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

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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

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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

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Cardio Versus Resistance

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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

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Calorie Counting

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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

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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

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Thyroidectomy scar 7 months post-op

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

Thyroidectomy Weight Loss:Netflix

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Eating Back Calories

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Week 3 Results

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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

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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

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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?

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Other Goals

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Weight Loss Goals

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Week 2 Results

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Saturday Shopping

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Tired Today

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Shrink your Stomach

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Thyroidectomy Weight Loss: Motivation

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