Kevin's Kitchen: Breakfast Caserole for Christmas

A thyroidectomy requires a life change. That includes changing eating habits. The purpose of Kevin's Kitchen is to help those with no (or little) cooking skills to create great meals.

Breakfast is my favorite meal and a Breakfast Casserole is my favorite thing to make. 

Start with a 9x13 pan. Breakup 9 pieces of toast. 

Cook up one pound of sausage (or bacon or ham or all three). A healthier alternative is turkey sausage. Just make sure sausage is cooked brown with no pink.

Mix the meat with 12oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese. A healthy alternative is low fat or skim cheddar cheese - the important part is to get it SHARP so there is flavor. Dump the meat and cheese dump on the toast in the pan. 

Next, beat a dozen eggs with three cups of milk and dump that over the toast. Bake at 350 until the center is solid (45-60+ minutes) and you will have a Christmas style breakfast! To make it easier you can mix it up the night before. 

Eggs, meat, cheese - that is a true Christmas present!

Kevin's Kitchen: Slow Cooking The Turkey

Your slow cooker is a quick road to dinner heaven!

A thyroidectomy requires a life change. That includes changing eating habits. The purpose of Kevin's Kitchen is to help those with no (or little) cooking skills to create great meals.

When we think of Thanksgiving, men think of turkey, that great big ball of meat. Doesn't cooking meat sound like a man topic? So why not cook the Thanksgiving Day Turkey in a slow cooker? What's that? You don't know how? Well... let me fix that right away!

First, for those who don't like to clean-up? I am using a Slow Cooker Liner. When the cooking is done and the pot is cool, just throw the plastic bag away - wamo blamo, all done.

I am starting with a six pound fresh bone-in turkey breast. I usually use six pounds boneless, but those can be hard to find for Thanksgiving (believe it or not). White meat tends to be the favorite meat, so, why not do a turkey that is all white meat?

I am doing six pounds because that is what fits in my large crockpot. When cooking meat you generally want half a pound per person eating. However, because this has a bone, people pig out at Thanksgiving, and leftovers are awesome, 1 to 1.25 pounds per person is a better number to go by.

Add a 32oz container of turkey (preferred) or chicken broth. Half a stick of butter. A large onion chopped. A cup of diced celery. And then pepper the heck out of it with lemon pepper seasoning.

Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. The result will be an incredibly moist turkey that falls off the bone and melts in your mouth. And, you will be the King of the Meat!

Kevin's Kitchen: Grilling up Columbus Day

A thyroidectomy requires a life change. That includes changing eating habits. The purpose of Kevin's Kitchen is to help those with no (or little) cooking skills to create great meals.

Celebrating Columbus Day Weekend by grilling. There won't be too many more opportunities like this before the snow flies. 

A reminder about grilling: the use of aluminum foil!  I do this for several reasons: (1) it reduces flair-ups; (2) it is easy clean-up (3) it reduces (arguably) carcinogen caused by grilling meat. By capturing the fat drippings into the foil and preventing them from burning off, I am preventing to creation of the carcinogenic PAH. (4) It  helps prevent the meat from getting charred, which forms the carcinogen HCA. 

I further practice healthy grilling by using a gas grill that allows me to control the temperature for a lower temperature/longer cook, which is believed to reduce the creation of the carcinogen HCA. I also marinate the chicken, which further reduces HCA formation. And, as mentioned, the chicken has the fat trimmed which further helps to avoid the PAH.

Is grilling on aluminum foil safe? Absolutely. Studies have shown it to be safe.
Write to me and let me know what is on your Columbus Day menu!

Kevin's Kitchen: Grilling for Father's Day While Avoiding the Carcinogens

A thyroidectomy requires a life change. That includes changing eating habits. The purpose of Kevin's Kitchen is to help those with no (or little) cooking skills to create great meals.

Getting the Father's Day grilling headed in the right direction with a ton of protein! Trimmed chicken breasts with Amy and James BBQ sauce. Some lean burgers. Along the top are three kinds of peppers and onions sealed in aluminum foil with seasonings. Side burner is hosting corn on the cob and also beans.  Potatoes are cooking in the house.

