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

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 8

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: Meta Appetite Control

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: 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

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: Money Motivator

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: 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

 

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 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

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: 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.