My Thyroid Hell

First update in years!!

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 22:04:00 +0000

It's been more than a couple years since I've posted. So much has happened since.

First, my oldest was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2016. She was 19 at the time of diagnosis. This diagnosis came two years after I kept bringing up symptoms to her doctor that I thought were thyroid related and they blew me off. Repeatedly. I finally asked her gynecologist to run a blood test. Guess what? Yup, thyroid disease. I took those results back to her doctor and she felt her thyroid, turned to me, and said, "Her thyroid is swollen. Do you see that?" Are you FREAKING kidding me? I was livid. An ultrasound and biopsy later, we had a papillary thyroid cancer diagnosis on top of thyroid disease. They removed her thyroid and treated her with RAI (radioactive iodine) to kill off any remaining thyroid cells remaining after surgery. She gets bloodwork done every six months (regular thyroid hormone level tests plus thyroglobulin to check for cancer reoccurrence). It can come back. There is no remission since thyroid cells can always grow (bringing the cancer with it, I guess). She'll have to have labs done for the rest of her life to check for cancer reoccurrence. Because of the RAI, she is also at higher risk for developing secondary cancers down the road and will take thyroid medication the rest of her life (the goal is TSH suppression to keep cancer away).

Learning your child has cancer? Hell.

Telling your child she has cancer? Hell.

Leaving her room when they were taking her to surgery? Hell.

Letting them put radioactive iodine into her body to kill off her current cancer, and hoping it wouldn't bring a secondary cancer down the road? Hell.

My youngest, who was ten at the time, was also diagnosed with thyroid disease at the same time as my daughter's cancer diagnosis. Her pediatrician tried to blow it all off but I insisted on testing. I was right to insist. She is also on thyroid medication the rest of her life.

Three weeks after my daughter finished her thyroid cancer treatment, my kids' school had a school shooting. Three of four of my kids were there. My middle daughter was a couple classroom doors down from where the shooter shot a student and was shooting into classrooms. The kids either broke through windows and jumped out or ran down halls and into fields as far as they could go to safety. The PTSD from that took a few months to get through for my girls. Loud noises were hard. If somebody slammed a door, the look of terror in their eyes was horrible because to them, it sounded like a gunshot. My son seemed like he handled it ok but he also developed chronic physical hives to heat (hot car, blushing, etc.) afterward so I'm not sure he handled it as well as he thought he was handling it.

Then! Oh yeah, there's a then! My youngest was in a school bus accident. She is in physical therapy twice a week as they try to fix the damage this inept bus driver caused. It's been four months and there's not a day that has gone by without pain. Not only did they not check students for injury, they moved them to another bus and went on with their route before the police even arrived at the accident scene!! You'd think our school was being run by a bunch of gomers. You'd be right.

The last few years? Hell.

My thyroid disease? I was doing great until I made the mistake of leaving the "good thyroid doctor" for a doctor closer to home because he agreed to keep the meds the same for that that the "good thyroid doctor" prescribed. Problem? He then retired. The latest doctor cut my thyroid medication down more than half! Talk about going hypo and hashi crazy since Fall. He managed to ruin nine years of feeling good in only a few months. Not only did I gain 25 pounds and become very exhausted, my thyroid or goiter or something is so inflamed that it is pressing on my vocal cords or something because I can barely talk. I haven't had a voice in several months. My husband says I sound like a squirrel. When I went to the doctor a few weeks ago to tell him and request my old dose back, he didn't believe me. He said it was "drainage". FOR MONTHS? I won't be going back to him.

I have since increased my thyroid med dose back to what it used to be on my own and my voice is starting to come back. Instead of sounding like a squirrel now, I sound more like a boy going through puberty with voice cracking but it's coming back. I feel like I'm coming out of a fog. I can't get into a new, functional medicine doctor until May (meanwhile, I'm trying to get back into the "good thyroid doctor" but they're not taking more patients right now).

