As I talk about my thyroid experience and the thought of cancer creeping into my mind, I start to remember my husbands brother. He died of cancer at 41.
He had been complaining for months about stomach pains and he was always taking pain killers. He started developing other symptoms and my husband asked if I could check on the internet to see if I can find out any information on his symptoms.
I did find some information but it was not good. I told my husband it sounds like Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma by the symptoms you have told me, but he needs to see a doctor to be sure and if its Lymphoma, he must go immediately. Especially since he seemed to have advanced symptoms.
He was afraid to go for a while, but after a few weeks of excruciating pain he does make an appointment. He sees a doctor but I don't know what went on during his appointment. My brother in law decides to go to a hospital close to his mother and he passed away a month later.
Apparently, by the time he saw a doctor, he had stage IV Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. It had spread mostly throughout his lower abdominal area. He must have had an idea what was happening to him because about 8 years previously, the oldest brother had died of the same disease at the age of 39, except that his disease was concentrated in the upper body.
I have to add that they had a sister die of a brain tumor at 41. So cancer is an important topic to us. I want to know all I can and why this could happen in one family. So as I study about thyroids I also study about cancer.
I am a believer in taking charge of your own health as much as you possibly can. Gain whatever knowledge you can and when you feel strange pains that are constant, see a doctor right away. It is not normal to feel pain all the time. I know some of us can tolerate more pain than others while some are more sensitive to pain. Just try to listen to your body and take the necessary action.
There's great information on the internet, talk to doctors and get second and third opinions but when it comes to certain cancers, time is of the essence. I also suggest not only going the conventional medicine way about cancer but also consider natural, alternative ways to prevent and treat cancer.
Cancer is now expected to strike 1 in 2 men and over 1 in 3 women in their lifetime. I have searched and researched and continue to search for information on prevention and cures for cancer and found this website http://www.naturalcancertreatments.com/index.htm that has very informative ebooks with lots of information like 350 different natural ways to treat cancer and alternatives to compliment chemotherapy treatments to make them more effective. In the website it also gives you some surprising ways you can prevent cancer like not consuming aspartame and having root canals.
There is a lot of information for you and I encourage everyone interested in prevention and cures for cancer to do some research. Following is a small list of sites that helped me get started and some new ones that I stumbled upon recently.
1. http://www.dana-farber.org/
2. http://www.oncolink.com/index.cfm
3. http://www.aacr.org/default.aspx
4. http://www.cancercare.org/
5. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp
6. http://www.cancermonthly.com/
7. http://www.oncologychannel.com/
8. http://www.cancercenter.com/
9. http://new-cancer-treatments.org/
10. http://www.cancertutor.com/index.html
11. http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/44.cfm
12. http://www.cancer.net/Cancer/cancer.html
And there is so much more information to find including information on specific cancers. I am looking forward to a cancer free world.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Is There A Thyroid Specialist In The House?
Yes! A resounding yes! I didn't want to get ahead of myself and think all was well. I went ahead and made an appointment to see this Thyroid Specialist. I really needed a second opinion before considering surgey and since the last doctor was an endocrinologist that focused mainly on patients with diabetes, I felt an opinion from the thyroid doctor would be significant.
My first meeting with him was comforting. Even though I read a lot on the thyroid and felt my chances of having cancer was pretty much zero, it was still in the back of my mind. And even if it wasn't cancer, what in the world could it be?
My first impression of the doctor was that he was a friendly, kind, caring doctor with lots of knowledge. I told him my symptoms and the information I got from the other doctor and he told me not to worry. He said he'll get to the bottom of the problem, look over the previous tests, and conduct the same tests again. By the way, he does many of his own tests to be sure of whats going on and not getting second hand knowledge.
I did tell the doctor of my experience of the (FNA) Fine Needle Biopsy, and I didn't want to do that again. I asked if he could just look at the last one that I did. He said he was going to look at the other tests that I had done but he wanted to do his own tests as well, since the other doctor said the tests were inconclusive anyway. He reassured me that his test wasn't going to hurt as much as the other one. He said he had a better technique.
The nurse drew some blood from me and the doctor performed the (FNA) guided by an ultrasound machine. Instead of being jabbed with a needle 12 different times like the last time, he only goes in once and got the six different samples. Of course it did not feel good to me but what a relief that I only had to have one needle go through my neck. He also did an ultrasound on my thyroid to see what condition it was in.