You may notice I am cooking the meat on aluminum foil instead of directly on the grill. I do this for several reasons: (1) it reduces flair-ups; (2) it is easy clean-up (3) it reduces (arguably) carcinogen caused by grilling meat. By capturing the fat drippings into the foil and preventing them from burning off, I am preventing to creation of the carcinogenic PAH. (4) It  helps prevent the meat from getting charred, which forms the carcinogen HCA. 

I further practice healthy grilling by using a gas grill that allows me to control the temperature for a lower temperature/longer cook, which is believed to reduce the creation of the carcinogen HCA. I also marinate the chicken, which further reduces HCA formation. And, as mentioned, the chicken has the fat trimmed which further helps to avoid the PAH.

Is all of that effective? I don't know. But it makes me feel good that I can take a very simple step that reduces the carcinogens I am feeding to my family.

What are you cooking up for Father's Day?

Kevin's Kitchen: Grilling on Memorial Day

A thyroidectomy requires a life change. That includes changing eating habits. The purpose of Kevin's Kitchen is to help those with no (or little) cooking skills to create great meals.

I used to get these giant dinosaur sized sirloin steaks. This year I switched to the "right sized" steaks - I like them better because they are low fat and you can usually eat the entire thing. About half of those giant sirloins were fat and grizzle. Also on the grill, we have the marinated chicken, and the kid's burgers. Doing corn on the cob and beans on the side cooker.

Kidney Update: The specialist

I saw the Kidney Specialist. His first question to me was "Why are you here?"

I explained to him that I was concerned about the high cretonne levels and it looked like the levels were increasing.

He told me that for a guy my size (6'4"), my cretonne levels are not high. The acceptable range is for the average human, and I am not average.

Further, he showed through historical blood readings that my levels are not increasing but instead go through a cycle of going up and then back down.

He then repeated his question to me. "Why are you here?"

I answered "I guess I have nothing to be concerned about"

To which he answered, " I agree." He congratulated me, and I left happy that I don't have another medical condition to worry about.

Sleep Study: First Night with CPAP

I survived my first night with the CPAP machine.

The mask became uncomfortable several times during the night, probably because I had it strapped too tight. The edge of the mast touching my skin somethings became uncomfortable, but, the most uncomfortable was the hard plastic strap that went across my cheek bones. My cheek bones remained sore for twelve hours after I removed the mask.

Also, I woke up several times in the night and discovered a lot of air pressure in the mask. This was probably a sign that I hadn't taken a breath for some period because when that happens, the pressure will build up. When there is a lot of air pressure it can be difficult to exhale - doing so requires some force.

The humidity setting on the CPAP needs to get turned up because my nose was plugged and my mouth was dry.

After five hours, I got up to use the bathroom in the night and couldn't figure out how to disconnect the hose, so, I took the mask off and said "That is enough for my first night" I decided. I only used it for about five hours.

Cleaning the mask (aka, the "pillow") was super easy in the morning. Just a little dish soap, rinsed it, and then set it out to dry.

The results? Am I better rested? I don't know. It is too early to tell. I should know more after a few more nights. I really hope this helps! 

Sleep study: CPAP machine

Like many people who have a Thyroidectomy, I suffer from exhaustion, low energy, and brain fog. My primary doctor believed the problem was sleep apnea. A test confirmed I have a mild case of it. The fix? Wear a CPAP device while I sleep.

I received my CPAP machine today. I went to a CPAP supply company to be fitted and to receive instructions.

The device blows air through a hose that connects to a mask that goes over my mouth and nose. My insurance company requires I wear it for at least 4 hours per night, and to be sure I do, the device talks via cell phone to the CPAP store.

The device has a humidifier that requires distilled water. This is so I am not breathing dry air all night long. To be sure I am not breathing cold wet air, or, the water condenses to the hose, the hose is heated. That also helps assure my face isn't blown with cold air all night.

The parts need to be regularly cleaned. I plan to clean the mask and the humidifier daily. The hose cleaning will get added to my Sunday night routine. The air filter gets changed monthly. All the different parts (mask, "pillow", hose, headgear, etc) are know as "supplies" and they get replaced at various frequencies.

