JUDY KIRBY - CONVICTED OF 1ST DEGREE MURDER - DEFENSE SAID BECAUSE OF A MISMANAGED THYROID



Judy Kirby pictured here, at her arrest. She ultimately received a 215 year prison sentence.

This may not seem thyroid related, but it is…If you have read my first book, you know that I briefly mentioned the story of Judy Kirby. To my knowledge she is the first person ever charged and convicted of 1^st degree intentional murder with the defense of a mismanaged thyroid disorder.

Her story is very important to me, because I hear of so many people taking their thyroid care lightly. Some stop taking their medication, some frustratingly leave doctors and won’t find new ones; others say they take it “when they remember.” It hurts my heart to hear these things because I know the intricacies of Judy Kirby’s story so well, as I have spent the last three years talking to her just about every week, sometimes multiple times a week. The consequences of not taking care of your thyroid disease can be detrimental.   She is fine now because she is forced to get adequate treatment from her prison doctor (there are consequences if a prisoner will not take their medications or takes them improperly).

As I began to delve into this project, I realized that continued efforts into writing this book is going to take funds. Funds for… interviews, (police officers, lawyers, jurors) court documents, police documents, travel, etc…I won’t give up! This story is too compelling, with many elements not reported in the media.

So, to make a long story short, I believe I may have found a way to raise money so that I can get her important story out. I have a children’s book that I had written a long time ago, but never did anything with it, it stayed on my shelf getting dusty. I figured this would be an easier way to raise money AND self-publish a book that has always been near and dear to my heart.

Please donate and share if you can. If my goal is not reached, the money that you’ve donated will go directly back to you. Kickstarter does not get the money. They receive a small percentage, only if I reach my goal.

Thanks so much in advance.

Carol

P.S. Judy's book will be called Sentenced for Sickness, 215 years, The Judy Kirby Story.

Here is the link, to donate money to Why Did God Give, children's book.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1989757961/why-did-god-give

NEW DIAGNOSIS - WHAT YOU MAY HEAR REPEATEDLY

It’s a New Year, so typically it’s customary for the resolutioners to start this and quit that.

But, for those of us who are seasoned autoimmunees and thyroid sufferers, our resolution…err um…perhaps… focus…is a better word, centers around our health.

With my health in the forefront of my mind every year, I have made huge strides in getting back to normalcy and in some cases exceeding my expectations…However, I do still have problem areas that I continue to work on with much effort (my eyes, skin and weight) Ah yes, the thyroid affects so much!

But enough about me, since this is a New Year, I want this blog post to center around those who just received a new diagnosis and who is beginning their journey of wellness in 2014.

To help you on your journey as a newbie, I want to highlight things that you will repeatedly hear from others:

1. “But you don’t look sick” Or “You look fine to me” OR “Are you sure you don’t feel like doing anything?” - Hearing this, can be frustrating at times, but try not to let it bother you…even though, you want to shout out to the world “YOU HAVE NO IDEA!!” Undue stress, is the absolute one thing you don’t need in your life right now. Stress will slow down your healing process for sure. Plus, it’s not their fault, they don’t have your affliction and don’t know what you are enduring…AND since you wouldn’t wish this on your worst enemy, I’m sure you wouldn’t want them to know what your illness actually feels like…right?...right? Hmmm, I can’t really hear you…

2. “It’s not thyroid related, that’s what happens when you get older” – How do you combat this? Well, unless you are Benjamin Button, you are, in fact, always getting older. Sigh…So, just know this is the stock answer you will receive from many healthcare providers who have no idea and are without any solutions to your symptoms. If you get this answer, quickly MOVE ON, to another provider, don’t waste your time. You aren’t supposed to completely fall apart during the aging process, I was given this silly answer by a doctor in my thirties.


3. “Do your own research”– You will hear this advice from others who have the disease. Most MD’s aren’t too keen on you doing research as they want you only to listen to THEIR suggestions about YOUR body. If you have an unyielding doctor who refuses to work collaboratively regarding your health…again, move on. I can’t stress this enough. When I first heard someone say that their healing began when they started doing their own research, they didn’t necessarily get hung up on their disease, but concentrated more so on what the thyroid controls. This is excellent advice because it causes one to focus on wellness instead of the sickness. Our disease is primarily what traditional doctors focus on. I wanted to focus on what a well thyroid does and work towards this functionality with fixing depletions, through diet and balancing hormone levels. THIS IS A LOT OF WORK, but worth it.

I raise my glass of healthy H20 and propose a toast, to my thyroid family new and old, may 2014 bring you much health, healing and happiness.

CTL

Don't forget to get your copy of my thyroid book, Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy. Buy it on Amazon today.

BLOODLETTING - LET ME HAVE MY TEST RESULTS!

It’s the phone call you’ve been waiting for…

“Your test results came back normal”

The only time I would cringe at these words is when I KNEW something wasn’t, well…normal.
“IT CAN’T BE NORMAL!”

And the hopelessness I felt would intensify because I knew what would come next…a rush by the nurse or doctor to get me off the phone. It felt like they couldn’t hang up fast enough, so they could yell out…”Got rid of another hypochondriac, before they could ask any questions, Woo Hoo!”

Who made up these “normal” or “in range” lab values? And what is even more puzzling is why it is so difficult to get a copy of YOUR results from the doctor’s office. I used to accept them not giving (or offering) a copy, but now, as a seasoned thyroid patient, not getting my lab paperwork is not an option.

Making it a rule to get your test results will:

1. Give you an idea of what is “normal” for YOU. If your thyroid levels were slightly out of range but you felt great, talk to your doctor about this. Bring to him/her your old tests outlining when you felt good and when you didn’t.