Now I wait for the results. All I can say is that I felt so much better coming out of his office that day. He explained things to me in an understanding, kind manner and the nurse and his staff were just as kind and understanding. After that visit, I felt positive and reassured that all was good.
My first meeting with him was comforting. Even though I read a lot on the thyroid and felt my chances of having cancer was pretty much zero, it was still in the back of my mind. And even if it wasn't cancer, what in the world could it be?
My first impression of the doctor was that he was a friendly, kind, caring doctor with lots of knowledge. I told him my symptoms and the information I got from the other doctor and he told me not to worry. He said he'll get to the bottom of the problem, look over the previous tests, and conduct the same tests again. By the way, he does many of his own tests to be sure of whats going on and not getting second hand knowledge.
I did tell the doctor of my experience of the (FNA) Fine Needle Biopsy, and I didn't want to do that again. I asked if he could just look at the last one that I did. He said he was going to look at the other tests that I had done but he wanted to do his own tests as well, since the other doctor said the tests were inconclusive anyway. He reassured me that his test wasn't going to hurt as much as the other one. He said he had a better technique.
The nurse drew some blood from me and the doctor performed the (FNA) guided by an ultrasound machine. Instead of being jabbed with a needle 12 different times like the last time, he only goes in once and got the six different samples. Of course it did not feel good to me but what a relief that I only had to have one needle go through my neck. He also did an ultrasound on my thyroid to see what condition it was in.
Now I wait for the results. All I can say is that I felt so much better coming out of his office that day. He explained things to me in an understanding, kind manner and the nurse and his staff were just as kind and understanding. After that visit, I felt positive and reassured that all was good.
Friday, August 22, 2008
I Decided Against Surgery
After the news I received from the doctor, I decided to learn more about thyroids. The thyroid is a complicated thing. It takes iodine, found in many foods, and converts it into thyroid hormones. Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism. The thyroid also helps regulate your body temperature.
Since I was told that I should remove my thyroid due to possible cancer, I had to research more information. I found out that over 99% of nodules are not cancerous. When cancer is present, it almost always grows within a discrete nodule, and becomes more aggressive the older you are.
There are four types of thyroid cancer some of which are much more common than others.
1. Papillary and/or mixed papillary/follicular ~ 78%
2. Follicular and/or Hurthle cell ~ 17%
3. Medullary ~ 4%
4. Anaplastic ~ 1%
Thyroid cancer is still relatively uncommon and usually very curable.
Considering these facts and many other facts that I researched, I decided against surgery.
I went to my next doctors appointment and tried to talk with the doctor and said I would like to do a wait and see approach. I did not want to rush into surgery on inconclusive evidence, especially since I read a lot about the thyroid.
He said I waited long enough and that I really need to schedule an appointment for surgery as soon as possible. He only had surgery on his mind and I did not feel he was listening to what I was saying. I know he went to school to be a doctor and knows a lot more than I do, but I really felt strongly about not going through with the surgery.
I ended up making an appointment for surgery but I started thinking that I am being taken in a direction I didn't want to go, I didn't feel like I was listened to, and the doctor could not justify to me or make me understand why I needed surgery right away.
I called back to cancel my appointment and I started looking for another doctor to get a second opinion. This time, I was looking for a Thyroid Specialist.
Since I was told that I should remove my thyroid due to possible cancer, I had to research more information. I found out that over 99% of nodules are not cancerous. When cancer is present, it almost always grows within a discrete nodule, and becomes more aggressive the older you are.
There are four types of thyroid cancer some of which are much more common than others.
1. Papillary and/or mixed papillary/follicular ~ 78%
2. Follicular and/or Hurthle cell ~ 17%
3. Medullary ~ 4%
4. Anaplastic ~ 1%
Thyroid cancer is still relatively uncommon and usually very curable.
Considering these facts and many other facts that I researched, I decided against surgery.
I went to my next doctors appointment and tried to talk with the doctor and said I would like to do a wait and see approach. I did not want to rush into surgery on inconclusive evidence, especially since I read a lot about the thyroid.
He said I waited long enough and that I really need to schedule an appointment for surgery as soon as possible. He only had surgery on his mind and I did not feel he was listening to what I was saying. I know he went to school to be a doctor and knows a lot more than I do, but I really felt strongly about not going through with the surgery.
I ended up making an appointment for surgery but I started thinking that I am being taken in a direction I didn't want to go, I didn't feel like I was listened to, and the doctor could not justify to me or make me understand why I needed surgery right away.
