 | I always felt life was a struggle. My energy levels were never high, with only fleeting moments of feeling energised. At 16 years of age I began to have a thyroid condition and a goitre was already evident at that time. I was tired, lacking energy and motivation. I also became aware that I was depressed. I didn’t seek help because of the shame of having a mental illness. |
I didn’t go to a doctor for my thyroid because:
1. I didn’t believe in doctors, and,
2. I had the belief that I just needed to put up with it. Back in those days people didn’t go to a doctor very often. I only went twice to a doctor up until I was 14.
My mother hated doctors, I never really knew why but I found out recently that my grandmother had a mole on her breast and the doctor didn’t discuss with her what he was going to do before he removed her breast.
When we were little we weren’t allowed to whinge or cry. Dad used to say, “Stop or I will give you something to cry for,” and mum would say, “Good little soldiers don’t cry.” So, you learnt very quickly how to put up with things and not complain.
And for me, if I had anything going on in my body I would just accept it and put up with it, hence my not seeing to my thyroid condition.
As a stay-at-home mum with four kids, I had to function at a high level. I was also in a partnership with my husband operating a farm, as well as being the office manager.
My attitude to doctors gradually changed because in 2009 I found Universal Medicine and realised that it advocates the combining of medical practices along with Natural Therapies. Eventually an esoteric practitioner encouraged me to open my mind up to the possibility of seeing a medical doctor. Still the change in my thinking took a while.
At age 61, I began my private house cleaning and gardening business. I well remember, after a four hour clean I would come home feeling exhausted and having to shower because of being totally wet from perspiration – and that was with having a 10-minute break in the middle of the clean.
I realised I needed to do something about my thyroid condition. Once I decided to address it, I found a doctor who did a saliva test which is an accurate way to diagnose the condition, and I started taking the prescribed medication.
At the beginning of this year, I slipped over at work and smashed my wrist and I had to have surgery and have a plate inserted. When I went back to work after three months off I realised how hard I was in my body when I was cleaning, I used to work very fast prior to the fall. So now I am cleaning in a much gentler and measured way. I only realised a few months ago that I breezed through last summer without my body overheating.
Now, at 65 and being past the so-called ‘retirement’ age, I don’t want to retire.
This change has happened because I have chosen to look after myself, eat a healthy diet and aim to be in bed by 8:30pm.
Taking care of myself like this and taking the thyroid medication has supported me so I now have the energy to keep working.
By looking after myself, I feel amazing and the sixties are a great time in my life, with so much to look forward to.
Julie H., Australia
1. I didn’t believe in doctors, and,
2. I had the belief that I just needed to put up with it. Back in those days people didn’t go to a doctor very often. I only went twice to a doctor up until I was 14.
My mother hated doctors, I never really knew why but I found out recently that my grandmother had a mole on her breast and the doctor didn’t discuss with her what he was going to do before he removed her breast.
When we were little we weren’t allowed to whinge or cry. Dad used to say, “Stop or I will give you something to cry for,” and mum would say, “Good little soldiers don’t cry.” So, you learnt very quickly how to put up with things and not complain.
And for me, if I had anything going on in my body I would just accept it and put up with it, hence my not seeing to my thyroid condition.
As a stay-at-home mum with four kids, I had to function at a high level. I was also in a partnership with my husband operating a farm, as well as being the office manager.
My attitude to doctors gradually changed because in 2009 I found Universal Medicine and realised that it advocates the combining of medical practices along with Natural Therapies. Eventually an esoteric practitioner encouraged me to open my mind up to the possibility of seeing a medical doctor. Still the change in my thinking took a while.
At age 61, I began my private house cleaning and gardening business. I well remember, after a four hour clean I would come home feeling exhausted and having to shower because of being totally wet from perspiration – and that was with having a 10-minute break in the middle of the clean.
I realised I needed to do something about my thyroid condition. Once I decided to address it, I found a doctor who did a saliva test which is an accurate way to diagnose the condition, and I started taking the prescribed medication.
At the beginning of this year, I slipped over at work and smashed my wrist and I had to have surgery and have a plate inserted. When I went back to work after three months off I realised how hard I was in my body when I was cleaning, I used to work very fast prior to the fall. So now I am cleaning in a much gentler and measured way. I only realised a few months ago that I breezed through last summer without my body overheating.
Now, at 65 and being past the so-called ‘retirement’ age, I don’t want to retire.
This change has happened because I have chosen to look after myself, eat a healthy diet and aim to be in bed by 8:30pm.
Taking care of myself like this and taking the thyroid medication has supported me so I now have the energy to keep working.
By looking after myself, I feel amazing and the sixties are a great time in my life, with so much to look forward to.
Julie H., Australia