Iron Overload
I went to work at Port Neches-Groves High School in 1982. They required a physical for insurance purposed. I had heard good things about Dr. Rita Fields. When I went in for the initial appointment she required answers to an extensive personal and family history. I had the blood tests done that were required and went to work.
Then I get the call at work-highly unusual. Dr. Fields wants to speak to me. I suggested she call my home that afternoon. Precisely at 3:45 she called to say, “You have it.” I said, “Have what?” I didn’t know she had tested me for hemochromatosis. A normal iron ferritin is 100. Mine was over 1200. She said I must go to Houston. So I made an appointment with the doctor at the Diagnostic Clinic where Daddy had been. Dr. Conklin assured me that I did have hemochromatosis.
This meant therapeutic phlebotomies. I have extremely small veins and this idea didn’t sit well with me. All the time I was at least a little thankful that I wouldn’t have to live the life my dad lived until his death with this Celtic disease at 66.
My dear nurse friend, Stephanie, went with me to the blood center. They managed to get a vein and the process continued regularly until my ferritin levels came done.
Stephanie urged me to go to church while we had a “healer” there. I obliged. wishing but not thinking a prayer was going to change my genetics. Of course, it didn’t.
The one blessing in this was that it was caught before I had any organ damage.
I’ve had phlebotomies since then.
Hemochromatosis is a metabolic disorder in which your organs accumulate excess iron, leading to organ damage. Hereditary hemochromatosis affects one in 300 people in the United States. However, it often goes undiagnosed, partially due to its nonspecific symptoms.
Next entry in two weeks.
I raised three children as a single mother before I remarried. In 2007 I founded SMORE for Women, a nonprofit whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, and Empowered. I’m also a Certified Professional Coach and my stories have been published in several Christian books and magazines. My book, Living Learning Loving is available on Amazon. My Website.
gailshowalterblog.com 