There is an app I can load on my phone to see how I am sleeping at night. It will be interesting to compare that result to what my Fitbit says.

I asked the lady: what if there is a power outage, will I suffocate and die? She told me that she isn't aware of anyone dieing yet and believes I will get good at ripping the mask off in that situation. ...I am not sure how I feel about that answer...

I am really hoping this deals with the exhaustion because the exhaustion is impacting my quality of life. Either I sleep so much there isn't time to do anything, or, I don't sleep enough and spend the day in a daze.  I am ready to try anything, and if it means sleeping with a mask? I will do it!

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Taking a break

If you have been following this series, you'll know I recently had my appendix removed.

At Christmas, my brother-in-law went to the hospital with symptoms similar to what I had when I needed my appendix removed. He was less fortunate than I. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer. The cancer stole his life 3.5 months later.

That hit too close to home.

In the time sense his passing, I have broken every weight control rule I have created. My sleep is a mess, my diet is a mess, and I'm not exercising enough. On top of that, I have had a stack of doctor appointments dealing with my Thyroid Cancer.

As a result, I am going to take a break from this series and get my shit together. Then I'll come back and we'll get this done.

If you are on the path to weight control, I encourage you to keep going!

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Week 9 Update

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Kevin's Kitchen: Macaroni and Cheese

Your slow cooker is a quick road to dinner heaven!

A thyroidectomy requires a life change. That includes changing eating habits. The purpose of Kevin's Kitchen is to help those with no (or little) cooking skills to create great meals.

This is a carbo-licious dinner. It probably isn't the best diet dish, but you can't go through life denying yourself Macaroni and Cheese!

Easter leftovers are gone so today's crockpot meal is Macaroni and Cheese. Dry uncooked noodles, milk, evaporated milk, cheddar cheese, onion flakes, salt, and pepper - just dump it all in and let it cook for four hours. Served with crushed Ritz crackers

Kidney Ultrasound Results

I recently had an ultrasound of my kidneys. I have concerns that the extra calcium supplements I started taking after the thyroidectomy could be creating kidney stones.

The results of the ultrasound came in and it was clear. The tests provided no explanation for the high creatine levels in my blood tests,

The next step? I will see a specialist in a few weeks.

Sleep Study Results

I have been very tired ever since my Thyroidectomy. The thyroidectomy support groups have had many suggestions: check by renals, eat more basil, get my T3 checked, etc. All of those have been wonderful suggestions.

I went to my Primary Doctor and explained the situation. He told me I am tired because I am not getting enough sleep.

If you follow this blog, you'll recall my talking about FitBit's sleep analysis. If you get a fitbit sports watch, it will track information about your sleep habits. Fitbit recently made an update that enhances the sleep reporting.

Even though I was in bed for 8.5 hours, I only received 7.25 hours sleep. Every red area on the ribbon, and every red dash indicates time when I woke up - perhaps for 30 seconds, a minute, or longer. 

I had a sleep study done. I believe the sleep doctor determined I had sleep apnea and needed a CPAP machine before I ever walked through the door. I wonder if this doctor owns stock in sleep apnea equipment. Nevertheless, the results of the sleep study came in today.

Apparently I fall into a range of "Mild obstructive sleep apnea". My sleep patterns were interrupted 8 to 9 times per hour (normal range is 0 to 4). The apnea is more severe when I sleep on my back. The recommendation? Of course, a CPAP machine. 

Against my better judgement, I am going to give the CPAP a shot. I have to work with the doctor's office to select a medical supply company, learn how to use the device, and be fitted with a mask.

The CPAP masks seem absolutely ridiculous. Are you kidding me?

I already sleep with an eye mask to block out the light. What is that going to be like?

I wonder if I could just wear a Dark Vader helmet to sleep every night.

And, lets face it. These masts are not very sexy.