2. Help you to see if you are progressing with a certain medication or declining. Don’t leave it up to your memory.

3. If it ever comes to the point of needing to fire your current doctor and you will want to provide this information to your new one. I recently did this and my new doc was so impressed by this.

4. See if a mistake was made. (My sister was recently told by her primary care physician that her test results were normal. Later she was getting examined by her gynecologist who called up her results on the computer. “They told you your test results were normal? They don’t look normal to me”, said her gynecologist. – Obviously a mistake was made and this happens more than you think, it doesn’t hurt to double check.

They took your blood, and now it feels like it is also going to take sweat and tears just to get those results in your hands. Some doctor’s offices try to make it an all out war to give them to you, but here’s a couple of ways you can get them easily, bypassing the doctor altogether:

1. Many doctor’s offices send you to an independent lab, when you check in at one of these labs, before they draw blood ask them to send you a copy, as well as the doctor’s office. They should oblige, but may have you fill out a release form.

2. There’s been a recent trend where doctor’s offices have signed on as employees or contractors with large hospital networks. These hospital networks are starting to incorporate convenient, secure access to your medical information (including lab work) online. With a login and password, you can easily see your results.

BEWARE: Reading through test results is like trying to understand Algebra or interest rates. Don’t jump to any conclusions if you happen to see the results before your doctor goes over them with you. If you’re like me, you would be convinced you will awake with tentacles in the morning. No need to add undue stress, to an already “not all that fun” experience.

Good luck my thyroid brothers and sisters on your quest of maneuvering through the lab work labyrinth.

CTL

YOU KNOW YOUR THYROID HORMONE LEVELS ARE OFF WHEN...

Top ten ways, you know your thyroid hormone levels are off:

1.  You are watching a television show and during the commercial break, you totally forget what television show you are watching. Hmm…what do I have on… Downton Abbey or CSI?

2. Your arguments with your significant other end in… “Oh whatever.” Because you can’t think of anything else to say.

3. You can’t remember if or when you took your thyroid medication(s), the same medication that will likely help get you back to your normal levels.

4.  You are no match intellectually with your children (or any household pets).

5.  It doesn’t matter what is the forecasted weather, you know, you will either need to wear a parka (hypo) or anything sleeveless (hyper) to work.

6.  You are sleepy in the morning, after coffee, before lunch, during lunch, after lunch and when the sun goes down.

7.  Forgetting something is taken to a whole other level…it is not like something normal like forgetting where you placed your keys. It is like forgetting your address, the ages of your children or the make/model and color of your car.

8.  You are looking, looking…I mean seriously looking…tearing the house apart. You are putting a lot of effort into this organized bloodhound and rescue type-search. This search has been going on for the past 60 minutes…then suddenly on the 62^nd minute, you forgot what you were searching for (time for a nap).

9. You look at a simple word like “THE”…cock your head sideways and say, “Is that how you spell that word?”

10.Your train of thought is like the little engine that couldn’t.

 But of course, for me…most of these thyroid hormone-related issues hardly ever happen… because, well… my Endo says my TSH is primarily “within normal range.” (sarcasm)

Crazy Thyroid Lady

What!? You haven't purchased my thyroid book yet? Do it now, it is a quick and easy read. Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy

WHAT COLOR IS YOUR LUNULA?

Hi thyroid family! How’s it going? I hope all is well with your health. If you are like me… when all is quiet with my health…for example, no wild blood level swings, no colds, no headaches or freaky maladies, sometimes the “Negative Nelly” in me wonders when the other shoe is going to drop…, because, well…we know the thyroid affects so much.

With my autoimmune thyroid disease, I try to stay proactive with my health, by being vigilant. I feel this is important because going from well to ill can happen in a blink of an eye. While you are on the phone making plans with your friends, “Sure I’ll go shopping with you this weekend, I’ve been feeling great!” Your body on the inside is saying, “Muwwwahhhhh, shopping… that is what she thinks!”

It is hard to know what the inside of your body is doing, however there are several things to check for on the outside….. Remember my poop post? Checking your poop to determine your health, is one way, but if you have an aversion to excrement examinations, then there is a more dainty way: examining your nails.

Lunula – The white crescent shape at the base of your fingernails. If it is discolored, missing or non-existent it could mean nutritional deficiencies.

Nail pitting and ridges – Psoriasis, dermatitis, alopecia, kidney disorders anemia or arthritis.

Nail Clubbing – Inflammatory bowel, lung, cardiovascular or liver disease.

Spoon Nails – Anemia, Liver condition, heart disease or hypothyroidism.

Terry’s Nails (your nails look opaque, but the tip has a dark band) – liver disease, congestive heart failure or diabetes.

Beau’s Nails (indentations that run across the nails) – Zinc deficiency, high fever, pneumonia, circulatory diseases, peripheral vascular disease, malnutrition or diabetes.

Nail Separation – Psoriasis or thyroid disease.

Warning: Now that you have this knowledge, you may become a nailstalker. I caught myself starring at everyone’s nails at a board meeting the other day. But, it did make the otherwise boring, somewhat tolerable...

Crazy Thyroid Lady
Don't forget to get your copy of my thyroid book Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy

THE EYES HAVE IT

William Shakespeare said, “The eyes are the window to the soul”…

If someone were to peak into my eyes, they would see a soul wearing boxing gloves punching the heck out of my thyroid disease.

I have spent many years trying to figure out this cryptic disease and its' devastating affects on so many body parts.

