Happy birthday Grandpa!

Grandpa,

Today I'm sending birthday wishes to you in heaven.  I wish you were still here.  I love and miss you so much!

Xoxo,
Janie

(Picture is from 2011)

Not Quite What I Was Expecting

Got the results back for the thyroid test I took earlier this week.   Looks like I have an overactive thyroid aka hyperthyroidism. 

I got online and tried to do some research.  I recognize many symptoms but one that is losted makes me laugh. Weight loss...uh no my problem is weight gain. A person with hypothyroidism usually has weight gain.  My bodies just all screwed up. 

Below I copied some info to share,  just in case you have questions like I did. I do below is from the following site. EndocrineWeb 

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive and makes excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is an organ located in the front of your neck and releases hormones that control your metabolism (the way your body uses energy), breathing, heart rate, nervous system, weight, body temperature, and many other functions in the body. When the thyroid gland is overactive (hyperthyroidism) the body’s processes speed up and you may experience nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremor, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

Causes of Hyperthyroidism
The thyroid gland makes the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) that play an important role in the way your whole body functions. If your thyroid gland makes too much T4 and T3, this is defined as hyperthyroidism.

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is the autoimmune disorder Graves’ disease. In this disorder, the body makes an antibody (a protein produced by the body to protect against a virus or bacteria) called thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) that causes the thyroid gland to make too much thyroid hormone. Graves’ disease runs in families and is more commonly found in women.

Hyperthyroidism also may be caused by a toxic nodular or multinodular goiter, which are lumps or nodules in the thyroid gland that cause the thyroid to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormones. In addition, inflammation of the thyroid gland—called thyroiditis—resulting from a virus or a problem with the immune system may temporarily cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Furthermore, some people who consume too much iodine (either from foods or supplements) or who take medications containing iodine (such as amiodarone) may cause the thyroid gland to overproduce thyroid hormones.

My Dr has prescribed me
LEVOTHYROXINE (lee voe thye ROX een) is a thyroid hormone. This medicine can improve symptoms of thyroid deficiency such as slow speech, lack of energy, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, and feeling cold. It also helps to treat goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland). It is also used to treat some kinds of thyroid cancer along with surgery and other medicines.

Less common (side effects)
*Chest pain or discomfort
*decreased urine output
*difficult or labored breathing
*difficulty with swallowing
*dilated neck veins
*extreme fatigue
*fainting
*fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
*fever
*heat intolerance
*hives or welts
*increased blood pressure
*increased pulse
*irregular breathing
*irritability
*menstrual changes
*nausea
*pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
*shortness of breath
*skin itching, rash, or redness
*sweating
*swelling of the eyes, face, lips, throat, or tongue
*tightness in the chest
*tremors
*troubled breathing

Rare (side effects)
*Blurred or double vision
*dizziness
*eye pain
*lack or slowing of normal *growth in children
*limp or walk favoring one leg
*pain in the hip or knee
*seizures
*severe headache

I'm a little nervous about the side effects.  I already deal with some of those due to the other medications I take. But hey what can I do? 

I need to get my butt to bed so I can get up early with Hailey for the volleyball tournament.

Night! Night!

Win!

Well it's been a little over a week since my last post.  It's been a crazy couple days.  I saw Dr. R last week and Kristen this week.  Looks like my future includes a referral for a neurologist,  a referral and evaluation for physical therapy, and increase my zoloft. 

I also got notice of my Disability Hearing,  so I'm working on collecting letters from both Dr. R and Kristen stating they aren't clearing me for work yet.  I can request a copy of my medical records and they will be available 30 minutes before my hearing.  I want to know what reports they have that convinced them to deny my disability.  This appeal process is so tough at times.

Dr R has voted against me getting a bariatric surgery due to all that my body's been through up to this point.  I went to the lab on Tuesday to get a thyroid test done.  Probably have results Monday.  I wish I could afford to go to a weight-loss camp of sorts. 

On a different note,  Sierra played Lathrop tonight.  JV won in 3 but unfortunately,  Freshman and Varsity did not.  I don't remember all 3 teams standings but I do know JV is 1-2 for Conference Games.  Hailey did really well with her serving tonight.  I don't have the stats with me but I know for sure she had 5 serves in a row with 4 being Aces in one set. 

This weekend we have the Stockton Classic Tournament.  Looking forward to spending some time with Hailey and supporting her team!  Go T-Wolves!!! 

Check back in soon!
Xoxoxo

6 month follow-up

This is my first 6 month follow-up.  I was stuck at 3 months for what seemed like forever.  And of course we can't forget starting out with 2-3 days a week and then down to once a week,  then every two weeks,  followed up by the monthly and then 3 months.  So 6 months is a milestone for me and I've got so many emotions going through me.