So, that's the not so short and not so sweet update. Despite everything, my kids are awesome kids. They're doing well in school and growing into great adults. My husband is always such a sweetheart.

Brain Fog

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 31 Jul 2014 14:08:00 +0000

I keep forgetting to take my thyroid medication twice a day. I usually forget the second dose, sometimes I even forget the first dose. This is so not good.

My brain has been in a fog the last few days. It's been an unpleasant reminder of what I lived like for nine years before I found a doctor that would treat my thyroid disease the way it needed to be treated. My memory is shot, my head feels like I'm walking through a fog storm 1700 fog machine.

I even set an alarm twice a day to remind myself. The problem is if the alarm goes off and I'm not home, or in the middle of something, I forget to do it afterward.

I really need to get more disciplined.

High School Senior

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 17:21:00 +0000

My eldest just finished her junior year. It's time to think about senior pictures, a varsity jacket, college applications, and everything else related to the last year of high school. Who aged me enough to have a senior in high school? When did that happen?

She is moving onto vet school, pre-vet first and then veterinary medicine. She and her boyfriend are talking about marriage after college (oh please, slow down). I'm googling colleges and vet schools; I'm not to google raleigh wedding photography yet.

*deep breath* for the upcoming senior year.

Thyroid Expert?

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 23:29:00 +0000

There's a thyroid expert named Andrea Beaman I am wondering about. Has anybody heard of her? I've heard that she has a program that can get you off thyroid medication. True or false? Anybody know? I'm curious to see if that is impossible for anybody to do, especially if you've had thyroid disease for 13 years like me. Seems like those parts of my thyroid that weren't working would be dead after 13 years.

I am going to start detoxing I think. I am going to start back on iodine and cut out sugar and try to get back into health mode again.

I don't know if I ever typed on here about redecorating the house to put it up for sale. If I haven't, we are; if I have, we are still doing it. My daughter and I are going to tackle the bathroom as a mother/daughter project after this week. Sanding, painting, hanging - mask on my face to save my asthmatic lungs. I need to find 36" Drawer Slides too and find a leopard shower curtain for the shower, which won't go over well with the husband so I'm not telling him until I hang it. He considers it "his" bathroom but it really isn't. It's just a dingy bathroom that our girls won't use so I'm going to make it more girly. He'll find out about THAT when it's done. Ha Ha!

Graduation Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 18:34:00 +0000

In a little over a year, our firstborn will graduate high school. What do you get the graduating senior? A laptop? Money for college tuition or books? Car? (Yeah, wishful thinking on her part.) Once she makes up her mind on where she is going to college will depend on what she needs I guess. Will she need stuff for her first dorm room or is she living at home? Will she be driving back and forth to college or living at college? So many decisions!

I can't believe my firstborn is almost an adult. I can't believe I am old enough to have a child who is almost an adult! HaHa!

College Hunting Time

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 18:31:00 +0000

We have started college hunting for our firstborn. We are looking at colleges within driving distance as well as those that our daughter would have to live. She doesn't want to go away to college but we want her to look at all her options. Thinking about her actually moving away to college though...yikes!

Home Search

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 23:43:00 +0000

I've been researching the real estate market for about the last two years, waiting to see what is available, prices, and how well our home would sell if we put it up for sale (and how fast). I found this app for a a real estate agent checklist but then found out it is actually for a real estate agent about new listings, listings sold, contracts and closings. That's not me. I'm just an individual who wants the best price for our home, to sell as fast as possible once we put it up with an agent, and the best house for our family that will (hopefully) be our last house we buy. Maybe the realtor we find, when we finally are ready, will have this app!

Preparing for Water Crisis

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 19:59:00 +0000

If a water disaster were to happen, as it did in West Virginia, would you be prepared? Should you be? Would you be left without life giving water for yourself, your children? How would you bathe? Brush your teeth? Flush the toilet?