I called back to cancel my appointment and I started looking for another doctor to get a second opinion. This time, I was looking for a Thyroid Specialist.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Practical Life Extension
What Modern Science Says About Reversing The Aging Process
There's an old proverb that rings with wit and reason: "Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die." So why do we want to live forever? According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, author of "Chasing Life" and CNN's Senior Medical Corespondent, we do not.
The real quest isn't eternal life on earth according to Gupta, but rather an exceptional life.
While interviewing the foremost authorities on anti-aging and life extension, Dr. Gupta discovered three "universals" -- three principles that each researcher deemed critical to extending our lives naturally and empowering us to live exceptionally. They are:
1. Weight training
2. Good nutrition
3. Positive thinking and having purpose
Jon Benson, author of "Fit Over 40", explores each of these in great detail, as well as asking 52 men and women how they have managed to slow the hands of time down to a crawl. Benson does not waste time with hype and hypothesis. He focuses on real-world examples and applications we can all use to slow down the aging process and help prevent and reverse the conditions that can lead to disease.
Discover more today at Fit Over 40
You too can live a longer, more exceptional life by simply adopting a smart, realistic and enjoyable lifestyle fitness plan. And if science just happens to catch up with Father Time, you'll be many steps ahead of the curve.
There's an old proverb that rings with wit and reason: "Everyone wants to go to heaven but no one wants to die." So why do we want to live forever? According to Dr. Sanjay Gupta, author of "Chasing Life" and CNN's Senior Medical Corespondent, we do not.
The real quest isn't eternal life on earth according to Gupta, but rather an exceptional life.
While interviewing the foremost authorities on anti-aging and life extension, Dr. Gupta discovered three "universals" -- three principles that each researcher deemed critical to extending our lives naturally and empowering us to live exceptionally. They are:
1. Weight training
2. Good nutrition
3. Positive thinking and having purpose
Jon Benson, author of "Fit Over 40", explores each of these in great detail, as well as asking 52 men and women how they have managed to slow the hands of time down to a crawl. Benson does not waste time with hype and hypothesis. He focuses on real-world examples and applications we can all use to slow down the aging process and help prevent and reverse the conditions that can lead to disease.
Discover more today at Fit Over 40
You too can live a longer, more exceptional life by simply adopting a smart, realistic and enjoyable lifestyle fitness plan. And if science just happens to catch up with Father Time, you'll be many steps ahead of the curve.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Results Are In
Waiting for test results was so stressful for me. I had self diagnosed myself with hypothyroidism but I thought to myself, what if it is something else, something more serious. I convinced myself that I should just wait and that there is no reason to worry.
I went to my appointment and the doctor explained the results to me. First he explained the blood work. Mainly, the results meant that according to the blood analysis, my thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone. That can cause a low functioning thyroid which for me, included a slow metabolism. My thyroid was in a hypothyroid state but that really was not the diagnosis.
The ultrasound results found that my thyroid was enlarged, hence a goiter. It also had several small nodules. I didn't like the sound of that but It would seem obvious since my thyroid was protruding slightly out of my neck.
I couldn't wait to hear the results from the FNA because I thought for sure there would be a definitive answer to my situation especially since I had to do the test twice.
Well, are you ready to hear the unbelievable results? The results came back inconclusive! I said, "Inconclusive? What exactly are you saying?" The doctor said that he had no answer whether my thyroid had become cancerous or not. He mentioned that since I had 2 tests done and they were both inconclusive, that it would be best to consider having surgery to remove the thyroid.
I could not believe it. I might have cancer in my thyroid? I just listened to the doctors words and let it all soak in. I said I would consider all that he has told me.
He then prescribed a thyroid medication that could help me stay out of a hypothyroid state. We also scheduled another doctor visit.
I went to my appointment and the doctor explained the results to me. First he explained the blood work. Mainly, the results meant that according to the blood analysis, my thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone. That can cause a low functioning thyroid which for me, included a slow metabolism. My thyroid was in a hypothyroid state but that really was not the diagnosis.
The ultrasound results found that my thyroid was enlarged, hence a goiter. It also had several small nodules. I didn't like the sound of that but It would seem obvious since my thyroid was protruding slightly out of my neck.
I couldn't wait to hear the results from the FNA because I thought for sure there would be a definitive answer to my situation especially since I had to do the test twice.