But I am going to give it a try. Tune back in later and I'll tell you how it is going.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Math of loosing fat

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Shaker Cups

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Avoid Energy Drinks

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Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Week 8

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Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Meta Appetite Control

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Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Green Juice Powder

Sorry about the poor audio

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Avoiding Injury Part 3

http://my-thyroidectomy.blogspot.com
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Avoid Injury Part 2

 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Kidneys: Ultrasound

My blood work has been showing a high level of creatine.  Creatine can be the sign of kidney stones developing as a result of taking calcium supplements. I have had to take calcium supplements ever since my Thyroidectomy because I lost two parathyroids during the surgery.

Today was the Ultrasound to look at my kidneys. It feels like I was just here a week or two ago. Oh! That's right! I was. For an ultrasound of my thyroid bed.

I arrived a few minutes early, but, it wasn't very long before the Ultrasound technician called me back. I was directed to a small dark room with a bed in the middle, the same technican and the same room as last time. The technician instructed me to take off my shirt and lay down, which I did.

The technician scanned everything from my ribs to my belt. First, I laid on my back and she did several scans. Then I laid on my right side, then my left side. When I laid on my side, I had to keep the opposite arm raised above my head. It felt like she put a gallon of ultrasound goo on me. Through the entire experience she kept telling me to take a deep breath and hold it. Those breathing exercises were the only thing that kept me from falling asleep.

After about 30 minutes she was done. She gave me a towel to dry off with. I put my shirt back on and she lead me to the lobby.

It will take 24-48 hours to get the results, after which I suspect my primary doctor is going to send me to see a specialist.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Avoiding Injury Part 1

 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Weight Watchers

 

 

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Week 7 Results

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Cancer Related Fatigue

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Money Motivator

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Kidneys: Blood Test

It has been two weeks and I have been drinking water like it is no man's business! My primary doctor wanted me to drink a lot of water for two weeks to see if my creatine levels would go down. Creatine can be the sign of kidney stones developing as a result of taking calcium supplements. I have had to take calcium supplements ever since my Thyroidectomy because I lost two parathyroids during the surgery.

I went for the blood test on Wednesday. I also had to pee in a cup.

The blood tests results arrived today. My creatine levels (which should be below 1.0) were 1.48.  Drinking all that water did not help!

Next stop? I need to get an ultrasound of the kidneys to see what is going on.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Fast Food

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Sleep Study

The time has finally come for my sleep study!

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Plan Your Evenings

 

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Food Labels part 2

Yes, I know. White Flour, not White Flower    :-D

Need help understanding food labels? http://my-thyroidectomy.blogspot.com/2017/04/thyroidectomy-weight-loss-food-labels.html



Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Food Labels Part One

Yes, I know. White Flour, not White Flower  :-D


Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Week Six Results

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Fitbit Sleep Analysis

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Work Out Intensity

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Thyroid Levels

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Gaining Muscle

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Cheat Calories

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Appendix Pathology

Individuals with Thyroid cancer have a high chance of developing a second primary cancer. Not a secondary cancer (a cancer related to a primary cancer) but a completely different unrelated cancer.

I disagree with the research (but who am I?). I believe the chance of having a second primary cancer is the same chance of anyone in the general population developing a cancer. The difference is that we go through many tests and are much more aware and concerned. Pass the general population through the same scrutiny and I suspect the rate would be the same.

For that reason, every bump, bruise, illness, or hiccup will have a Thyroid Cancer survivor concerned.

When I needed my appendix removed only seven months after my Thyroidectomy, the obvious question was: is cancer involved?

The pathology report came in. I am relieved to find out I had a casebook appendectomy. There was no cancer nor anything odd about it!

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Tired

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Wight Loss: Week 5 Results

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Week 7 Results

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Not All Calories The Same

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Fruits and Veggies

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Cardio Versus Resistance

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Sleep Study: Consultation

Ever since the Thyroidectomy I have been very tired. The best success I have had with combating this is to sleep at least eight hours and exercise. However, that doesn't always work.

I talked with my Endocrinologist about this problem and she doesn't understand why I would be tired. It seems odd to me that this isn't a well known problem because I read about people being tired in all of the Thyroidectomy groups.

