The story of Catherine
I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2014. I had a total thyroidectomy, and while in the hospital recovering, they realized my calcium levels were extremely low/non-existent. I had several labs done post-op and my PTH was undetectable. I was discharged with hopes that my PTH levels would eventually come back up and I would have fully functioning parathyroid glands again. Six months later, further blood tests confirmed I had chronic hypoparathyroidism.Â
I have learned to live with this new normal, and have found doctors who understand this disease well and know how to manage it. I feel fortunate that I was able to get pregnant twice and deliver two healthy boys since my diagnosis. While the extra doctor visits and feeling of pill burden can weigh on me at times, I certainly feel blessed to have found good medical care since my diagnosis and feel lucky to not have extreme symptoms. I realize this is a new way of living for me, and hoping that one day more research and science will allow for improved pharmaceutical treatments for this disease. Until then, I hope to be an advocate for hypoparathyroidism and raise awareness for this rare disease.