Well, are you ready to hear the unbelievable results? The results came back inconclusive! I said, "Inconclusive? What exactly are you saying?" The doctor said that he had no answer whether my thyroid had become cancerous or not. He mentioned that since I had 2 tests done and they were both inconclusive, that it would be best to consider having surgery to remove the thyroid.
I could not believe it. I might have cancer in my thyroid? I just listened to the doctors words and let it all soak in. I said I would consider all that he has told me.
He then prescribed a thyroid medication that could help me stay out of a hypothyroid state. We also scheduled another doctor visit.
Friday, June 27, 2008
I Think I Am Hypothyroid
What? I should have my thyroid checked? I never thought much about thyroids and what did my thyroid have to do with the symptoms I was having.
After that visit with my doctor, I started doing some research as I was waiting for my appointment with the endocrinologist.
After all my research, I had self diagnosed myself with hypothyroidism but I knew that there were many different thyroid conditions and I would have to get a doctors opinion and diagnosis. Not only that, I convinced myself that all those diets and pills caused my thyroid to malfunction.
I had felt that my metabolism was progressively becoming more sluggish. I was trying all kinds of things that would help me increase my metabolism. Little did I know, I was doing all the wrong things and not helping my metabolism at all. I certainly did not think about the thyroid/metabolism connection.
Common Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
- Course, dry hair
- Dry, rough, pale skin
- Hair loss
- Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
- Muscle cramps & frequent muscle aches
- Constipation
- Depression
- Irritability
- Memory Loss
- Abnormal menstrual cycle
- Decreased libido
The symptoms vary from each person and by the severity of the thyroid hormone deficiency and the length of time the body has been deprived of the proper amount of hormone.
If you find it necessary to educate yourself about the thyroid, there is so much information on the web. I found a couple of interesting sites but again, there is so much out there for your review. I found http://www.endocrinologist.com/ to be a very informative website that you could start from. I also just recently stumbled across http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/iodine/ and in this section it discusses the iodine factor of the thyroid.
Finally, the day arrives when I meet with the endocrinologist. My vitals were checked and the doctor asked a lot of questions. I gave him a run down of my symptoms. He ordered a blood test, an ultrasound, and a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of my thyroid. I really hate needles but I was convinced by the pathologist that it was not going to be worse than the blood test I just took because the needle was smaller. But I am thinking, "needles in my neck?"
The pathologist proceeds to perform the FNA and he had to get 6 samples one at a time. Every needle he stuck in my neck hurt. I couldn't believe that I made it through all that. Then he says, "just a minute, I don't think I have good samples. I might have to do it again." Oh, he is playing a joke on me, right? No, he was serious. I went through another set of six needles. I didn't want to talk because it hurt to do so, my neck became swollen, red, and bruised.
Well, I survived and I was glad that was over with. Soon I will get the results and move on with my life.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Do You Have A Thyroid Condition?
It's Summertime. If we didn't get that clue from the kids out on summer vacation or the very warm weather, we definitely got the clue from all those diet and go to the gym ads. Of course we hear these ads all year long but it seems that it doesn't hit us until summer. I don't know about you, but after spending so much money on so many diet plans and pills that have failed me, I still fall for their ads.
The weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. You would think that we all would be healthy and trim by now. But it seems we are just getting bigger and more unhealthy. Could the weight loss industry actually be making us and keeping us fat? I would hate to think so but it's a question that I have.
After all of my years searching and spending money on so many magic pills, shakes, prescriptions, diet centers, pre-packaged foods and the list goes on (I don't have to tell you because you know exactly what I am talking about), the weight always came back. Why?
First of all, the small amounts of weight I lost took a long time to lose and I was also working out one hour 4/5 days a week. Then, I couldn't lose anymore weight no matter what I tried. I would become fatigued throughout the day. There were days I looked puffy. There were days I felt cold when it was warm. I just wasn't feeling good anymore and I had absolutely no energy.
On a doctors visit one day, my doctor asked if I had a thyroid condition. I said, "no, I don't think so". She suggested that I see an endocrinologist to have my thyroid tested, not only for the symptoms I was having but she noticed a minor lump protruding out of my neck. I didn't notice the lump but I am glad that she did. Thyroids never entered my mind. This was the day I started my journey to better health and realizing that all those diets were wrong for me. I also found something that worked better for me than strenuous exercises that caused joint pain. It was yoga. I also realized that there were certain foods I should limit or just eliminate from my diet and its not what you think it is.
So, if you feel that you have tried everything there is to try and it's been very hard for you to lose weight, consider having your thyroid and thyroid function checked.
Karen
Karen
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