I discussed this problem with my General Practitioner (GP). He believes the problem is because I am not sleeping enough at night. I have had two discussions with my GP about this and he is convinced that is the problem.

My Fitbit tracks my sleep. The Fitbit results have been inconclusive. It does say I loose 30 minutes of sleep per night, and I wake up 14 to 16 times per night, but Sleep Apnea is much more severe than this - waking sometimes 14 times per hour.

Nevertheless, my GP referred my to a sleep clinic. The waiting list for the clinic was very long, but after three months - my appointment finally arrived.

While in the waiting room I filled out some paperwork that asked about illnesses, surgeries, and family history. There was also a survey that asked about times during the day when I could fall asleep (watching TV, using in a car, etc). I never have situations where I might unintentionally fall asleep during the day, so, the survey was easy to fill out.

And then it was time to see the doctor. He asked me why I was referred to a sleep study and talked about my sleep issues. I felt as though my answers made me a very poor candidate for a sleep study, but the doctor disagreed. And then I started feeing ripped off. Sleep doctors must have the easiest job:take everyone who walks through the door and pass them straight into a sleep study. I felt like my answers to his questions didn't matter because I was going to get a sleep study regardless. I wondered how much money this doctor made on each study, and whether he owned stock in sleep apnea equipment (CPAP) companies.

"What percentage of people that you study end up with a CPAP machine?" I asked.

"Around 80%", the doctor said. He detected my resistance and proceeded to sell me on the benefits of a CPAP machine. I didn't need to e sold. My skepticism was within my belief it was already determined I would need a CPAP before I ever walked through the door.

"How many people get off the CPAP after loosing weight?" I asked. 

The doctor explained how sleep apnea effects everyone, not just overweight people. He said a percentage of overweight people do get off the CPAP, but those are usually people who are extemly overweight to the point of needing weight surgery and experience a 30% drop in weight.

I agreed to continue through the study. I imagined needing to sleep overnight at the clinic so they could study me. However, the doctor explained that he rarely does that anymore. Instead, he sends patients home  with a kit that records them sleeping. I return the kit, they analyze the results, and they tell me why is going on.

I pick up my kit in a couple of weeks.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Body Confusion

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Calorie Counting

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Kidneys: Primary Doctor Visit

I have had a lot of blood work done. While reviewing the results I noticed I have had elevated Creatine levels. I mentioned this to my Endocrinologist and she recommended I discuss it with my Primary Physician.

Why is this a concern?

When the surgeon removed my thyroid he also removed two parathyroids. The parathyroids were too imbedded into the thyroid to be saved. Parathyroids absorb calcium and without those parathyroids, my calcium levels were a mess!

To get my calcium levels into a normal range, I have had to take a large amount of calcium supplements. The problem with calcium supplements is that they can lead to kidney stones. Kidney stones reduce a kidney's function and can raise creatine levels (other things can raise cretaine levels too, which is further reason to investigate elevated numbers).

My primary physician told me he wanted to perform a test. For two weeks I would drink 60 ounces of water by noon every day. At the end of two weeks, I would have my blood work repeated to see if it showed any improvement.

I would like to continue writing and telling you about this, but unfortunately I need to go drink a whole lot of water right now.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Protein Powder

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Week 4 Results

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Appendix Part 2

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Appendex

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: No Gym

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Skin Cancer Check

I believe in regular skin cancer check. In fact, I have had a check every 3-4 years since my early thirties. Early detection is essential! Get an appointment today!

As I was growing up, I spent much of my time working outdoors. From as early as I can remember I was working lawns, gardens, farms, fixing the house, etc. We were taught to start every summer with a good sunburn because that would aid getting a protective tan. And we never wore sun screen - what was that? I was far into adulthood before I learned how sunburns lead to skin cancer. When a co-worker came down with skin cancer, I understood the importance of getting checked regularly.

In fact, it was a skin cancer check in 2016 that found my Thyroid cancer!

Now, in my late forties, I am determined to get yearly skin cancer checks (instead of waiting 3-4 years).This year's check was today. Normally I have my General Practitioner (GP) do the check, but this year I went to a dermatologist.

