Thyroid . . . and Me

By Jitka Malec

This article appeared in the Fall, 2004 issue of in touch. Names in the article were used with permission.

Sitting at the computer, I am realizing, that I feel myself again - for the first time since I had my thyroid removed 3+ weeks ago.

My thoughts go back to the spring. I was reluctant to allow someone, once again, to remove a part of my body. I felt rebellious. I thought, "You guys, all you want is a body to cut, fix, replace and remove parts! Forget it–not me!"

Then - as expected - I started doing some thinking. I went away for five weeks trusting that after my return I would know what to do. And I did. The answer was "Yes" to the surgery.

It is interesting to observe what happens when one "sets the intent out there" and asks for guidance. People say things, events happen, body is happy someone listens, guts do their piece, dreams pitch in. I often told others, that surgery has its place in our healing. Now I knew it.

I had little time to contact my family. I had to tell them serious news in the past. This time it should be different. We are all grown up. But when I saw their dear faces, the unbearable wave of pain and sadness flooded me. We went through a lot together. We became stronger together. They taught me . . . and here we are again.

A day prior to the surgery, I had a Therapeutic Touch™ session from Dorothy Salmon. The anxiety subsided and I felt ready. The next day I meditated till I was wheeled into the operating room and went "under" peacefully. Surgery went smoothly. There were many friends with me in the operating theatre. I wondered whether the surgeon noticed the crowding!

I had the most loving support I could have asked for. My family and my Therapeutic Touch friends stood by and I felt safe. I received sessions from the London Therapeutic Touch Hospital Team, Therapeutic Touch Distant Team and other friends.

I realized how thoughtlessly chosen words can affect someone who faces life challenges. Such a person is highly sensitive and suggestible. I knew that most people mean well. In an effort to be helpful they just say what comes first to the mind.

I was told about a horrible experience someone had with this surgery. I was asked if I become mentally compromised after I am "on pills". Health secrets have been revealed to me, because now I would understand. Someone inquired about my "throat chakra issues", have I ever dealt with them? It plainly hurt, even though I knew they did not know any better. Mind you, none of this came from my Therapeutic Touch friends.

My little granddaughter lightened me up. She asked whether the doctors had to cut my whole head off and put it back again. Also, she wanted to know, if she could have my shells after I die. I am glad I can die knowing they are in good hands!

It is great to get a monthly session at the Practice Group, one leaves relaxed, refreshed and peaceful. Now I had a chance to personally experience how profoundly one benefits from the sessions when unwell. In my situation however, I felt like huge magical loving feathers were gently passing through my field, putting me back in a sweet peaceful, painless restful sleep. I knew all was well and in order. I felt joyful and was thankful. All this was most noticeable in the first days after the surgery.

When Ellen treated me in the Recovery Room, a zealous nurse was trying to read her name tag. She said "Ellen" and then "Edmondson" while writing it down. At that moment, sadly, I became a traitor. Even though I was heavily sedated and only dimly aware of Ellen's presence, I vigorously nodded. With little more prompting, I would have revealed Ellen's address and phone number, marital status, all I knew! Ellen still chuckles when she talks about it, she finds it rather amusing. But I am pondering about the quality of my character!

In terms of pain management, I had one tablet of Tylenol #3 about 6 hours after surgery and one tablet of Tylenol Extra Strength after another 12 hours. That was it. How heavenly, my mind was clear, I was steady, could turn and move my head, had NO constipation (only a person with neck surgery can appreciate this and only a nurse, such as I, can publicly share it).

I had good nursing care overnight and the next afternoon my family took me home. It was my birthday, and they stayed with me, even though I wasn't much company.

Maria Tsaoussis came to give me a session. I took her into an adjacent room, she treated me and quietly left. I fell into blissful sleep once again and when I woke up, the apartment was dark and quiet. I thought that I slept too long and my family left. They did, but into "dreamland". One session put to sleep 4 people, 3 of them through the wall! And I, the one who was anesthetized, had to wake them up! If I were a scientist, I would seriously look into it. Maybe something about Maria . . .?

I had two more wonderful treatments from Dorothy and Ellen. I knew when my friends or someone from Donna Zavitz' Team treated me from a distance. I felt like I was being "nursed on demand" (a practice of nursing the baby each time when it is fussy). Whenever a need arose, the feelings of support, reassurance and loving presence flooded me till I was filled. All sorts of discomfort disappeared, and once again, I knew that all was well. If this is not a miracle, what is?

I meditated daily and on the third post-op day began doing modified yoga. Although I treated myself to various healing methods nothing could beat Therapeutic Touch. In the first few weeks my energy levels were unstable due to the lack of thyroid hormone in my blood. I could feel very low within minutes. So, no matter where I was, driving in the car or doing errands, I used my FIRST AID INSTANT THERAPEUTIC TOUCH. No hands needed.

Here is my way of doing it:

First, I relax neck and head muscles. Correct my posture, take A deep breath, maybe A few sips of water. Next I connect to the Earth and to the Universal Source. Now I am plugged in! It is like going to the gas (energy) station. Fill my spleen with prana, unruffle gently (in my mind). That way the adrenals get their bit too. Use deep blue to align the throat chakra (important in my case!) Sometimes it reverberates in the solar plexus - clearing helps. Clear and sweep the whole system with a few deep breaths. Remind the field that it can replenish the energy on its own, at any time. Smile and thank. The whole procedure takes maximum 30 seconds.

I had to use it on my way to our Practice Group. At that time I was just over two weeks post-op. On my arrival everyone commented on how radiant I looked. I told them about the surgery only later in the evening.

My constant drive for "doing" is absent. I am thankful for beauty around me and a peace within. Every evening when I count my blessings I am amazed, how much can happen in one uneventful day and a deep gratitude fills me. I feel strong and ready to step out and see what life has in store for me.

In the hours of solitude, I am asking myself, what was the meaning of the work I did in the past 11 years? What did I learn? Was I continuing in my habitual nursing line of work, did I need Therapeutic Touch to consider myself valuable? Did I have to find others to spoon the fulfilment into my heart? Is that why I did thousands of treatments and taught intensively?

During my recovery I slowly recognized, that the well is within me, refilled endlessly by my own substance. There is no need to labour hard to keep it full. It IS full. There is always plenty, no matter how much I give. All I need is to know this with my heart.

When a practitioner becomes ill, the question inevitably arises: why did it happen to her? It can imply that there is a hidden infirmity. It may evoke a fear in some. Was it the work which caused the illness?

There is a little understanding and many theories as why one becomes ill. Is it possible to reverse illness by positive thinking, affirmations, imagery, self work etc etc? I like to think that yes, it is. Can everyone do it? Of course not, for many reasons. Dora Kunz, among others, claims that even devas (angels) in their helping missions are limited by our karma. Carolyn Myss suggests that Biology follows our Contract. Great sages and healers die of the same illnesses as the rest of us do. It seems to me that pain and suffering are a part of our human heritage. We are grown by an Universal Gardener. Again and again our growth has to be corrected by pruning, so the new, fresh, strong and healthy branches can sprout forth. That's why change and challenge hurts!

To me, Therapeutic Touch is the Doorway to Healing. I passed through that door in 1993 and never looked back. I want to keep learning. I am willing to be pruned. It is my hope, that those experiences will help me to become a better person, practitioner and teacher.

Jitka Malec, RN, RT lives in London, Ontario.

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