And I asked- “Why am I so Thin?” And I Finally Got the Answer After 48 Years.

My Thyroid Ultrasound

Although much has been said about people who feel that they are overweight, often overlooked are people who feel that they are thin.

I could easily lose 10 lbs of weight by just skipping a lunch and a dinner while it would take me to four days just to gain back that much of weight. I remember myself, when I was in high school, pouring cooking oil on my rice, but to my dismay, the greasy feel of cooking oil mixed with rice didn’t suit my tastebuds. As soon as I engulfed the whole thing I immediately vomited everything on my plate.

In the pursuit of a heavier weight, I tried almost everything. Even to the point of drinking a whole adult dose of Anti helminthic drug thinking that I might have some intestinal parasites but nothing came out, nothing happened. So I visited a local clinic to take my Thyroid Profile.

And I finally got the result last Monday. Before the doctor can even say her diagnosis I have already discerned what her diagnosis would be. I had a glimpse of the lab result as the nurse waved it to my face as she beckoned me to the doctor’s little room. Her diagnosis was nothing more than just a confirmatory remark that I have indeed have the condition of Hyperthyroidism.

I told the doctor that I am BS Nursing graduate so she explained everything using the terms I am used to. My TSH (which is released by the Pituitary gland) is in normal level, but my T3 and T4 (both released by the Thyroid Gland) are significantly elevated. She suspected that there might be some growth of nodules or cyst or tumors in my thyroid. She let me palpate my thyroid with her. We didn’t feel anything but she wanted to be sure so she referred me to a hospital where she is affiliated.

YESTERDAY- I called the hospital and I was scheduled at 2PM. I texted everyone in my phonebook who were within the hospital’s vicinity to accompany me, but only Prinsesa Musang was kind enough to reply. I waited for her in our university since she was out dining with her family in a restaurant but I got really impatient so I left (texting her to just see me in the hospital) and went to the hospital at 1:30.

I went straight to the ultrasound room and knocked. The door was opened by a former classmate in RedCross training. She is the nurse. I smiled at her; she didn’t seem to recognize me so I said, “Remember, RedCross?” I showed her my RedCross Tshirt which I was wearing, “and I think we are friends in Friendster.” She looked at me inquiringly then looked at the referral I gave her; she saw my name and brightened up. She remembers my name but not my face (I remember her face but not her name). She asked what was my schedule so I said 2PM, she smiled yet again and said, “Of course you know how it is really is here, right. I know you are already aware that when the doctor says 2, that doesn’t mean that you’ll have your turn when the clock strikes two.” Memories of a child puking a bloody vomit on my face and a doctor that wouldn’t come came spinning back from my memories, I smiled back and said, “Of course, I do.”

I waited, and waited. At exactly 2 PM a doctor came from the ward and called a 12 or 13 years old girl inside. I was like, “wow, he was early.” I texted Musang to hurry up since the doctor was already there. I waited for my turn and for Musang.

Musang came at 2:32, the same time when the doctor has finally made the first sign of leaving. I was perplexed. Didn’t the nurse tell him that a patient was still waiting for him outside? Musang berated me that she still has a class with Maam Lugtu, our adviser in the only organization that we both joined in college. She called her and let her talk to me. I remember answering her question why it should be Musang who has to accompany me with a joke, “Para tumibay ang aming pagkakaibigan.hahaha” (To strengthen our Friendship)

And our friendship grew stronger as our asses finally take roots on our seats. Boy, I could have sworn seeing some leavessprouting out from our hair as we waited in eternity for my turn, until the doctor finally opened the door, carrying with him his little bag. He looked at me and walked straught to the exit. Now that really confused Musang as well, she told me to ask when my turn will be so I went inside the little room and asked. They said that my doctor has not come yet, and the doctor who looked at the 12 years old girl was an OB. It seemed that we were waiting for another kind of doctor, the kind of doctor that will kill an emergency case patient, not because of hemorrhage or complication, but of the long wait. It was already 3:15.

We waited and waited and waited until the doctor finally came at 4:00. The doctor seemed like in a hurry. He didn’t even say anything. He proceeded with the whole procedure which lasted for only 30 seconds. I paid the bills then they printed the result. The result was:

ULTRASOUND OF THE NECK

The Thyroid is normal in size and echopattern. The right lobe measures 3.6×1.2×1.0 cm while the left lobe measures 3.3×1.3×1.0 cm. No solid or cystic nodules evident.

Isthmus is unremarkable.

Both carotid and jugular vessels are unremarkable. No enlarged lymph nodes evident.

SUMMARY

Normal study.

That’s it! I waited for 2 and a half hours just to undergo a procedure that lasted only for 30 seconds. And I paid 700 Pesos for a result that is summarized by the phrase “NORMAL STUDY.” Anak ng putik, I NEED SOME JUSTICE!!!! Yes, I should be glad that the result is “NORMAL STUDY” but c’mon… I mean C’MON!!!

TODAY- I went to my doctor and gave her the Ultrasound result. She asked me if I was treated well, I said, “NO the doctor took ages to come.” She was quite embarrassed, especially she knows that I know what I am talking about – HELL I AM A NURSE.