The dermatologist made the check quick and easy. He touched every freckle and mole with a metal tool that recorded information about the skin defect. As he worked, he dictated information pertaining to his activities to his nurse.

In just moments he was done and had a complete recording of all the moles. When I return next year, the doctor will be able to repeat the process and his system will tell him whether anything has changed.

For now? I am skin cancer free - which is a great relief!

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss:Cheat Days

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy scar 7 months post-op

watch the scar from beginning to end in this 2 minute video

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss:Netflix

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Eating Back Calories

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Week 3 Results

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Soda versus Water

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Six Month Endocrine Appointment

Today was my six month (even though it has been seven months) endocrine appointment.

The appointment went very well and I get a gold star. Blood Pressure is good, weight is improving, ultrasound was perfect, and bloodwork is great. I need to do a thyroglobulin blood test. If that goes well? I am good for another six months.

I arrived to the Endocrine department at the hospital and was taken back by a technician. He checked my vitals, he walked me to an examination room. Soon, the Resident Doctor I had been working with arrived. She asked me some questions and did a basic physical (test reflexes, listed to heart and lungs, etc). When the resident was done, the doctor came in. He explained that everything is good, but he would like to increase by dosage just a little to put it into a better part of the range. Some bloodwork was arranged to see where I presently am, and then a dosage decision will be made.

I went with several questions:

Why am I often tired and depressed? Not known, but, they hope that tweaking my medication will help.

Could I be tired due to a iron deficiency? Unlikely, but, she included a blood test for it.

Could so be low in magnesium or other minerals? Magnesium is OK. So long as so am eating well I shouldn't have any problems.

Is there anything more or different I can do for weight loss? No. I am doing it correctly.

Next steps? If hemoglobin is OK, I do not need to return for six months. They will adjust my medicine levels based upon my next blood work.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Drink Water

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

6 Month Post Thyroidectomy Ultrasound

Today was my six month post Thyroidectomy (even though it has been seven months) Ultrasound.

The Ultrasound was like all others. I arrived and checked in. The receptionist told me "She is running a little behind", to which I played deaf and joked "What? She has a runner's little behind?"  We both got a laugh out of it.

Soon enough I was called back. I laid on a bed and the Ultrasound technician got to work: first doing the "Thyroid bed" and then doing my entire neck.

It was very relaxing and I could have easily fallen asleep. My eyes were closed and she was massaging my neck with the Ultrasound wand. But then it started bringing back memories of almost a year ago when my Thyroid Cancer journey started. I started remembering what I felt then, and everything I went through after that initial ultrasound. It was honestly a little emotional.

The Ultrasound technician finished. She gave me a towel to wipe the Ultrasound gel off my neck, and then I was done.

I walked back to the car oddly depressed. All those bad memories were fresh again. And now, what if this ultrasound found something just like last year's did? I could be in for another repeat of last year... or worse!

80% of the things we worry about never come true. So it is good to worry about things because doing so increases the chances it won't happen! Nevertheless, it is not good to worry about things that are outside of your control. Whatever that tests says? It says. I just need to put it in God's hands,

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Tired

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Six month post-op Ultrasound Test results

My Ultrasound test results came in. No thyroid material in the thyroid bed. And the lymph nodes all look benign! Woohoo! This is good news and means I am OK for another six months.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss:What are you willing to do?

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Other Goals

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Weight Loss Goals

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Week 2 Results

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Saturday Shopping

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Tired Today

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Shrink your Stomach

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Motivation

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Magic Formula

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Tired Versus Exercise

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Week 1 results

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Long Time Exerciser

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: My Theory

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Fat Cells

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Rules

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Everyone is Different

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

Thyroidectomy Weight Control: Introduction

Everyone's situation is different. Nevertheless, I think I can help.

This is the beginning of the Thyroidectomy Weight Loss series. Tune back in every day to learn more. Advance to the next day to see the next video in this series.

