A supportive family helps me navigate life’s twists and turns

“Bumpy roads often lead to beautiful places.” — MLB coach Dave Martinez

Living with hypoparathyroidism has been quite the adventure. It’s shown me that life is full of twists and turns that don’t come with a road map. Symptoms can emerge without warning, leading to unexpected health crises and hospitalizations.

But guess what? I’ve been able to persevere through it all by leaning on my amazing family.

The ups and downs we’ve faced over the past year have reinforced these lessons as we’ve supported one another through both joy and trauma.

In June 2024, my grandnephew, Greyson, was born, becoming the legacy our family needed. Pam, my sister and Greyson’s grandma, had just beaten cancer, but her experience led us to discover that the BRCA2 gene mutation runs in our family. It was a scary time, but Greyson was a gift, making everything brighter.

Or so I thought.

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June 18, 2025 by Bari Vapnek

Surviving the storm, be it a hurricane or my hypopara

My family required genetic testing because of my sister’s diagnosis, and my 79-year-old mother tested positive for the mutation. Doctors recommended a routine robotic hysterectomy, which was said to be easier than undergoing chemotherapy.

Mom had the surgery last August. Afterward, something wasn’t right; she was cold and in pain. I’ve been hospitalized enough with hypopara to recognize when something’s wrong. But she received pain medicine and fell asleep, so I went home.

I was working the next day, when Mom was scheduled to go home. After work, I called her to check in. Her friend answered, saying, “It’s been a rough day. She’s finally sleeping and won’t be discharged.”

At midnight, 36 hours after the surgery, my phone rang, and I learned Mom had taken a turn for the worse. As her healthcare proxy, I’d have to make critical decisions on her behalf. This routine surgery, like my thyroidectomy in 1998, would end up being life-changing.

Screaming, Mom was administered too much pain medicine, requiring Narcan (naloxone) for revival. Once she was stabilized around 4 a.m., she underwent emergency surgery to find the cause of her near-demise. A camera inserted in her hysterectomy site revealed that her intestines had been cut, resulting in sepsis, a life-threatening response to an infection. She ended up needing a ventilator for weeks, and I wasn’t sure if life would ever be the same.

This trauma brought me back to my life-altering calcium crash in 2016, when I spent weeks in the same hospital room Mom was in.

Then, while Mom was still hospitalized in late October, my puppy, Princess Leia, died after having seizures. I was devastated. It was difficult to maintain normal calcium levels because of my stress and trauma.

Miraculously, though, Mom survived, and I realized where I get my strength.

At the same time all of this was going on, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had in August 2024 approved Yorvipath (palopegteriparatide) for hypopara, which I’d been taking as part of a clinical trial. However, the approved dose was half of what I’d been taking during the trial, and having to wean down resulted in hypercalcemia and multiple hospitalizations.

Because I was the first patient dosed in the Phase 2 trial for Yorvipath, I am the long-term data. There is no road map for me to follow.

In addition, after the drug was approved, I struggled to obtain insurance coverage. Thankfully, I still received shipments through the Ascendis Signature Access Program, but last month, my medication didn’t arrive. The following days were bumpy as my calcium levels crashed.

Gratitude amid challenges

Pam Eskalyo celebrates her grandson Greyson’s first birthday in Davie, Florida. (Photo by Bari Vapnek)

But there have also been many good days throughout this turbulent year. I spent time with my son in Boston, making the best memories, and visiting my daughter in Atlanta made me feel better than I have in years. A few months ago, I was hired to write this column for Hypoparathyroidism News.

And last month, family and friends gathered to celebrate Greyson’s first birthday. It was a jubilant day full of love and laughter, and his infectious smile flooded our hearts with happiness. The celebration was perfect, just like Greyson, and I was so grateful to have my mom and my sister by my side.

My family is my rock and source of strength. Their unwavering support is what allows me to stand here today, despite the challenges I’ve faced over the past 12 months.

This brave butterfly continues to persevere and spread her wings of hope, navigating life’s obstacles one day at a time. My resilience is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome, and I hope I can empower others to do the same.

Looking ahead, I still don’t have a road map, but I’m hopeful. I eagerly anticipate the victories to come and embrace the unknown with optimism, knowing I’ll get by with the help of my family.

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.