This isn't conspiracy theory stuff. This actually happened. My husband was offered a job in that exact area but he turned it down years ago. Gotta say - I'm happy about that.

Reducing Medical Debt

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 19:46:00 +0000

I go tomorrow to talk to my doctor about my thyroid lab and get my 90-day prescriptions. I don't know why doctors don't like to write 90-day prescriptions when the biggest manufacturer in this area, who my husband works for, offers insurance where that is their preference or else they charge ME more. I asked them a few months ago and I got the run around. Tomorrow, there will be no more run around. I get three months for the price of two if I do it the way our insurance company expects it done. Otherwise, I pay for the third month PLUS they charge me more per prescription. That's just not happening anymore or else I'm changing doctors. Save money. Save money. That is my mantra. Every little bit helps, which the last few months has proven to me. We are almost out of medical debt.

Medical Debt Decline

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 19:26:00 +0000

Financial debt goes along with medical issues it seems, at least for us it did the past few years. We're finally digging out of the medical bills and I can't wait until it's done. We are done to one bill left. What motivated me? Dave Ramsey's books did.

When did that happen?

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 00:15:00 +0000

I realized the other day that in three months, we will have three teenagers in the house. When did that happen? When did I get old enough to have THREE teenagers? That leaves my youngest, who will be nine in a few months. She still likes dolls and swing sets but for how long? I don't think we'll be looking for swing sets in williamsburg va if we don't get one soon. She's outgrowing everything! I just put three bags of clothes in the church donation bin that she's outgrown.

It seems like you blink and they've grown up!

Goiter Bigger

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 00:11:00 +0000

Ugh, my goiter feels bigger and I've been so tired the past few days. Great. I'm due for more labs so I guess I'll find out one way or the other either way what is going on.

Check Up Time

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:30:00 +0000

It's time for my thyroid check-up, I guess. I called my doctor to have him call in my prescriptions and got a call back that I have to get blood tests done and come see him again. *sigh*

When I'm feeling fine, and obviously managing my thyroid just fine, I hate this waste of time and money. 13 years of thyroid disease...that's a lot of doctor appointments and tests.

Guitar Addictions

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:28:00 +0000

As a guitar player, what do you always have on hand?

guitar stands
guitar picks
guitar straps
anything else?

We have many of each in our home to go with the dozen guitars we have in this house. It actually may be more than a dozen. I've lost count. There are floor stands, wall hangers, there are straps packed away for use, there are actually containers with compartments for the hundred of guitar picks my husband has (and collects) and several capos in a variety of colors.

Guitars are my husband's addiction. (It makes for good threat material - you ever cheat, I have a bonfire with all your guitars - LOL.) We'll be married 18 years soon and no cheating. Maybe my threat on his babies works! Kidding!

Christmas Tree Hangover

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 14:22:00 +0000

Anybody else ready to take the tree down? I am ALWAYS ready to take it down as soon as Christmas is over to get it out of my living room and make space (we're cramped here with six of us). The family wants it left up until after New Year's. Noooooo! LOL

99% Done with Shopping!

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 02:36:00 +0000

With the exception of the people who take care of our horses, I am done with shopping for the holidays! My stepdaughter's gift will arrive to her Saturday. My stepson received his today. We went with an element for his music making. One day, I'm sure he's hoping to be rich enough to buy himself a modulus bass guitar but our bank account can afford the MPC Element we bought him.

I am still waiting for a few deliveries here at home for my kids and still have to ship my mother's gift out to her (Kindle - we're going to get her hooked up technologically speaking in baby steps!), but 99% of the actual shopping - done!

Gifts vs Gift Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 19:21:00 +0000

Do you prefer to give gifts or gift cards? Do you prefer to receive gifts or gift cards?

3.7 Pounds Left

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 19:18:00 +0000

No weight gained over Thanksgiving. Not bad for eating so much. I ate to the point of STUFFED for three days straight, but I watched what I ate. Anything that might aggravate my gallstones (fried, fatty foods), I ate but not to excess. It was so yummy.