Remembering back to when I was first diagnosed, my doctor described the symptoms I could experience. Talking in her usual Speedy Gonzalez manner, her prognosis was difficult to follow, until she got to the part about my eyes…MY EYES???...did you say my eyes?

That was scary!

It's difficult to remain calm when there is a possibility of any eye deterioration, but we must do so because undue stress has no place in an autoimmunees life. Staying hyper vigilant (sans paranoia) is the best thing for us, when it comes to our bodies.

Eye problems can be common for those suffering from thyroid disease, other endocrine disorders or autoimmune diseases-such as Addison’s, Graves’, Sjogren’s syndrome and Diabetes…just to name a few.

Some common eye problems associated with the aforementioned afflictions are:

Dry Eyes–A decrease in tear production.

Eye Twitching–Twitching or spasms around the eyes.

Floaters–Small moving spots that appear in your field of vision.

Continuous eye watering–Primarily a symptom of hyperthyroidism.

Snow Vision–People see snow or television like static in parts or in their entire field of vision.

Blurry Vision–Lack of sharpness, inability to see fine detail.

Double Vision–Seeing two of everything.
Double Vision–Seeing two of everything.

(hahhahahaha, I couldn't resist)

Puffy eyes-Usually associated with hypothyroidism.

I know it can be a hassle, if you are like me thinking…”Ugh, I don’t feel like going to another doctor for incessant check-ups, but we have to keep kicking our illness' butt!

Now go my fellow thyroidians…put YOUR boxing gloves on and keep fighting!

The Crazy Thyroid Lady

CLEANING HOUSE

Since I’ve written a blog post about poop, I feel as though I can talk to you guys about anything. We are all family, right?

OK, so, I want to discuss with y’all a word that is even more vile and disgusting than poop. I cringe when I hear this word…the word is clean….AHHHHHHHH…UGGGHHHH!

This word and everything about it, has always been my arch nemesis… the albatross around my neck. The Great White Whale who has chomped off parts of my soul and taken it to depths so low that I am unsure it could ever be recovered?

I hated cleaning my house EVEN before my thyroid autoimmune disease; can you imagine how I feel about it now?

I have tried everything to make the process easier for me:

I’ve tried to mimic Luke Skywalker, by using “the force” to help clean my house…this method works to some extinct. My house is a sparkling show home, although, only in my imagination.

I’ve tried pretending there are little miniature parents on my shoulders yelling at me to clean. But then, I would yell back, get all stressed out and would end up running into my room crying.

I’ve tried twitching my nose like that blond chick on that 60’s and 70’s television show, but this caused me to go into a sneezing fit and then I would have to lie down.

I’ve tried to get my husband and son to do all the housework, by using hints, threats, whining, ultimatums, bribery, blackmail, coercion, flattery…oh and I did just come right out and ask once…but they see nothing wrong with our humble abode. They are perfectly OK with wallowing around in the pig sty. This does not make mamma happy and ordinarily they will try to do whatever it takes to keep mamma happy…except cleaning….well, this is where they draw the line.

Please HELP the Crazy Thyroid Lady!

Anyone have any helpful cleaning tips for this thyroid autoimmunee?

And don’t say “hire a maid” unless you are willing to donate to the Crazy Thyroid Lady cleaning fund...Tee hee

BOOST YOUR IMMUNE

This week’s blog is dedicated to those who suffer from one or more autoimmune diseases. I take my hat off to you! Having to endure the daily struggles of your respective invisible illness is truly a heroic feat, and in my opinion, there should be a national holiday dedicated to you.

Some well-known AD’s are:

•Crohn’s disease
•Celiac disease
•Endometriosis
•Fibromyalgia
•Graves’ Disease
•Hashimoto’s
•Lupus
•Multiple Sclerosis
•Myasthenia Gravis
•Myositis
•Polymyositis
•Psoriasis
•Rheumatoid Arthritis
•Scleroderma
•Sjogren’s Syndrome
•Type 1 Diabetes
•Vitiligo

Not only are you a hero, but you are also the foremost leading expert of autoimmune disease because you are living it! Seriously, YOU are the leading expert! Because the other “experts” don’t know how it is acquired, how to cure it, how to control it, or in some cases, how to treat them.

In the meantime, until the scientific and medical community finally catches up to our expertise, it may be a good idea to stay away from foods that lower our immune system, so that we can stay on top of our game.

SOME FOODS THAT LOWER IMMUNITY

1.SODAS
2.SUGAR
3.DEEP FRIED FOODS
4.PROCESSED FOODS
5.CAFFEINE (LOOKS AROUND…WHO SAID THAT?)

SOME FOODS THAT BOOST IMMUNITY

1. YOGURT
2. GARLIC
3. TEA –GREEN OR BLACK-NO CAFFEINE
4. FISH
5. SWEET POTATOES

SOME VITAMINS AND MINERALS THAT BOOST IMMUNITY

1. VITAMIN C
2. VITAMIN D
3. ZINC
4. IRON
5. COPPER

***Please note: check with your MD before taking any vitamins or minerals as they can interfere with other medications.

I am a klutz! I run into anything on a regular…chairs, tables, walls, people…I don’t really have a preference as to who or what I bump into. I have bruises on my arms and legs quite often. Before I started eating healthier and increasing my vitamin and mineral intake, I used to carry bruises on my body for six months or longer! Now they are gone in about a week. My body is doing what it is supposed to do. Finally…it is about time!

The Crazy Thyroid Lady

YOU ARE FULL OF IT

This week’s picture has nothing to do with the blog. I figured if I put up a picture of what my blog is about…y’all probably would not read it.

