Passover’s message of hope reminds me of life with hypoparathyroidism

“Passover is a time of reflection and joy, when we emerge from our cocoon of doubt to fly freely on the wings of faith.” — Unknown

Last week, I celebrated Passover, a Jewish holiday rich with traditions passed down through generations. We gather with family, surrounded by love, as we remember the struggles faced by the Jewish people for centuries.

Regrettably, I had to skip my family gathering due to illness. Feeling unwell has been a persistent issue lately, and I need to overcome this slump. While I can’t solely blame hypoparathyroidism for all my issues, hypopara seems to be a common factor in many of them.

I reflected on the many Passovers I’ve celebrated throughout my lifetime. Although I’ve experienced feelings of solitude, this introspection has allowed me to explore the symbolism of Passover and recognize the shared struggles faced by patients with hypopara, which extend beyond the themes of slavery and the quest for freedom.

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I profoundly relate to this experience, as I will always live with hypopara and its persistent symptoms, as well as relying on the medications I take daily. I will be bound to hypopara for life. There is no escaping it.

Passover holds great significance in Judaism. It marks the Israelites’ escape from slavery in ancient Egypt, as told in the Book of Exodus. This festival celebrates freedom, liberation, and the transition from oppression to hope. Moreover, Passover emphasizes themes of justice, compassion, and unity.

As a patient with hypoparathyroidism, I notice many similarities between our celebration and this condition. Like the Israelites, hypopara patients embark on a journey from diagnosis to finding hope through the growing interest in the disease. Together, we must face challenges, even when misunderstood, like what we celebrate during Passover. I view our struggle with hypopara as a form of bondage. This illness holds us captive, and I wish it were something I could escape.

The Passover narrative is an essential symbol of redemption and hope. It emphasizes God’s ability to free his people from oppression and fosters hope for a better future. This parallels my experience with hypopara. I need to rediscover that sense of hope. With the evolving landscape of hypopara, there will increasingly be more parathyroid hormone drugs available, and one day, we will have options to choose from.

During Passover, we eat unleavened bread, also known as matzah. The reason for this is that the Israelites didn’t have time to prepare their bread as they escaped. Similarly, hypopara patients are not prepared to face a rare disease after their thyroidectomy. Many hypopara patients like me are post-surgical. We didn’t know we would encounter this disease, and like the people escaping for freedom, nothing was ever the same for those diagnosed with hypopara.

I’m not a religious person, but I wanted to share my thoughts as I lie in bed recovering, missing this special holiday with my family. This brave butterfly will continue to spread her wings of hope, and just like my ancestors, I will keep persevering through my hypopara.

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.