I was eight when we finally realized there was a problem. A simple check up, turned into multiple trips to the children's hospital in Indianapolis.

I seemed to be a normal child. I played like one, talked like one, ate like one, and went to school like one. In school, I would strive to get good grades. Outside of school, I would play with my siblings and friends, and like any kid, cause chaos for my mom. I was happy.

I may have been a happy child, but there were also many problems I was struggling with. I was eight years old, and underweight. I ate constantly though, but I could not gain weight. I also did not sleep. I was a restless sleeper and everyday I would get about three to four hours of sleep. Then there were problems with my left eye bulging out, and my vision was starting to deteriorate. I was struggling with these aspects for many years, but as I got closer to finally being diagnosed, I had started getting worst symptoms.

If I didn't eat before I went to sleep, I would wake up and feel faint. I would feel as though I could not walk. If I tried walking, at any point I would drop on the floor. I felt terrible because no one would believe me. They all thought I was being lazy. I started to feel alone. That is when depression came into play. I started becoming depressed, and at the age of eight, that did not seem normal. When things started progressing, my mom finally scheduled the check-up that would change my life.

We told my doctor all the symptoms, and he told me to raise my head. He started feeling at my throat, and he then told us that I may have Grave's disease. He ordered for me to be taken to get blood work done and over the next nine months, I was in and out of the doctor's office. When I finally went down to Riley's Children's Hospital for treatment, they told me I would have to drink radioactive iodine and take a few pills. This would ultimately get rid of my thyroid.

Here I am now, eight years later. I now have to take Synthroid to replace my thyroid. I will have to take this for the rest of my life, or my health could be at risk. Every six weeks I have to get blood work done to see if the medicine is at the right dosage. I still deal with depression though. My weight is changing constantly and because of this I have many troubles with my view on body image. I may not have it as bad as others, but this event was a milestone that changed my life and will affect me for the rest of my life.

Every person you meet in life has went or will go through something. They may not seem different, but who knows, maybe they are missing something inside of them, that you may have. Those of you dealing with a thyroid issue, just know you are not alone in this journey. There have been people in your place who are more than willing to speak to you. You will never be alone. This is my story. One day, you will have your own.