I’ve never been good at that. Hell, I can’t even keep up with this blog. While the hubs was home, all my “extra” time was family time. There isn’t much extra time after work shifts, deadlines, research, riding, household stuff, and my daughter, so I felt guilty using any of that 30 seconds on this chronicle. But, he’s out of town this week, so I hope to catch up. A little. Maybe. Read the rest of this entry »
In honor of the State of the Union address tonight, or rather in spite of it (I work this evening, so will probably miss the whole thing), I thought I’d give an update on my health, and pursuit thereof.
I diligently visit the lab every 5 weeks and suffer extreme exsanguination have my blood drawn. I diligently visit my endocrinologist the following week, we talk, he rubs my throat like a Buddha, and he increases my meds. Lather, rinse, repeat. Read the rest of this entry »
Seriously? I haven’t posted since before Christmas? You would think I was sitting on my ass eating bon bons. Let’s recap what has been going on…
I’ve begun writing a weekly column for Dear Thyroid, as the editor-in-chief of health care and designed and manage the Dear Thyroid Forum content. Cool. Time consuming.
I’ve been dealing with one seriously nappy pony, who was good, and then really bad, and then sore, and now good.
I’ve been reconstructing my marriage, which is going well, thankyouverymuch.
I’ve been working quite a lot actually at my “real” job.
I was elected the Vice President of the world North Carolina Dressage and Combined Training Association.
Don’t worry, I still have lots to say. And some health updates and information, which is the whole point of this endeavor. I’ll update more soon!
I hope everyone had a good Christmas. My picture of a good holiday has evolved over the years–I’m less focused on gifts for me, and all about spending time with people I care about. This marked the first year that my daughter truly understood Christmas and Santa–which was good and bad. It was wonderful to help her “write” a letter to Santa and watch her open gifts with such innocence and delight. It was not so wonderful to watch her become wound tighter and tighter as December progressed, barely able to contain her spirited nature as the prospect of a sack full of toys drew closer and closer. I think we’ll try to abbreviate the process by decorating later next season (instead of the weekend after Thanksgiving).
So what the hell does this have to do with health or horses? And does that post time stamp really say 4-something AM? Yup. Read the rest of this entry »
Thyoliday Blues and Truths
Ah, the holidays. Holidays can be difficult and different for many reasons. Of course, there is always the requisite family drama present, but that’s not specific to the holidays. I have no family left of my own, so the holidays mean my closest friends, and my husband’s very large nuclear and extended family, some of which we only see this time of year.
I’m happy to journal my holidays and the impact of my Hashimoto’s disease on the festivities. I was asked by Katie at Dear Thyroid to join their holiday blog tour in “an effort to create awareness for thyroid diseases and thyroid cancers.” So let me introduce my Dear Thyroid holiday blog tour installment: Read the rest of this entry »
…or maybe my thyroid is…
http://dearthyroid.org/jimi-thyndrix/
Garsh, I love these guys…and who doesn’t like them some Jimi?
I’m not sure why, but I certainly have not been feeling well lately. My compressive throat symptoms have naggingly returned, and my intestines have cramped and churned for days. I wanted to blame it initially on the thought that I must have ingested some gluten. I mean, I had been feeling so well eating gluten free for what, 6 weeks or so? Thanksgiving went great, no usual traveling complications, and then a couple days after my return–WHAM!–feeling like I’ve gone back in time several months.
Read the rest of this entry »
I don’t know who Pamela is, or why she needs to be gluten free. The background page of the Pamela’s Products website talks about a family history of “health foods” and her desire to do it just a little better. All I can say is, mission accomplished!
Pamela's Products Baking Mix
I had another “meeting” with my endocrinologist the day before Thanksgiving. Don’t get me wrong, it would seem that I have really lucked out in the endo department–most thyroid patients complain that in one manner or another, they are underserved (to put it lightly) by the medical profession. But so far, for my $20 copay (for 5 visits now, goodbye Benjamin), he looks at my labs drawn the week prior, listens to me tell him what is better/worse/same regarding my health the previous 6 weeks, and briefly feels my thyroid (which always has fullness on the right). Read the rest of this entry »
I have successfully survived my first GF Thanksgiving. Ah, Thanksgiving–it has always been my favorite holiday. Fall weather, colored trees, cozy sweaters, family, and FOOD. No what-do-I-buy-whatshername, no freezing my buns and scraping the windshield. What’s not to like? Read the rest of this entry »
I used to be a singer. By that, I mean that there was a time in my life where people actually PAID to hear me sing. Music is a really big part of my life–I like all kinds of music (except new/popular country–yuck!), and listen and sing along all the time. Read the rest of this entry »
It still doesn’t suck! The learning curve is still steep, but I really think it will be no time at all before this GF lifestyle is completely second nature.
I did try a few new recipes. I made Elana’s Pantry Chocolate Chip cookies, which were delicious and easier to make than “regular” cookies. Read the rest of this entry »
Today, Katie Schwartz at Dear Thyroid made a special announcement that’s been hard to keep secret–they are starting a forum, and yours truly will be the Forum Manager!!!! Since my diagnosis, Dear Thyroid has seriously been one my daily highlights. Read the rest of this entry »
The pivotal symptom catapulting me down the Gland Canyon was feeling a lump in my throat.
The Grand Canyon
A hallmark of thyroid disease is mental fog. My first letter has been published on Dear Thyroid–1 week ago. Did I shout it from the rooftops? Nope. I posted on FaceBook, but totally forgot about posting it here!
I blame my thyroid. Sure. Let’s just call it that…
I have been gluten free (GF, in the parlance) for 1 week now. Last week I was scared to death. This week I ate rather well, thankyouverymuch.
I made 2 loaves of bread, one fair, on good. The second, good, loaf is gone. Yup, that good. I made GF pancakes from scratch twice–and my daughter has declared these (almond flour based) breakfast delights “…the BEST, YUMMIEST pancakes EVER!” We had yogurt, sandwiches, and hummus for lunches, and baked chicken, fish and a delicious beef stew for dinners.
I think I’m gonna be okay! Read the rest of this entry »
I have not eaten my first loaf of gluten free bread. Honestly, I just haven’t been in the mood for a dense-type bread at the moment. But I finished my last slice of chock-full-o’-gluten sourdough today, and decided if I want french toast or sandwiches, I had better keep looking for another recipe. Read the rest of this entry »
And the reviews? Mixed, but mostly favorable.
I jumped right in earlier this week after reading Liz’s post on Dear Thyroid about coconut flour as an alternative to gluten based flours. We enjoy a good zucchini chocolate chip bread in this household, so we tried a coconut flour based, gluten free (GF) version for mini muffins from Elana Amsterdams’s GF website, Elana’s pantry. Read the rest of this entry »
Gluten Free.
These are 2 of the scariest words for me. I have worked really hard to eat healthfully, really starting with my pregnancy a few years back. Read the rest of this entry »
I am still in denial.
I would like to tell you that I get it, but really I don’t. My brain understands that I will be on medication for the rest of my life. My brain understands that should I continue to be poorly regulated, that my disease is likely to shorten my life (possibly by as much as 10 years). My brain understands that having an autoimmune disease makes me many times more likely to develop other autoimmune diseases.
But still I wake up every morning and 1) have to remember to take my damn pills (I’ve only truly forgotten once in 5 months), and 2) wonder if I will feel “normal” today (fat chance). I do still have anger that I can’t just get cured. I do still have this romantic, longing daydream that somehow this has all been a mistake.
I am still in denial.
