Dolores Story

My story began in September 2019, but after research it probably began many years before when my calcium was high and my doctors did not understand I had hyperpara. My surgery was complicated, and although they took out two very tumorous glands, the remaining two were damaged, which left me with hypopara. In addition, my right vocal cord was paralyzed. For the past 4+ years I’ve struggled maintaining the right levels of calcium. I’ve experienced lots of laryngeal spasms, tingling and paresthesia along with other symptoms, which has led me to many specialist for testing. Most recently my calcium intake has been lowered and I am feeling some what better, but my ability to function as I did before has diminished.

The disease has taken its toll on my life and I am not always as strong as I want to be. Both physically and mentally. However, in July 2020, I started climbing New Hampshire’s 4,000 footer mountains and out of 48, I am currently at 27 due to life’s little blips. Hiking these mountains is my only real accomplishment since I became hypopara. I turned 70, in January 2024. It’s not how I imagined I’d age. In August, I’m seeing a new endocrinologist I’ve waited nearly a year to see. I’m hoping they can help me improve my quality of life for the years I have remaining. Also, all of us with hypopara are blessed to have this association to lean on for support.