Support Group: Not needing Radiation

I scour the support groups for some of the best questions and answers. Everyone's names are removed for privacy. Answers may be summarized and/or edited.

Question: Is there anyone NOT need radiation after their thyroidectomy

Answers:

• My cancer was small and encapsulated so I was told RAI was not necessary
• I was given the choice and I chose RAI
• My nodule were small, encapsulated with clean margin. I had a total done in October 2017.
• I did not. Oncologist thought was that it sometimes does more harm than good and it’s way overused. My cancer was totally contained to my thyroid
• I opted out and the MD felt ok with that choice due to the size, etc..
• I didn’t. My cancer was pretty small and wasn’t in my lymph nodes. I’m 2 yrs out.
• I had No RAI after my total thyroidectomy, almost 2 years later my thyroid cancer came back with a vengeance
• My first was partial removal with no radiation, second was total removal with radioactive iodine
•  I was told most people don’t need it, I did because I had an issue with lymph nodes being involved.
• I was told protocols are changing, and that RAI isn’t always deemed necessary anymore.
• I was told the chance of recurrence was essentially the same with and without. I didn't want the additional side effects from the RAI if it wasn't going to substantially decrease the chance of recurrence
• I didn’t. Tumor was contained and I was 33
• I am an oncology nurse. The guidelines are changing. TT June 2017. No RAI for now. Lymph nodes negative, all contained within the thyroid.
• None for me, I started taking all the amino acids after, helped.
• My endo said I did not need it and recommended me not doing it. I had a total done oct 2016 and my tests so far have came back great

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: Burrito Meat

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.

The secret to making outstanding taco/burrito meat? Is to add cooked white (or brown) rice to the hamburger, then use ample amounts of Taco Seasoning. 

If you have never tried this method with rice before? I highly recommend it!

Veggies for Lunch: Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl

I do not enjoy eating vegetables, but I know I need to get more vegetables into my diet. It can't all be salad, I need to find new and creative solutions. I am exploring a bunch of different options and I'll bring you along with me!

Today we are trying Kashi Sweet Potato Quinoa Bowl. It just takes 4.5 minutes in the microwave. The package says the meal has sweet potatoes, black beans, and kale ontop a bed of red quinoa and brown rice with a tomato and tamari sauce. There is also a picture of a green pepper on the package. The entire vegan meal has 270 calories, 12g fiber, and 9g protein and 6g fat.

Fresh out the microwave? It looks like a bowl full of mushed up stuff. I might see a few flakes of kale, but most of the green is coming from green peppers

There is very little flavor in the dish - even the sweet potatoes taste blan. For a guy who doesn't like vegitables? That's awesome! There is a little heat in the dish. I am not sure if the spice is from the pepper or perhaps the sauce. 

As mentioned, there is brown rice in this dish. As I search for a lunchtime vegitable dish, I dont want a lot of starchy rice. The amount of rice is very small and easily lost within the medley... plus, it is brown rice.

Would I buy this again?  YES

Celebrity Workouts: Kate Beckinsale

Why can't we all look like a celebrity? You've probably seen a celebrity and was impressed with their physic. When that happens, I like to look at that actor or actress's workout routine. I always say, if you want to look like an athlete? You need to work out like one. The same is true for celebrities.

There are many factors that go into why a celebrity is camera ready. Some of it is genetics. Not everyone is blessed with the genetics that a celebrity has that allows them to produce the magic they produce.  Beyond just generics, most celebrities are already in great shape. They do maintenance between movies so that getting movie ready isn't much of a change. Finally, being in great shape is their job. They are paid to be and stay in shape for their movie roles.

Kate Beckinsale, age 44 and mother of one, is known for movies such as Underworld, Pearl Harbor, Aviator, Total Recall, Serendipity, Click, and many more.

Much has been written about her workout routines that includes yoga and running on her home treadmill. When she is getting ready for a movie, her six times per week workout expands to a 3-2-1 workout: three cardio sessions, two circuit, and one core workout. The cardio includes high intensity training (30 seconds running followed by 30 seconds walking for 10 minutes). She explained in Us Magazine, "You get to the point where you almost can't bear it, and it changes to something else". Circuit training attacks every muscle and employs muscle confusion. Core goes after the abs and stability muscles.

According to Healthy Celeb,  she eats 3 meals, 2 snacks, and 1 liter or water minimum per day. Breakfast includes hard-boiled eggs, omlet with onion and tomato, or oatmeal. Snacks are popcorn, , baked Pirate's Booty, hummus, nectarines with yogurt, kale chips, or walnuts. For lunch, she does chicken, veggie wrap, mixed vegetable soup, or steamed brown rice. Dinner is grilled fish, turkey, chicken, or beans. She indulges on pancakes and pastry cakes.

Support Group: Cytomel

I scour the support groups for some of the best questions and answers. Everyone's names are removed for privacy. Answers may be summarized and/or edited.

Question: Is anyone taking cytomel and if so what are your thoughts on it ?

Answer:

• You have to be on synthroid/levo without a thyroid. Cytomel is just t3 medication. If your body /liver properly converts t4 to t3 you don't need it.
• I was only on it for 1 month then my endo put me back on synthroid. He said that synthroid was better to be on after surgery. I do have more enery being on synthroid.
• If I take it everyday I get heart palpitations and cannot sleep.
• My heart rate was too fast and blood pressure went up. 
• My doc prescribed it while I was waiting for RAI because it’s a short term med that leaves your system pretty quickly unlike levothyroxine.
• My energy levels were low so the doc added cytomel. So far so good
• I am on both Levo and Cytomel. I take 5mg of Cytomel twice a day, because it leaves your system quickly. The first few weeks I was on it, I had a ton of energy. It leveled out after that
• My Dr cut back my dosage my synthroid & added some cytomel. My moods are better & im noticing that i am losing the weight i gained on synthroid alone

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.

Week 4 2018 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.

Kevin's Kitchen: Chicken Vegetable Soup

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 meal takes five minutes to make, but don't tell anyone that! Tell them it took several hours. Take four cans of  mixed vegetables, two cans of chicken, and a large can of broth and dump them into a crockpot. Next, season it (I like Kick'n Chicken seasoning). Cook on low 4-8 hours. Easy, meaty, and... oh right... healthy. Dig in!