Square Piece wants to know what benefits Momma has seen from her visits with the “which” doctor.
I’m glad you asked, Square Piece!
When I had Donovan, many moons ago, I knew it would take a while to recover from the loss of blood (three pints) and the physical effects of having had a caesarian (my first and only of the five pregnancies) while still battling fibromyalgia (going on seven years at that time). So, when I started to experience new symptoms, like hair loss, dry skin, feeling cold (even when the room was 90 degrees from the wood stove while wearing a flannel nightgown and buried under comforters), I just figured it was tied in to the fibromyalgia or my recovery from having Donovan.
However, eventually I began to notice that I had a lump in my throat and it was not going away. I found myself uncomfortable with anything around my neck and I no longer wanted to wear turtlenecks, so something was definitely off. When I started to have difficulty swallowing, I decided that I needed to see my family physician. His response, “Well, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see you have a goiter, Mrs. Armstrong!” He said it wasn’t uncommon after a pregnancy, but asked if anyone else in the family had thyroid problems. I didn’t think so, but after talking to my dad, I discovered that both he and my grandmother had low thyroid and were taking a daily prescription for it. So I resigned myself to having to do the same … for the rest of my life.
Enter Dr. Bartlett just a few months ago, who not only has gotten me completely off of my thyroid medicine, but is also fixing a whole host of other problems that I had been experiencing now that I am post-menopausal. She confirmed some things that I was second-guessing (I really need to stop doing that), such as a hiatal hernia and some food allergies. All without expensive lab work!
Recently, Mandy and I cleaned out Charley’s work room, which had not been used in quite some time. Suffice it to say that next time I will wear a mask. The following day I woke up with my throat on fire and discovered upon my visit with Dr. B that a bacteria had settled into my throat. She immediately formulated the right supplements and the bacteria worked its way out of my body without the use of antibiotics. YAY!!!
I really appreciate Dr. B’s personalized touch with my individualized treatment plans and that she adjusts each supplement to meet my immediate needs during every appointment, rather than ordering a prescription for the rest of my life with only minor adjustments based on annual blood tests. She does not do blood work; she just knows what my body needs during each visit. For example, one week I might need three of one pill and the next only one and then it might get dropped altogether. I’m very optimistic about our future goals for me losing weight and gaining even more energy.
I’m so so happy for you that you can get along without prescription thyroid medicine right now. I knew that if she could help Yvonne, she could help you, too!
I was especially encouraged the other day when you were holding Bennett in an awkward position, but didn’t have to shake out any hand cramps when you were done. Good, good.
Love you, Momma!
This morning, she asked how the headaches were, and I had to stop and think … then I said, “I don’t seem to have those lately.” 🙂 My fingernails are greatly improved, no more deep ridges that make me think they’re going to split open. 🙂 We made some minor adjustments in the supplements I’m taking and she said to come back in a month. That’s the other thing I like about her … she doesn’t want to see you if you don’t need to be seen.
I should probably mention that I also pray that God will direct her and give her wisdom during each visit, so that I’m getting the absolute best care, with His touch of grace.
I remember the days when mom wore turtlenecks. They were always sprinkled with flowers or festive with holiday patterns. I forgot about those until now. 🙂 I also remember when mom first got her pain in the neck. Wow. I’m so glad that Dr. Barlett knows what she is doing and can really, truly help mom with all these conditions. It takes a lot of time to undo what we have done to our bodies over time. Plus, I’m super stoked that she has me in optimum health. Yeah! Now if I could just bring myself to exercise. 😛
Oh yeahhhhhhh… the turtlenecks with tiny little designs on them…
Boy the ‘which’ doctor always sounds so wonderful to me. I hope I get a chance to visit her one day. Hope all
of your problems remain fixable and you feel terrific.
Thanks! you’re more than welcome to join me on a visit and see how she operates 🙂