I want to talk about something that no one wants to talk about…wait a minute… Dr. Oz talks about it…OK, I want to talk about something the Crazy Thyroid Lady and Dr. Oz only talks about. Poop, ca-ca, feces, doo-doo, boo-boo, pooh, jobby, fudge brownie…and the term most of us we were taught when we were just wee kiddos…number two!

I am not ashamed to talk about it and you shouldn’t either. We all do it and it all stinks -some more than others, I’m sure.

It is something us thyroidians should keep an eye on. Diarrhea usually signifies hyperthyroidism and constipation typically means one is hypothyroid. Either condition is crappy.

Chronic diarrhea can cause – Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and mal-nutrition.

Chronic constipation may cause-Hemorrhoids, Fecal Impaction and rectal prolapse.

Those symptoms could become serious, all the more reason to hound that health care professional of yours to go by how you feel and what’s going on with your body rather than by your lab numbers.

The link below is a turd tutorial from Dr. Oz about poop consistency and color:

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/poop-primer

Don’t be ashamed to talk crap anymore, if you have concerns about any chronic irregularities with your bowel movements make sure your health care professional is aware.

Crazy Thyroid Lady

CHANGING SEASONS

Right now, as I am sitting here typing this blog, I am sick with a cold. I type, wipe my nose…type, wipe my nose. This synchronistic event is quite annoying.

Being sick is annoying. Grrr…I am really annoyed right now. I am annoyed because this particular malady I brought on myself.

I have an autoimmune disease, therefore, I MUST remember to take many things into consideration and make preparations to avoid infections. Especially during the changing of seasons which is when I am most vulnerable.

I don’t know about you, but the seasonal changes are very hard on this autoimmunee. Which is why I try to work extra hard to prepare, but occasionally I forget my affliction and do something stupid like Spring cleaning with harmful chemicals without wearing a mask. (type…wipe my nose)

I live in the Midwest. We have four seasons. I know this, so why do I act like it comes as a complete shock sometimes? I mean…I am a living creature…right? Shouldn’t I instinctively be prepared? Birds and Blue hairs go to great lengths (pun intended) to get ready for the cold months. Amphibians leave their winter homes where they migrate in pools for mating in the Spring. Leaves change their colors in the Fall...

Anyway, so there are the things I need to consider prior to the changes of each season and I sharing them with you:

WINTER – Stay in shape. I try to do more exercises that promote flexibility and movement. Wintertime is when I used to have severe aches and pains. When I incorporated yoga, more weight training and stretching during the winter the pain subsided. Hot baths are also good for the body during this time of year.

SPRING – Spring cleaning. I love Spring, and get anxious to open up the house and get things clean. The problem is, I have seasonal outdoor allergies, and I am highly sensitive to chemicals. Cleaning with chemicals, coupled with the fact that just about all the lawns outside in my neighborhood are treated with chemicals, is a recipe for an infection. I have to remember to purchase a heavy duty painter’s mask and use safe cleaning solutions during my cleaning craze. (OK, so maybe it is not an animal’s natural instinct to avoid harmful man-made chemicals…I don’t think God intended us to go around wearing masks…but sigh, this is the world we live in today). I don't care if they make me look like a crazed lunatic...

SUMMER – Get some vitamin D. This is our opportunity to “naturally” get something that most autoimmunees are deficient in. However, don’t overdo it, I know for me, I can get extremely ill if I am exposed to the sun for a prolonged period of time.

FALL–Fall is so pretty. I love the outdoors during this time, but I must realize the prevalent mold spores are my “kryptonite.” This is when I need to break out the heavy artillery! Fruits and Veggies. I must admit, sometimes I get too busy to prepare healthy fruits and veggies, but during the fall, I make it a point to consume more green!

Scientific studies have shown that seasonal changes can definitely shock and tax the immune system. Reading all of that scientific mumbo jumbo would certainly fall on deaf ears, because I listen to what my body says, and it tells me to eat healthy, avoid chemicals, take vitamins and stay in shape. All this will no doubt put a spring in my step.

Crazy Thyroid Lady

THYROID TeeTeeR ToTTer

I’ve swayed back and forth on the thyroid see-saw, for many many years now. Hyper/Hypo/Hyper/Hypo…Shooo, I’m dizzy! But, one good thing has come out of this recreation; I am sooo in tune with my body.

For example:

FOOD

Hypo-Don’t have much of an appetite, during this time. Digesting food is a sloowwww process! I believe Thanksgiving’s turkey dinner is still in there (sorry, that was gross). This is what’s frustrating about hypo, you are eating the least amount of food in a group setting, yet may be the only one who will visibly wear those calories in a day or two.

Hyper-Can’t seem to get enough to eat. I try to stay away from the grocery stores during this time. I want sugar, sugar and more sugar. I supremely crave a Dairy Queen Waffle bowl, (dipped in chocolate) ice cream sundae. What is crazy is that ordinarily, I don’t care for ice cream much. I seriously can’t have sugar near me, or else it is just not a fair fight.

SKIN

Hyper-My nails begin growing out of control. This is usually the first thing I notice when I am getting to much thyroid medication because I type on a keyboard for a living. Clickety-clacking nails on a keyboard are worse than nails on a chalkboard in my opinion. My skin is as smooth as a baby, this is one big plus for hyper.

Hypo-Skin becomes sandpaper-like. I can douse my skin in baby oil, yet, still take off a layer of paint with my forearm.

EYES

Hyper-Watery eyes and snow vision (snow vision is - visual symptom where people see snow or television-like static in parts or the whole of their visual fields, especially against dark backgrounds. It is much like camera noise in low light conditions). My eyes also look like I am on crack-cocaine-very wide eyed.

Hypo–Eyes are fine, but just a little dry.

