Thyroid Cancer

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Thyroid Cancer
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    I’m new here!

    Hi, my name is MummyTut82. I've been diagnosed with so many illnesses diseases that at age 40 and Mum of 3 darling children, I have lost all quality of life and I'm scared of myself honestly.. For I can't keep just 'existing' like this and I know it is destroying my children's hearts watching me so sick ... it breaks me more every minute coz I honestly believe they shouldn't have to see Mummy this way anymore it isn't fair on them... #icantdothis😮‍💨 #heartbroken💔 #idontwanttoleavemybabies😪 #itisjustfartoomuchtohandle💔

    #MightyTogether #PTSD #Fibromyalgia #Anxiety #Depression #ADHD #OCD #Grief #Leukemia #FunctionalMovementDisorder #DiabetesType2 #Cancer #RheumatoidArthritis #OpticNeuritis #NeurocardiogenicSyncope #DemyelinatingNeuropathies #CeliacDisease #InappropriateSinusTachycardia #congenitalheartdefect/Disease #BirthDefect #IronDeficiencyAnemia #Arthritis #ArteriovenousMalformation #SuicidalThoughts #chronicactiveepstein-BarrVirus #ChronicIllness #polycysticovarysyndrome(PCOS) #Hyperparathyroidism #ThyroidCancer #Cardiomyopathy #CardiovascularDisease #CongenitalVascularCavernousMalformations

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    Trials and tribulations of life

    I am 66 years young and have never really liked discussing the many health issues I have been dealing with over the past 40 plus years. A lot of that has to do with those in my family at times seem to not be able to relate to what is going on with me. I have been through 16 surgeries and have two bad knees that need replacement. I worked as a heavy equipment mechanic, tire store manager and Instructor at an Automotive and diesel college. These jobs have taken a heavy toll on my body along with two bad falls that started my back issues. I had two thyroid cancer surgeries in my early twenties and have no thyroid gland. I have had 5 lower back surgeries and still having problems even after multiple nerve ablations in lower back and neck. Most recently I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and had the prostate removed in late November 2022. This put off having my left knee replaced for the second time and I will also need the right one replaced as well at some point in the future. Due to these problems and the fibromyalgia I find myself in constant pain everyday for many years. My pleas for relief are pretty much ignored by Doctors that do not understand or believe that I am having all these problems and won’t provide me with medication that can help me deal with the pain and sleep problems that come with chronic pain issues. Quality of life is also ignored due to the war on opioids that have helped a lot in the past, but now I think they believe I’m just looking for drugs to get high on. I refuse to use alcohol to help because it just leads to using more and more to find relief. I have not used any for 13 years and don’t want to go down that path again. To say that I am becoming overwhelmed by all of this would be a gross understatement. So I have come here to maybe connect with others with similar problems in the hope that It will help me or you in some way. There are other problems not mentioned because it would be a longer story than already stated. I have come to the conclusion that this is what it is and will live out my days in pain and fighting with my PCP Doctor over my thyroid medication. I feel better on higher dose but they insist that my numbers are normal. I have been on Disability since 2009. I know there are many of you that know what it’s like living on a fixed income and needing a lot of medical care. I like to exercise but find it to be very difficult when your body is hurting everywhere. And hurts so much more when you do. In spite of all of these issues I have never contemplated causing injury or worse to myself. I have much to live for with my children and grandchildren and hopefully someday great grandchildren. The bright parts of my life is I don’t have to deal with depression. I have a lot of faith in God and would appreciate prayers if you are so inclined. Thank you for bearing with me as I have rambled on about all of this. But it has made my life a little brighter just being able to talk about this. Any ideas or thoughts you may have to suggest that may have helped you deal with similar problems would be appreciated. Thanks for listening and have a great day.

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    What do you find to be the most challenging about a cancer diagnosis?

    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

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    What advice would you give someone recently diagnosed with cancer?

    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

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    Do you say you’re an open book?

    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

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    Do you have something specific you want out of a career?

    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

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    More stress than I thought possible.

    So I’m in the middle of a flare which I’m assuming it’s my RA (have Fibro too). Got no sleep the night before and last night as in NONE-ZERO. My phone rings before
    7 am which I knew it couldn’t be good.
    I got a call from a hospital saying my mother was there and that she has a mass in her stomach as well as lesions on her liver which could be cancer. Currently we have been taking care of my father in law who had thyroid cancer and they feel he may have prostrate cancer. He hasn’t been able to walk at all so every time he has to get up or go to the bathroom they call my husband we live downstairs. My husband has been doing everything which has left no time for me, himself or his daughter. He is so ups set and stressed out about all this.
    Lastly I have my daughter who had blood work done and the dr’s were trying to figure out what was going out with her.
    She has been avoiding the topic with us and does not want to tell us what the dr’s said.
    So regardless she tells us I’m worrying what’s wrong. She was in graduate school and wants to take off another semester.

    So my favorite is that stress is bad for RA-and Fibro and your told to avoid it!!!

    I am now in a stress tornado!!!

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    What's the hardest part about working out for your health?

    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

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    Share a quick message of support for cancer survivors today!

    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

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