Thyroid Cancer

Getting a cancer diagnosis is many things — heartbreak, anger, pockets of simplicity, grief, even gratitude. But there are parts of it that straight up suck.

What’s been the #1 challenge for you or a loved one?

#Cancer #BoneCancers #BreastCancer #OvarianCancer #LungCancer #ThyroidCancer #lymphoma #ChildhoodCancers #MentalHealth #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Caregiving #Grief

Being diagnosed with cancer can certainly be scary, confusing, and frustrating — just to name a few of the whirlwind of emotions that may come up.

If you could give any advice or words of wisdom to someone newly diagnosed with cancer, what would you share?

🎧 🎙️ If you're up to it and would like to listen, feel free to check out this Mighty Podcast episode on what it's like living with a rare cancer:
themighty.com/topic/cancer/living-with-a-rare-cancer

#Cancer #BoneCancers #BreastCancer #OvarianCancer #LungCancer #ThyroidCancer #lymphoma #ChildhoodCancers #MentalHealth #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #Caregiving #Grief

Something I’ve been thinking about recently is the fact that I often say I’m an open book to people.

It’s mostly true, but I realized if you read the whole book, I’ve torn out a few chapters that I do keep quite private.

It feels odd because as any of you who read my posts here on The Mighty may see, I can get quite personal. I share a lot about myself, my chronic illness, my mental health, and my experience with cancer, but there are still parts of my story I keep tucked away.

I wonder if anyone else feels the same way - are you an open book? And if you say so, is it really true? Let me know your thoughts on this.

#MentalHealth #ChronicIllness #Disability #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar2Disorder #BipolarDepression #ThyroidCancer #Cancer #HypothyroidismUnderactiveThyroidDisease #Depression #Anxiety

I’ve talked to a few people on this topic and I see a lot of split responses on the topic.

Some people start their career in a certain industry or field and have aims to how they work to the role in that field.

Others will start their career somewhere they’re interested in and adapt their plan along the way as they find what does or doesn’t work for them.

I’m definitely in the latter camp for a handful of reasons - one of them is directly related to my health.

I went to college for a degree in cinema production and photography, with an idea I’d be spending all of my time on sets.

Flash forward to a diagnosis of #ThyroidCancer which led to thyroid removal and the joy that is #ChronicIllness associated with a complete thyroidectomy. I knew immediately fatigue would not allow me to spend 8+ hours a day standing around on a set. So I shifted my goal. There’s a certain grief that comes with that, but there’s also a strength in knowing things can be unpredictable and adapting to that change.

I’m curious to know, do you have something specific you are looking for in your career or are you following the winding path as it unfolds?

#HypothyroidismUnderactiveThyroidDisease #Fatigue #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #Disability #MentalHealth #ADHD

Working out, exercising, movement - it’s something we know is good for our mental and physical health, but it’s often not as simple as throwing on a pair of sneakers and going for a run.

There are a variety of factors that can play into the conversation around exercise, making it difficult to have a healthy relationship with it:

-Weight stigma

-Eating disorder history (past or present)

-Body dysmorphia

-Physical blockers (such as those due to illness or disability)

-Mental blockers (such as lack of motivation or your body feeling like lead due to depression)

-And many other specific inhibitors unique to each individual

I consider myself to have a healthy relationship with exercise now, but that wasn’t always the case. I remember after my cancer recovery I couldn’t get my heart rate above 120bpm without triggering a panic attack. It took me a lot of patience to figure out how to rewire my brain to reduce that panic, and eventually get to the point I am now, where it’s a key part of my mental health and physical health management.

What is the hardest part about working out for your health?

#MentalHealth #ChronicIllness #Disability #RareDisease #Cancer #Anxiety #Depression #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1Disorder #Bipolar2Disorder #BipolarDepression #EatingDisorders #HypothyroidismUnderactiveThyroidDisease #ThyroidCancer #Exercise #BodyDysmorphicDisorder #52SmallThings

I have to be honest with you all, as a cancer survivor I don’t love the term cancer-free.

While I go into it more in my video (which you can watch here: youtu.be/PHS-Qwqsfh4 ), one of the main reasons I’m not a fan is because cancer-free implies an ending for something that, for most people who get a cancer diagnosis, isn’t an ending at all, but instead the next chapter in managing a new normal.

Because of this perceived ending, for the patient it feels like the support ends in a lot of ways too.

So in honor of National Cancer Survivors Day, whether you’ve had cancer, know someone, or just want to be a light in someone’s day, share a quick message of support below for cancer survivors!

#Cancer #ThyroidCancer #HypothyroidismUnderactiveThyroidDisease #ChronicIllness #ChronicFatigue #CheckInWithMe

Here I am, sitting at my desk realizing that I am both too hot as well as too cold.

Out of instinct, I touch the scar on my neck, and much like The Simpson’s reference of “Old Man Yells At Cloud,” I shake my fist at my lack of thyroid causing this symptom.

Immediately, I started laughing at that imagery and it diffused the frustration I was feeling with that symptom. So now, I’d love for you to try it and find a way that can give you (or someone else) a small chuckle at a minimum (though full belly laughs are encouraged!). Fill in this prompt yourself:

You Know You Have [YOUR CONDITION] When…

Here’s how I answered: You know you have chronic illness when you’re both too hot and too cold at the exact same moment.

#ChronicIllness #MentalHealth #ThyroidCancer #Cancer #HypothyroidismUnderactiveThyroidDisease #funny #Humor #DistractMe #CheckInWithMe