As I turn 41 with hypopara, I’m eager for what the future holds

As I cross off the days on the calendar leading up to my 41st birthday on Monday, I can’t help but think about how this year feels so different from the last several.

I celebrated my 40th birthday last year in March, finally stable as part of the Yorvipath (palopegteriparatide) expanded access program (EAP), and well enough to travel to New York City with three of my siblings, my partner, and a few friends to see plays on Broadway and for me to sign books at The Ripped Bodice, a romance-only bookstore.

It was a bucket list trip, taken early not just because of the timing of the shows, but because we didn’t know how long I’d get to stay on the EAP if Yorvipath didn’t get market approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If it was denied and the EAP terminated, I would be in a serious health position, one that kept me worrying through months of delays.

Luckily, Yorvipath was approved in the U.S. in August, and the dread that I wouldn’t make it to my actual 40th birthday subsided.

Two months later, for round two of my birthday celebrations, I journeyed back to Broadway with my partner and friends to see Sam Gold’s “Romeo + Juliet,” starring some of my favorite actors. Yorvipath had been approved, I was doing well, and life felt like lightning in a bottle. That trip has become a touchpoint for when I need the courage to do hard things.

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Unfortunately, that trip marked the ending of my joyful year. A dear friend with hypoparathyroidism entered hospice the week of the presidential election, and then a few days later, my best friend was diagnosed with cancer. My actual birthday in November was observed in quiet grief, thankful for making it to 40 — an age that had seemed elusive ever since the Natpara recall in 2019 — but heartbroken about the rough road ahead.

This year, as I look at the broken, blistering road behind me, I can see some breathtaking mountain peaks, and some deep, dark trenches, a beautiful landscape full of dream-like highs and horrendous lows. It has been a memorable year and I’m grateful to come out on the other side of it.

Last month’s International Hypoparathyroidism Conference vibe went from anxious and urgent to inquisitive and excited. I absolutely feel that shift for this year’s birthday as well.

I know the road ahead will never be easy. But I’m closing out my 41st year with my best friend in remission and I’m excited for what my 42nd year holds. I can’t wait to see what books I write, what stories I read, and what new adventures I go on. There’s something about staring down an uncertain future that makes every birthday feel like a gift — even the hard ones.

Note: Hypoparathyroidism News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Hypoparathyroidism News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to hypoparathyroidism.