NEURO

Hyper–Bad mood, irritable, jump sky high in the air if someone comes up behind me. My nerves are shot. No patience. Caustic tongue.

Hypo-Much more pleasant to be around. Don’t have the caustic speech because my brain cannot think fast enough to keep up with most conversations.

**Too Hyper–Weepy, hateful and just a monster that the Boogey man would be afraid to pal around with.

**Too Hypo–Apathy. Don’t care much for anything really. Beyond depression. The actual Boogey man could jump out from my closet with a hatchet and I probably would not blink.

OTHER

Hyper-Constant foot tapping, Fatigue, joint pain, muscle weakness.
Hypo-Fatigue, forgetfulness

Consequently, the next time I visit my Endo, GP, Gyno, Cardio, Chiro, Ortho, ENT and Ophthalmologist with any new concerns. I will tell them to please understand something, don’t dismiss me because...

I KNOW MY BODY!

I want to hear from you! What have you noticed when you seem to be getting too much or not enough thyroid hormone?

Crazy Thyroid Lady

FIVE WAYS TO AVOID THE WORK WeaK

I work outside of the home five days a week. If you include my commute, I could easily be in “work mode” more than ten hours each day. If I don’t use those ten hours wisely, then by Friday-after work, I’m in bed faster than you can say “It’s the weekend!”

Seriously, I am just one big blur from my office door to my mattress at home. Some people spend Friday evening rockin’ to music during happy hour at their local pub, for me, if it has been a stressful, crazy week it’s rockabye baby!

I don’t want it to be like this! The weekends are supposed to be reserved for family, friends, fun and frolic.

To avoid coming down with my case of the “Fridays” I’ve come up with some ways to avoid this, and decided to pass it along to my thyroid family.

1. GO TO BED AT A DECENT TIME EACH NIGHT-I have found after contracting a thyroid disorder, I require more sleep. Therefore, I make sure I catch the right amount of zzzzz’s each night. To ensure a quality night’s sleep it is important to get exercise, eat a proper diet (not eating close to bedtime) and try to go to bed around the same time each night.

2. TIME MANAGEMENT-Create a daily “to do” list. This is a must for me, can’t rely on my memory anymore to get things done, sadly…those days are over. Plus, forgetting some important daily chores can cause unnecessary stress and stress can prevent a good night’s sleep.

3. WHY SO SERIOUS? – Chill out! You don’t have to be the office buffoon by putting fish in the water cooler or super gluing everything to the boss’s desk (this is not an admission of guilt in anyway) however, being way too serious all the time can cause an excess of worry, anxiety and depression. Those three things can lead to poor decision making.

4. TAKE A FEW MINI BREAKS-My workload is so large that taking too many breaks throughout the day would cause me an insurmountable amount of stress. I have to be careful not step away too many times, but at the same time, it is important to take a breather every once in a while.

5. AVOID THE COMPANY EMOTIONAL VAMPIRE-I know you have one! They lurk in every office. It gives these people great pleasure to see you in distress and they make it their mission to try to find ways to suck more of the life out of you. The best way to slay this person is to NOT let them get to you. Easier said than done, I know (especially if this is management) but the sooner you show this person that your “blood” is not available, they will seek out another victim.

There you have it!! It’s only five days but it can seem like a month if those days are filled with stress and monotony.

Make the most out of the week and create a STRONG Friday finish!

Love ya

Crazy Thyroid Lady!

GIVE SOME THYROID LOVE AND SUPPORT

Hello Family,

As Thyroid Awareness month draws to a close. I want to thank those who participated in the Crazy Thyroid Lady Survey…thanks so much. If you haven’t filled out the brief survey please do so before it ends on January 31st. (Survey links are on the top right corner of this page)

Also, I want to encourage everyone to support each other. Thyroid disease is very difficult. Give a fellow thyroid sufferer a hug, (real or cyber) tell him/her it will be OK. Support thyroid blogs, become facebook and twitter pals. We are all in this together and I know we can make a difference!

THYROID BLOGS

http://thyroid.blogspot.com/
http://hypoman-lifetherapy.blogspot.com/
http://sjccfthynet.blogspot.com/
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/blog/
http://thyroid-hope.blogspot.com/
http://thyroidplague.blogspot.com/
http://hypothyroidathleteskitchen.blogspot.com/

THYROID WEBSITES

http://outsmartdisease.com/
http://dearthyroid.org/
http://www.sjccfthynet.org/
http://thyroid.about.com/
http://gdcoffeebreak.weebly.com/
http://eyesee.typepad.com/
www.crazythyroidlady.com (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

If I missed a website or blog let me know.

Thanks

BE STRONG

Crazy Thyroid Lady

Blood Work - Mission Impossible

Have you ever noticed when getting blood drawn at a lab or a doctor’s office, the entire process is like a Tom Cruise/Mission Impossible-type event? What is the reason for the serious stealth?

Here is how it goes…

Already knowing what lies ahead, timidly you arrive. They usher you into a room, where you must rest into a deceitful seat reminiscent of an amusement park ride. Next, the bloodletting bandit, with an interrogative tone, confirms your date of birth and name, which you must spell out for them.

Then, they are all like, “Put your eyes in this retinal scanner”… Just kidding--I always wanted to use a retinal scanner; they really should use a retinal scanner…WHY AREN’T THEY USING RETINAL SCANNERS!!

Anyway, the “technician” sticks the long, sharp blade in your arm expelling those pumping platelets keeping you alive.

Afterwards, they place your precious life force in those cheap fifty cent vials. The number of vials needed depends on the amount of codes marked by the doctor on that top secret, cryptic, lab request form.