Just like any other of my numerous follow-up appointments. I tend to get constipated prior to the appointment.  I stress myself out. I feel nauseous, nervous, excited and anxious. Being a 2 time Cancer survivor is huge to me.   I'm so proud of myself and all my support to get me better.  But I won't lie,  I know that there is the possibility of getting Cancer again.  The amount of chemo I've had puts me at a higher risk. Anyway,  this is how I feel before all follow-up appointments.

The appointments are a breeze to get through.  I first must go to the lab and let them take a few viles of blood.  I remember times that they would have 7-8 viles out but now it's usually 3-4. I still can't watch her put the needle in.  Lol I'm a big baby.

By the time I go upstairs and check in,  my wait is usually 30-45 minutes at the most. Gotta get weighed and blood pressure,  oxygen and my tempature taken.  Then I wait for one of my favorite people.... Dr Richman.  She and her team at UC Davis saved my life.  I'm friends on Facebook with a few of the nurses I had.  Nurses are amazing people and I just can't thank them enough for all that they do.

Anyway,  back to my appointment.  It never fails I get all worked up a few days before! Am I going to be clean still?  Is something going to show up in my blood work?

And then I have to pull out all my questions I've been saving up for this appointment.   What will she think about me getting a bariatric surgery?  Can my body hold up to it?  The pain in my hands and legs, especially at night.  It also interferes with writing,  holding a book to read,  driving,  cooking,  crafts.  I have to continually stop what I'm doing to give my hands a rest.  My forgetfulness and lack of concentration.  I can't sleep through the night.  If I don't take an ambien before going to bed I will literally toss and turn every 1 to 2 hours.  My leg or one of my hands fell asleep so I have to wake up to adjust it so it's not numb anymore. 

I got the cataracts surgeries done in June and July.  Now I'm just waiting for an approval from Medicare to cover 80% of the cost of my frames and prescription.  They said it could take up to 3 weeks.  So I still can't see, walking around with a pair of reading glasses or I wouldn't even be able to see my phone. Lol

So I just flipped through my writing and feel like I got out what I needed to say.  Thus blog is meant to be a release for me and it really seems to be working out.  Just not sure if I want to make it private. Gotta find out if I can still invite friends when my status /posts are private?

Night,  night!

38th Birthday

Happy birthday to me!  Today I turned 38.  I want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes.  Today was a pretty good day.  Ran errands with Josh and then went to Dennys for breakfast. After breakfast, we headed home so he could study and I could work on the Team Scot website.  Once Taylor got home from school we headed up to Stockton to watch Hailey play volleyball.  After volleyball we went to 'The Habbit' for dinner and stopped by Krispy Kremes for dessert. I've definitely ate too much crap today but what the hell, it's my birthday lol!

The only bad thing about today is that my stupid check engine light came on again.  I just spent $325 on the 1st to fix a coil.  I'm really hoping this time it's a cheap fix.

Oh yeah,  I have to show off the hoodie Tay got me.  GO Stan State!! 

Long Time (Sept 2015)

Its been over 2 years since my last post and life's just been hitting me pretty hard lately.  Actually,  it's been for a while now but I think I need an outlet. Hopefully blogging will be that outlet. 

But first let's start with a little catch up.  Let's see, I'll start with the kids. Taylor just finished her 2nd week of college.  She's down at CSU Stanislaus or Stan State, whatever you prefer.  She's taken on full time status.  Monday,  Wednesday, Friday she's in Turlock and home the other days.  She's living at home and working at McDonald's while going to school.  Her and Noelle are still together.  I believe they just celebrated their 2nd anniversary.

Hailey is now a freshman at Sierra High.  Home of the Timberwolves.  As a freshman,  she made her JV Volleyball team. She's making a lot of friends that play at local volleyball clubs so I thinking we will be staying in our general area.  After 3 years of driving to Galt and then to Rancho Cordova,  I really think it's time to try and have a social life and get to know more of our community.  Hailey is also involved with Freshman Leadership... She is Freshman VP for 2nd term!  This term she's playing volleyball,  taking algebra, Spanish, life management and piano.

Both girls are doing very good.  I'm looking forward to Concerts and games.  Taylor will have a schedule out soon.  Attached is Hailey's.

I remember much happier times for Josh and I.  The last couple years have been tough.  I'll get into this in a different post. 

Catching up with Josh... He's still working at Red Robin while working on getting his teaching degree online at home.  I believe the end of September is 2 years in. He should be teaching English about the time Hailey graduates.

Me on the other hand has not worked since November 2010. I volunteer at Sunset VBC when Hailey started having an interest in volleyball. I'm thinking the summer of 2012. It took almost 2 years to get myself up and moving around.  In the last 3 years I've tried to get myself out there more often but I had many days of rest because being up and about on one day would put me down for three. It's been really hard because of the Neuropathy in my hands and the cataracts in my eyes.  Two surgeries,  still can't see right.

So that's my catch up for now.  I will be back, I've enjoyed being able to let the words flow.

Xoxo 🐾🐺