“I Have My Life Back!”
Hyperparathyroidism can steal your quality of life. My mother was diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism 4 years ago and has spiraled downhill since. She was told to stay hydrated and that would control her serum calcium level because she was not a candidate for surgery. As time went on, my (now) 90-year-old mother was slowly losing her will to live. She would on some days stay in bed for 22 hours. Her family watched her withering away and could not figure out what was going on. After a neurology visit for dementia evaluation, the family was told that her problem was not neurological. She had aging short-term memory loss. We then went to the cardiologist thinking that this lack of will to live and deterioration of our precious mother was valvular related. He said no and sent her to another neurologist for consult. She was then diagnosed with mild impaired cognitive function and depression. My mother could no longer take care of herself literally. She could no longer cook and did not even have the energy to get dressed most days. All she wanted to do was stay in bed. If she wasn’t laying down, she complained of her back hurting. She would get a telephone call and could not remember what was discussed seconds after the call ended. Again, we could not understand it.
A lady that lived down the street had a daughter who had hyperparathyroidism and started talking about her daughter‘s symptoms and her upcoming surgery with Dr. John Kennedy. A bell literally went off and I thought she was talking about my mother. She put me in touch with her daughter and after talking to her I knew we had to get my mom help even at 90 years old. We met with Dr. Kennedy and begged him to consider my mother for surgery. He is an amazing person first of all and makes you feel like part of his family. His office staff is nothing short of amazing too. After he reviewed the information and test results of my mother, he met with her and said that he would do the surgery. It was worth the risk to my mother as she was already dying a slow and painful death as we watched her helplessly until we met Dr. Kennedy.
On January 25, 2022, my mother had a large parathyroid gland removed. She has done amazing, and the surgery was a success. The day she had her surgery, we could already tell a difference in her cognition. She could remember things that were going on around her. She even looked 10 years younger, and her eyes were sparkling again. It was nothing short of a miracle! 7 days out of surgery and I got my mom back! She is smiling, laughing, getting dressed every day, participating in conversation, initiating conversation, moving around with a purpose, eating better, she is happy, and her energy level has skyrocketed! Her words today, “I have turned a page and I feel like I have my life back”. Thank you, Dr. Kennedy, for your dedication, skill, knowledge, and superb care of my mother. You are a remarkable doctor and human being! Forever grateful sir!
Sincerely,
Karen