Meanwhile, CIA operatives in Langley, Virginia are the recipients of your blood and the clandestine lab order with those codes. These codes can only be deciphered after many years of operative training. They must know ICD-9 codes, diagnosis codes, CPT codes, Morse code and all the Xbox 360 cheat codes. At least this is what I believe, because when I view my own lab order, I haven’t a clue-- am I being tested for my thyroid disorder or to somehow help me with Call of Duty?

The key part of this whole covert operation is when it’s over; you are then given a band-aid, which contains a fluid that seeps subcutaneously causing the reluctant donor to become passive. This passive state is needed for a very important purpose. Why? Because the reason you went to get blood drawn in the first place was because, you were experiencing the following:

Chronic fatigue, migraines, moodiness, anxiety, depression, excessive weight gain, hair loss, blurred vision, joint pain and brain fog…UGH!! This is no way to live!

But, when you call for your results a nurse comes on and says, “Oh yes, let me get your chart,” she comes back on the phone and states quickly, without hesitation …”Everything is normal.” At that moment the passive poison kicks in and you say simply, “OK”…Click, you both hang up.

It is your chronic suffering that brought you to the doctor in the first place. They take your blood, from your arm, it is your results, so for the life of me, I can’t understand the secrecy. Unknown answers filed away in your elusive “chart.” And what about that nurse who gave you your normal blood results, then dismisses you like an insubordinate employee. “Ummm, what about my current symptoms, did you think I was making it up.” It does not seem to matter to them though…as long as “Mission Is Accomplished!”

MORE THYROETRY- HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

It is almost the New Year

Thanks so much for having me here

On your computer each week with my blog

About the thyroid…a snippet, a prologue

To the book I am writing for 2012

Coming soon to your E-book shelf

I hope you will like what you read

From the Wild and Crazy Thyroid Lady

Here is a sneak peek at my book intro - Part 1...Look for Part 2 next week

Intro

It is estimated that 50 million Americans suffer from an autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, Crohn’s, lupus, etc., (aarda.org, 2011). Fifty million is roughly equivalent to the combined populations of California and Texas! Nearly 12 million Americans have a thyroid disease, Hashimoto, Graves, hypercalcemia, cancer, etc., (Harvard, 2011). I have both a thyroid and autoimmune disease. This is my journey from sanity to psychosis and now at comfortably crazy.

We moved into an upper-middle class neighborhood, filled with stay-at-home moms, green lawns, mischievous children and white-collar dads in their loosened ties. I was never really the kind of person to put on airs, but in this neighborhood, I tried to be a little more reserved. Upgrading from an apartment, to a tiny starter home, to our new place became essential. We had to keep moving into bigger dwellings because my son’s toys were taking over, his stuffed animals alone could populate the jungles of Africa. As we continued to expand, our living space wasn’t the only thing getting bigger: my physical and mental problems were as well.

As with most who suffer from thyroid autoimmune diseases, it can take an average of ten years with various ailments before finally achieving the correct diagnosis. This is because these kinds of diseases bring about many mental and physical conditions, finding it difficult to diagnose. It was during this time of figuring out what was wrong with me that I evolved into a Looney Tunes character, but kept everything behind closed doors of course. My neighbors had no idea. It was like “sucking in my gut” so to speak to the outside world, then letting it all hang out to my husband and son, Lucky them!

So there I was in my big-girl house with my big-girl mortgage trying to appear like I just another suburbanite. I spent time flowering, manicuring, hedging, trimming and watering; yard work is truly a full-time job, especially if perfection is the goal. Other pretentious residential activities included, tossing the ball with the neighborhood kiddos (including the brats) at the appropriate time of day: one half-hour before dinner or an hour after dinner. Waving, smiling those pearly whites to folks I most certainly could not pick out of a criminal line-up if my life depended on it.

“Oh, that’s one of my neighbors…really, are you sure officer?”


***

It was a gorgeous day in the neighborhood, opulent sunshine with the perfect amount of wind. I had all the windows open so I could feel the warm breeze coming into my house, an absolute idyllic Spring Cleaning day. I had achieved perfection on the outside of my home, it was time to clean the inside. The front door lay open to let the warm rays in, though the screen door remained closed to keep the bugs out. While diligently dusting the furniture, I heard his little voice say:


....TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

DON'T FORGET JANUARY IS THYROID DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH, PLEASE FILL OUT THE SURVEY, CLICK ON ONE OF THE THE LINKS IN THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF THIS PAGE!

HAPPY NEW YEAR LOVE YA

FROM THE CRAZY THYROID LADY!

DISEASES OFFER A SPEC-TACULAR VIEW!

This week’s blog is dedicated to my Father who passed away just five short months ago of cancer. I love and miss you Daddy!

My Father, a former military man, had a wife and two daughters. He did not want any of his girls to be sick, hurt or in pain-EVER! Scrapped knees, infections and menstrual maladies all had to be suffered in silence. Not because Dad was mean, he believed announcing an illness was a sign of weakness...well, at least that is what he told us.

In my late thirties, when I was diagnosed with an autoimmune thyroid disease, my Father would scoff at me for complaining about things like fatigue, or joint pain. This was after he would call me to ask, “Hey, how are you doing?”…..but not wanting to hear (or deal with) the truth, he would then say: “You feel GREAT, stop saying you are tired.”

It wasn’t like I was a complainer; he just NEVER wanted to hear me say I was anything other than fantastic.

Last year, when my Dad was sickened with cancer, around Christmas time he said to me, “I realize now what it means to have a chronic illness, baby girl, and I apologize for ever down-playing what you have been going through over the past few years.”