Example Topics:

• Setting Goals
• Understanding Fat Cells
• Tired versus Exercise
• Creating Rules
• Magic Formula
• Motivation
• Shrink your stomach
• Drink water
• Soda versus water
• Protein Drinks
• Juicing
• Weight Watchers
• Avoiding Exercise Injuries
• Eating healthy fast food
• Food Labels
• Gaining muscle
• Cheat calories
• Body Confusion
• Calorie Counting
• Cardio versus Resistance
• Fruit and Veggies

and more!


Am I right? Will exercise and diet lead to weight control after a thyroidectomy? Check in every Sunday to see the results.



Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nutritionist, nor personal trainer. Never take medical advice over the internet. Seek the advice of your doctor before following any of the recommendations made during this series.

January Weight Update

You will hear many people complain about weight gain with a Thyroidectomy, and complain they can't loose weight.

I gained fifty pounds leading up to the surgery. Before you fall out of your chair - I am 6'4", fifty pounds is s lot but not as much as you might think. The gain was mostly poor eating, lack of exercise, increased stress (hey! I have cancer!) and my thyroid doing crazy things to me.

Immediately after surgery I lost 14 pounds, felt great, and was confident I would drop the other 36 pounds.

But then I experienced "the crash" and was tired all the time. I slept instead of exercise, and ate to stay awake. I put back on 13 of those 14 pounds.

I have been forcing myself to the gym as much as my exhaustion can bare it I have lost a pound, which puts me at -2 since surgery.

I wake up in the morning and try to pull myself out of bed, but many mornings I can't. When my Fitbit says I only got 5 or 6 hours of sleep? I can't do it. But even when the fit but says I got 7 or 8 hours it can be difficult.

I read from many people who reported this feeling of exhaustion and I was convinced it would not happen to me, but it did. I remain convinced that if I could exercise regularly I would get more energy, I would therefore eat better, I would therefore loose weight, and I would therefore sleep better and I would return to my Pre-thyroid-problem self. That's my theory and I am not discouraged yet.

Tune back and I will try to provide further updates.

Sleep and Fitbit Update

If you follow this blog, you have noticed the frequency of posts has dropped off. This is for two reasons. First, my blogging phone app no longer works with the latest ios release, so, it is less convenient to blog. And second... life goes on. We have this thing that happens, we get past it, and then we go on with our lives. While thyroid cancer is a big deal and will regularly be on my mind, it is no longer front and foremost. I have other things to deal with: getting my son to drive and get him ready for college, holidays, vacations, and more. Thyroid cancer becomes an after thought - something that I remember only when I look in the mirror and see the scar. And that is good. It is the way it should be.

I struggle with being tired, not getting enough sleep, not having much energy, and therefore struggling to get to gym daily. If I don't get to the gym, then, I am not doing well managing my weight. And if I am tired, I am turning to bad snacks to snap me out of it.

I have worn my FitBit for going on 4 weeks now and I am seeing information about my sleep that I never knew.

For example, I go to bed, do a last check of the email on my phone, and then go to sleep. My plan is always to get 8 hours sleep (or come close to it).

What I learned is that I am spending way too long checking the email on my phone. It isn't just a quick five minute check. Some nights I am spending 20-30 minutes! And that eats into my sleep time.

Next, the fitbit tells me I loose up to 45 minutes of sleep per night. I can see when this happens: My wife comes to bed, my daughter gets up for work, my boys head out to school, and my wife gets up before I do so she can have the shower first. There are other interruptions: The cat jumps on the bed, the dog barks at something outside, someone gets up in the night to use the bathroom, or (like last night) my wife wakes me to tell me someone is downstairs (it was the dog snoring).

I might go to bed intending to get 8 hours sleep, by the time I check my cell phone and have all the disruptions,  I wake with only 6 3/4 hours. If I stay up late helping the boys with their homework, I get even less. And then I wonder why I am tired all day long!

My wife says "This isn't anything new. It has always been this way. So why are you tired now?" And that is a good question. But it hasn't always been this way: my daughter hasn't always had the early shift, and I am staying up later at night than previously. Even so, it is difficult to believe that these changes make me want to nap at lunch time and sleep all weekend.

I am going to try to reverse this problem by getting more sleep and taking a sleep study in March. Stay tuned and I will provide updates.