Catching Up Part 2 - A Spinning FO and Health

I was beginning to think it'd never happen, but it did.  Last week, I finally finished spinning and plying the Campfire fiber I bought at Fiber Revival.  I not only bought that fiber at FR, but I spent that day spinning it and thought I was doing pretty well.  I spun nearly every day since, but it still took me over a month to spin just 4 ounces.  Sheesh! 

That's really okay though. It was a joy to spin; the colors were very soothing to me and the fiber (merino/silk) was so soft.  I think I've accomplished pretty darned close to what I was going for with this.

 
 
Fiber: Sereknity  70% Merino/30% Silk Colorway:  Campfire 2 ply; 22 wpi; 560 yards  

I'm not sure what to use this for. I initially was thinking about Abby, but that only requires about half the yardage I have here.  This is so nice that I want to use it all.  I'm thinking a lacy scarf, but it'll have to wait.  As you may have noticed, my last two lace projects haven't gotten very far; one was even frogged.

 

I haven't had the concentration level need for lace for quite some time.  I hope to regain that concentration very soon though.  Which brings me to the second part of this post.

 

To make a very long story short(er); I've been having some health issues for a while.  When I say for a while, I guess I really mean most of this year.  You may remember back in February when I was diagnosed with thyroiditis.  With this condition, the thyroid goes from being normal, to overactive,  to underactive, and back to normal.  This can last several months.  Back in May I was told everything looked good and to come back for bloodwork in September just to be sure the levels stayed normal. 

 

Well, for several months I've been having pain off and on in my hip area and muscles all over.  It got so bad that the pain was daily and  I wasn't able to sleep.  After I started noticing a lot of my hair in my hands after washing it,  I decided that instead of just having bloodwork done, I'd make an appointment to see the doctor.  Turns out that my thyroid levels did not come back to normal; I now have an underactive thyroid. 

 

This is no big deal; just take a pill every day.  I'm fine with that.  Turns out that the thyroid can cause all the other problems I've been having as well and after just over a week on the meds, I am already feeling a difference.  I actually had a couple of totally pain free days over the weekend.  Today's not as good, but at least I know it's just a matter of time before I feel good again.  I'm not really sure I remember what "good" feels like but I'm anxious to find out!

 

You're probably wondering how my not being able to do lace has anything at all to do with all that.  Well, turns out that lack of concentration is also a symptom of underactive thyroid, so I'm blaming my inability to do lace entirely on that. 

 

That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

Comments

[Carole]

I didn't realize you had been having health problems. I'm sorry to hear it but I'm glad to hear that things are improving. I hope you feel like your regular self really soon.

[Sarah]

That's some impressive yardage and some seriously pretty yarn!

I'm glad to hear that things are working out better health-wise. It's amazing how much one little organ can affect!

[Heather]

Hey Julie! That thyroid can be nasty business. I've had a few other friends go through awful times with it. I'm glad you are getting answers and feeling better. As for the spinning, it is gorgeous! That is some seriously fabulous work.

[marianne]

Julie! I'm so glad you went in to the doc and had more lab run, yikes woman! My mother, Bobby, and both his sisters no longer have their thyroid and take the supplement. I'm glad it can be helped with taking your little pills.
Of course, we'll be expecting to see some lace now ;^)
I saw your Campfire yarn on Ravelry last night, GORgeous! That's just some really happy yarn there! and that's some inspiring yardage you got out of it. Beautifully spun!
xox

[Colleen]

check out that yarn!! wooo wheee, 22wpi? awesome!

and who knew your thyroid could do all that stuff? crazy! hope it levels off soon and you get some concentration back.

[Karen]

Your yarn is stunning. I'm sure it'll tell you what it wants to be.
I've been taking thyroid pills for over 10 years and they really make a difference. I hope you feel better soon.

[Gina aka SleepyEyes]

Your handspun is wonderful! I can't wait to see what you knit up with it. Maybe create your own pattern???

I'm glad to hear that you found out what was making you feel so bad.

Sending you lots of healing energy to get better very soon!
xoxoxo

[Zonda]

Gorgeous handspun! ((hugs)) hoping you get back to feeling better soon, and more of a concentration span too :)

[Sheepish Annie]

Weird. I was just having the thyroid discussion with a parent yesterday and urging her to go back to the doc to have her kid's bloodwork checked. I'm so glad you went ahead and had yours done. No one should have to live with pain.

Or the lack of lace knitting...

[lisa]

Yikes Julie... but at least you know what the health issue is... sure beats being in the dark about a problem. And wicked beautiful yarn you made there!

[Brenda]

The yarn is gorgeous, and so soft in person!

I'm glad you're getting the thyroid under control. Next, lace knitting!

[Dana]

The Campfire is beautiful! I love the color and I'm sure you'll knit up something gorgeous with it.

I'm a hyperthyroid and I get my TSH checked every year (as recently as ten days ago). I understand from my hypothyroid family members that sometimes getting the right dosage to boost your level can be hit or miss at first. Once the right balance is struck, you'll feel good again. Hang in there sweetie!

[Debby]

I'm so glad you went to the doc to get checked and are on the road to pain free again. No one should have to suffer like that, esp. without lace. :) Seriously, my mother has hypothyroidism, so I know a little bit how finicky that can be.

[Cathy]

Hope you are pain free - and back to knitting lace. Love the handspun - good job!!

[Danielle]

Wow, that's some serious laceweight! Glad to hear that your health stuff is getting sorted out.

[Chris]

I'm glad you know what's up and that it's improving!

[~Kristie]

I know it's been awhile since you posted the information about your health problems, but if anyone has sympathy for you ... it's me. I didn't realize though that you could get pain from thyroid problems. Welcome to my world. I sure hope you've found some pain relief and things are on the mend. My thoughts are definitely with you. Hang in there.