3.7 pounds left to lose and no gallstone attack over Thanksgiving. Bonus!

Cold Football Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 18:54:00 +0000

Our local football team went to the play-offs. What a fun time we had! It was very cold, had me wishing for my foot warmer electric but we got through it. Getting one of those seats that have warmers in it is on my list of things to buy for the 2014 football season.

I am NOT a sports fan at all but our local high school football team (where my kids attend) makes it so fun to watch. Who would have thought I'd like football?

Not me.

Now I need finger warmers too.

Waiting Job Opportunities

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 18:51:00 +0000

My husband may have a new job opportunity with his current employer. It's actually a pay cut (no overtime) but it'd be a great learning experience for his future. The hours are perfect for our family as well. We have our *fingers crossed* this comes through!

There was another job he thought about with his current employer but they required welding and he hasn't welded all that much. I think they provide the supplies for that position which isn't too bad. I know some companies require you bring your own tools. He looked up some information at atl welding supplies to price just in case, but I think he'd be covered.

If the new opportunity doesn't come through, we may move back home.

Musical Geniuses

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 19:15:00 +0000

Yes, my kids are and I'm not shy about saying it. They get it from their dad.

I am looking at a little Luna guitar for my daughter for Christmas. It is so pretty. It's a little 3/4 size guitar called 'Starry Night'. It's very pretty.

We don't have any bass players in this house so I was thinking about an exceptional spector bass for one of our kids. I don't think my stepson would enjoy it but perhaps my son would. He plays drums so he definitely can keep rhythm. His drumline show last week at his high school was fantastic. I love watching him in the drumline. Perhaps he'd like to learn bass as well.

Endocrinologists

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 19:09:00 +0000

I am at the doctor's for my asthma this morning and she feels my neck, notices how enlarged the thyroid area is and asks me if I see an endocrinologist. Pfft. Aw, heck no. I stay WAYYYYY the heck away from those.

I've found the best doctors for my thyroid have been regular family doctors who are willing to listen to me, willing to acknowledge my symptoms and treat according to symptom.

I'll likely never see another endocrinologist - EVER. Nothing but bad luck seeing them and YEARS of feeling terrible because they didn't treat my thyroid disease right.

Christmas Shopping Starts

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 14:41:00 +0000

What's on everybody's Christmas list this year? I have no idea here. I told my kids a few weeks ago I wanted Christmas lists by now but they haven't given me anything. Does that mean I can get them whatever "I" want? Pfft. Doubt it!

My husband usually has his presents picked out a month ahead of time for himself (from me, of course). He picked out his own birthday present this year (a guitar). I just ordered it and am waiting for it to arrive. Nice, eh?

Burn Remedy

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 14:06:00 +0000

What is the best natural remedy you know of for burns? I am making hair accessories for my kids and the hot glue gun keeps burning my fingers! It's a Wal-Mart hot glue gun for goodness sake, not an adhesive and high temperature glue here. Just a little pink glue gun for me. After half dozen flowers glued, my fingers have had enough. That stuff sticks to everything!

I have an aloe plant (but that stuff kinda stinks). I can use it though. I have used vinegar for sunburn but not sure it'd work in the same way for this kind of burn. I have some type of silver cream from the hospital from when my daughter grabbed a few hundred degrees of curling iron from the wrong end and burned her palm, but I'd rather not use that unless it's a major burn. It's good stuff.

I'm looking for a mild, natural burn remedy.

Cannabis Oil

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 14:02:00 +0000

Yes, it's legal in some states for the medical grade stuff but you can buy it at Amazon (probably more of a food grade hemp oil).

Have you read of all the health improvements being claimed with cannabis oil? I have recently been reading about it and want to learn more. Anybody use this and does it help?

I've heard many things - cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, general health.

If the skin cancer claims and cannabis are true, wow is our government and Big Pharma holding out on us, at the expense of our health and lives.