Yeah! You read that correctly…. I was pouring sweat today, like everywhere. And yes, I am excited and happy! I am loving it!!! So here is the crazy story….. Fact: When you have Hashimoto’s disease, you are cold so much that you really don’t ever sweat. Like never…… Now you might think how great that is, and okay, in summer maybe it is somewhat…. But you never have the benefits of sweating either. Summer? Okay… But……September through April, you wear as many clothes as you can get on. Winter months I wear a tank top, a thermal shirt, a regular top, a sweater, two pairs of socks, and long underwear, every single day…I used to get so cold I felt immovable… No amount of warm beverages or blankets makes it better…. Constantly cold…… Until Dr. Jack and this winter.
This winter I felt better, not like an ice cube all the time and that was great but not nearly as great as today.
So, here is what happened today. I went to see Kelly, who has been helping me with my skin issues. She has helped so much and my icky loose skin has improved so much. And as part of the treatment she gives me, I sit in the sauna for awhile. I have done it before and I get warm, but I never sweat much. All along Dr. Jack kept telling me the same thing, “You will.” Well, seven months and it was the always the same. I get warm, maybe a little like glisten, not really sweaty. Once in while, I would get a little on my arm, nothing like sweating, not like real people who sweat. Until today……today, what a great day!
Today, I go to see Kelly, and like always, she hands me a couple of towels that I never use when I got into the sauna. I got in, sat there like ten minutes, and I had an itch on my arm. And that’s when I felt it…. Wet. Wet?? Why is my arm wet?? Immediately I looked up, thinking there is a leak in this thing? Water coming from somewhere?? I stood up and felt the top, no water. Sat down and felt the other arm….And then it hit me…..its sweat. Sweat?? I haven’t sweat in like twenty five years!! No lie!! This can’t be sweat, I never ever sweat. Then I felt my face…. Sweat! Then I felt my chest, and my back, and the tops of my feet. I got huge crocodile tears. I am sweating…I am actually sweating…..I wiped a few tears, because you know what this means right??? I am getting more normal!! Every week I get more normal!! Like real people!!
I sat there thinking this is just a momentary thing so I wiped it off and sat watching my arm…. There it came again… Glistening…. Then I felt my legs….sweat… My chest… Sweat…..this is the best thing ever!!! And the tears were running down my face…. Sweat! This is the most awesome thing ever! I realized that the last couple of weeks, it has been coming. I opened the windows in my classroom and took off my sweater, asking the kids, “Is it hot in here or am I getting ill?” I started wearing short sleeves to Walmart. I have been drinking more. I have been asking people,”Are you warm?”
I sat in the sauna thinking that I am actually using the towels for the first time! This rocks!! I got out when the time was up and looked down, and saw my pants were wet, like I had run a marathon! How ever loving great is this!! I looked at my shirt…… Wet!!….. My hair was kinking up… And yeah, I admit it, I cried. I told Kelly….. She is such a sweet person, she was so happy for me, although confused at first. “Havent you sweat in there before?”
I bet you take sweating for granted. And maybe you get annoyed. I bet you think girls shouldn’t have to sweat!! Me?? I feel like I just got the best Christmas gift in the world! I hope this summer, I am a hot sweaty mess! Like dripping…. Like working outside and come in covered!! Like normal people!!! I can’t wait. I texted Dr. Jack. He understands I am a bit weird but he always is kind to share the excitement that comes from losing another Hashimoto symptom. Bring on the heat!! He texted back all kinds of smiley faces and thumbs up. He has gotten used to my crazy texts.
I don’t care if I glisten the whole summer. I don’t care if I am dripping wet!! This is completely and totally the best word ever…..NORMAL!!
Dr. Jack?? You were right, and I was wrong, again…… It just keeps getting better and better all the time doesn’t it?? Sweat! Love it!!