To test this I am taking Liothyronine (T3 replacement) 3 times a day on an empty stomach.  If I feel like my heart is going to explode out of my chest and start having hyperthyroid symptoms, then this theory is incorrect.
2. The neurological symptoms could also indicate MS.

However with a strong family history of thyroid disorders and the fact that there is a large symptom overlap between MS and Hypothyroid, my doctor is leaning towards scenario 1.  I will have bloodwork done in 6 weeks and we will go from there.  Likely making medication adjustments over weeks and months. 

Day 1 of Liothyronine: The effects last about 2 hours.  I feel like I have drank several gallons of coffee, lots of energy though I would describe it as nervous energy.  I feel fidgety and restless, but my brain fog is lifted and I can gets lots accomplished. Maybe I am so used to feeling tired I don't know what it feels like to have normal energy levels?  It is hard to sit still.  I can feel the effects wear of and feel really tired and dream of taking a nap.  I have alarms set on my phone to remember to take the medicine at the same time.  I am changing my eating habits from 5 small meals to 3 regular meals and am trying not to snack in between and waiting at least an hour to eat after taking the medicine.

Thursday went well.  The two little toddlers play really well together.  The Big D was also home, which meant big brother wasn't as impressed with more little girls getting into his things. Today, both boys are home and 6 kids in my little house already at 9:30am have me feeling the effects of cabin fever.  If I can get the Twinks down for a nap at the same time, I plan on taking the bigger 4 out to play in the snow.  If not I will eagerly look forward to naptime for all 4 girls and send the boys outside to play in the snow by themselves. 

We live across the street from an empty lots next to the church.  The city crew plows the streets and pushes lots of snow mounds that are perfect for kids to slide and climb and play.  Plus I can look out a variety of windows and keep an eye on the kids.  We also have a block full of children so the neighborhood kids all come out and play.  Having kids reminds me of how much I used to love snow and winter.  They come in with rosy cheeks demanding hot chocolate and occasionally I can get cuddles out of them while we read books.