This meant the world to me because it was never attention I was seeking, it was just understanding.

He went onto say, “But you know, we are blessed to have the opportunity to view the world with a different “set of glasses” than the pair we had on before.”
Some would say, “Blessed” doesn’t seem like the word most fitting, but oh… I knew exactly what he meant.

The best way I can describe it…it is like being fitted with a special pair of glasses, not the 3-D variety, where everything is distorted, not bifocals where everything is bigger, not UV where things are blocked out, and definitely not rose-colored. They are just real, authentic glasses, which help you see what is important.

With the new pair, we identify with what “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff “truly means-it’s not just a catchy book title to us. We feel this mantra deeply within our soul, because, truth is, we can’t sweat it. We don’t have the strength, the energy, or disposition, and on occasion the memory – (Now…what were we fighting about again?)

This truly is a blessing!

My dad’s new pair of glasses meant he could accept both of our diseases because it was reality… Good, bad or ugly.... It is life. Acceptance, understanding, and loving what life has to offer is much easier than distorting, blocking and making things bigger than what they are.

Battling an illness is not easy, however experiencing life with real glasses is… Eyeglasses that help us see what’s most important, during this holiday season and throughout the year and that is-Faith, Friends and Family…the rest is...well, small stuff.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

From The Crazy Thyroid Lady!

DON’T FORGET TO BE COUNTED FILL OUT THE SURVEY…CLICK ON SURVEY MONKEY OR FACEBOOK IN THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER!

THYROID SURVEY given by The Crazy Thyroid Lady ™

Hi guys,

Well, I am sure you will be shocked and amazed to hear my government did not respond to the recent letter I sent (see my blog November 27, 2011 My Letter to the Government). Don’t they understand thyroid sufferers are impatient and have no time for bureaucracy?

Hmmmpt! Well, I’ve decided to conduct my own THYROID SURVEY!

Take that government, medical and scientific community, welcome to the 21st-century in the age of social networking! Bureaucracy shureacracy!

If you want to find us, we are here!

The Crazy Thyroid Lady appreciates any and all comments received with regard to my blog, I love you all! But I think some missed my point. There very well may be a link between thyroid disease and gout. There may also be a connection between thyroid disease and anxiety, thyroid disease and fatigue, thyroid disease and brain fog, also thyroid disease and Kevin Bacon.

Having said this, I still do not believe a trustworthy survey should lump “thyroid disease and gout” in the same question on a questionnaire survey, especially If the attempt is to find out how many of us sufferers are in the world.

It is OK however, to offer this question:

"Do you have thyroid disease or have ever met or seen Kevin Bacon?"

Tee hee...Kidding aside…Would you please click on either links in the upper right corner. If you have a facebook account, you can go on the facebook link or click on the survey monkey link....Remember this is an anonymous survey!!


THE SURVEY WILL BE CLOSED SOON SO HURRY AND BE COUNTED!

Please pass this survey along to other thyroid sufferers as well.

Thanks

Crazy Thyroid Lady

Don't forget to get your copy of my thyroid book Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy

THYROID DISEASE FEELS LIKE...

When asked, “Hey Crazy Thyroid Lady, what does it feel like to have a thyroid disease?” I usually just give a short answer, ya know, a taste of what it’s like, without going into too much detail…

I am appreciative when they ask, although it annoys me when they respond with: “Oh, I do that too” OR “That sounds like me!”

I know, I know it takes everything within your power not to slap the crap out of these folks. However, DON’T DO IT!! It seems like they are belittling your pain, but just blow them off! It is their feeble attempt to show compassion by making light of the situation…besides, it would be awkward if they were to say the alternative: “God that’s awful, your life pretty much sucks!”

Now, if they REALLY do think they “feel your pain” Tell them this -

Thyroid disease feels like…After you get up, take a shower, get dressed, do your hair, fix breakfast…you would then give all the money you have in the world for the chance to go back to bed, because those five tasks took every bit of energy you had.

Others will say – That’s how I feel too…the difference is, we feel this way most, if not all of the time AND chances are, if we did go back to bed we would be back to sleep in a matter of minutes.





Thyroid disease feels like … You walk into the grocery store and can’t remember why you came.

Others will say – That is how I feel too…the difference is, we may not remember the events leading up to how we even made it to the grocery store.



Thyroid disease feels like …You can sit through a company meeting and not comprehend one thing that is going on.

Others will say – That’s how I feel too…the difference is…We tried to pay attention.



Thyroid disease feels like …You drop something on the ground in public and would rather leave it because your body has been aching all day and you REALLY don’t want to bend down and pick it up.

Others will say – That’s how I feel too…the difference is…You are moving too slow to get down and pick up the item off the floor so an 80-year-lady runs over to get it for you instead.



Crazy Thyroid Lady

Don't forget to get your copy of my thyroid book Wow Your Mom Really is Crazy

Dawn of a Different Dead





Resident Evil, 28 Days later, The Crazies…these were considered “fiction” movies. But, I know the real story. You see, my friends… zombies are real and they are all around us. They drive, shop, work and operate heavy machinery. They are your everyday average thyroid sufferers.


Real- life zombies 101 – Unlike most zombie movies there are two different types of these horrific creatures – Treated and Untreated.


Medically Treated – These zombies appear when they forget to take their medicine, have extremely high stress levels or heck… with thyroid disease you seriously don’t know when this creature will emerge. Doctors don’t know either. For me, I have honed in on my inner zombie, I call her Zenith and she comes out when it is that time of the month, the aftermath of stress, a drastic diet change or an infection. You can talk to Zenith but she may travel far off into some other time zone, without even moving a muscle. Zenith drives to work but she can’t remember how she got there. Zenith is thinking, “Good morning,” but she may not verbalize it, she may grunt at you instead. Coffee, Red Bull or 5-Hour Energy do not work for Zenith. Zenith just wants to eat flesh (dinner) and go to bed.


Medically Un-treated (Doctors can’t figure out what the heck is wrong with you, despite your pleas for help) – These zombies are scary and resemble what is depicted in the movies. I would stay away from these zombies -between MD’s telling them they are crazy and the daily horrors of thyroid disease they are liable to bite your head off. When I went approximately ten years untreated my inner zombie was the nastiest creature east of the Mississippi. She would snarl, bark and bite. She had bruises all over her body because she ran into walls a lot from clumsiness and poor eyesight. You could find her wandering around in the Wal-Mart parking lot for long periods of time trying to figure out what kind of car she drove there.

Unfortunately, both types walk among us. Zombies are..er...um people too, so give them love and don’t take it personally when they may look through you instead of at you.

ZENITH’S TOP 5 ZOMBIE –LIKE MOMENTS (Treated or untreated)

5. Walking around the grocery store for about an hour not realizing why I came there in the first place.

4. Going with my husband (of nearly 20 years) to a family get together and not remembering half of the names of the people there. I was in my 30’s at the time. (My MD thought it was a good idea to take me off my thyroid medication for six weeks.)

3. Going through an entire week and not being able to recollect what I did during the week. Where I drove, who I talked to, what I did at work, what I cooked for dinner, conversations…etc., This is a serious situation and was pre-diagnosis (THANK GOD!)

2. Sitting at my desk at work for 8 hours…yes that’s right 8 hours doing pretty much nothing but stare at the cubicle, then the computer, then back to the cubicle.


AND THE NUMBER ONE ZOMBIE LIKE MOMENT…DRUM ROLL PLEASE…

1. I signed my son’s permission slip that it was OK for him to keep the classroom “pet rat” after his class was done with their little experiment. So yes, he brought a RAT home because his mommy said it was OK.




What eludes me is how so many MD’s do not understand how a thyroid disorder can wreak this much havoc. The thyroid is bosom buddies with the pituitary gland (in the brain). They are close co-workers. Sooooo doesn’t it make sense one would have mental issues associated with thyroid disease???


Please leave a comment and tell me your number ONE zombie moment…hopefully docs will read this!


Next week’s blog – Hypochondria….hahahahaha, if you are a thyroid disease sufferer, reading that word just ticked you off…hahahahaha…calm down

Short Term, Long Term...It's Gone

Before the onset of my thyroid disease, simialr to Superman’s strength and Spiderman’s senses, I too had a Superpower... a Super Duper Keen Eidetic (photographic MEMORY)!

Here is an illustration of my power:

(Disclaimer: I would only use my power to fight the forces of Evil)

Time Period: Grade school
Event: Story Time with my class, and my 2nd grade teacher
Where: In the classroom, in our usual semi-circle

Our teacher would read to us for 15 minutes every Friday before the end of the day, her name was Ms. ???? (There’s not a chance in hell I could recall this lady’s name, for I have accepted the Kryptonite that has damaged my superpower). Teach was sweet, demure and soft spoken, that is until you pissed her off! Her ire was quite obvious; well…at least to me… her hair told the whole story... She had stick-straight hair, but when she got angry, it would start to puff up like a Brillo Pad!

On that particular day during our reading circle, I noticed teach’s hair began to pop out from its prone position. She was frantically, trying to locate the page number where she left off…all the while her little kiddo’s were tuning up. Doing what kids do best when it is too quiet for too long – chatter. As we were getting louder, her hair grew bigger. In a matter of moments this chick’s hair went from Audrey Hepburn to Albert Einstein. I knew if her hair reached Einstien status we would get an earful.

Trying to save the day, I immediately I spoke up and said “Ms. ____ we are on page 39.”

“Thanks Carol,” she said.

Whew, everything grew calm, even her hair. Another major catastrophe averted!

FFFFFFAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSTTTTTTTTTTTFOOOOOOOORRRRWWWWWARDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD – Pre-Thyroid disease diagnosis - at my sickest!

My husband and I are watching a “Whodunit” mystery. He could always rely on me to know before the second commercial who was the murderer, AND how it was going to be solved. As we were watching together the commercial came on and he turned to me to ask,

“So what do ya think, who’s the killer?”

At that moment, I realized I had no idea who was the killer…and I had no idea what we were watching! Seriously…If you placed a gun to my head, I would not have been able to tell you what television program I had on at that moment...

Now, I bring this story up to illustrate that most of us thyroid sufferers know we have memory issues associated with our thyroid disease...

Why don’t MD’s have this memo?!?

A few weeks ago I had one of my annual trips to the ER, so I brought a notepad with all my stymptoms jotted down, and told him I had memory issues because of a thyroid disease and this is why I needed to use the notepad... He had the nerve to say “Memory problems… this is not a symptom of thyroid disease.”

You know, when you are in one of those situations where you wish you had said something but you didn’t? This was one of those moments for me! – I sooooo wished I would have said:

“Oh, OK, can I cancel this visit? Please do not bill my insurance company or me.! I came here seeking help from someone who knows what they are doing, and obviously you don’t!”

Thyroid disease sufferers, I ask you:

WHY SHOULD WE CONTINUE TO PUT UP WITH POOR MEDICAL SERVICE...
WE AREN’T EXPECTED TO IN ANY OTHER PROFESSION??!!!

Next week’s blog is about: ZOMBIES!