Thyroid Brave

Hello, dolls! Today is a new day and I'm sending you love, happiness and inspiration. Be Thyroid Brave! Love yourself, love your thyroid health and make any necessary changes to be the healthiest you possible!

Today, I am Thyroid Brave! 

Be well,

Shemeka

Thyroid Awareness Month

Hi, friends!

January is Thyroid Awareness Month. Be sure to promote awareness by sharing dialogue, learning something new about thyroid health and giving kudos to the thyroid health advocates that have helped you through your thyroid struggles.

Keep smiling,

Shemeka 

Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association

Some of our thyroid health friends have lost their thyroids due to cancer, so let's take a moment to share dialogue about Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. The Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., www.thyca.org, has free materials available to you year-round, so I thought I would note a few.

Free education, support, and awareness flyers can be accessed at www.thyca.org. There are several resources that you can use for educational purposes, and to raise awareness. You can also e-mail thyca@thyca.org with your address and asking them to mail you brochures, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) Neck Check cards, and plastic wallet cards.

Thank you, ThyCa!

Ten Tips on How To Help http://www.thyca.org/how-to-help/awareness/awareness-tips/#sthash.LvaXsbKI.dpuf

Dear Thyroid

I have days when I get hit with panic, anxiety, and fatigue (waking up at 5AM only to fall asleep again for a "nap" by 830/9AM), resting as the time goes by. It's days like this where I now know that it's my disease - hypothyroidism - that's causing me a minor setback in my day to day living. There were days when I would forget that I'm sick because I'd look great, but felt crummy.

 I've come to a point of acceptance and acknowledgment, and it's been a journey, one that I'm blogging about and sharing with others, particularly several advocates within the thyroid community. The community I refer to consists of people who I have reached out to, such as thyroid health bloggers, advocates and those who have connected with me as well to share their stories, dialogue and allow me to thyrant (thanks friends at Dear Thyroid).

The friends at Dear Thyroid provide an amazing outlet for thyrants, support and people resources, they are known mostly for their Dear Thyroid Letters.  I've had my public thyrants, but my letter is one I'm working on, cause I struggle with my hypothyroidism. Do you? Have you written your letter? If not, what are you waiting on? Make new friends at the Dear Thyroid Organization. Write on!

Seeing Signs

ABC News published an article by Anne Krueger, Health.com, 19 Signs Your Thyroid Isn't Working Right, August 30th. It serves as a reminder to me and many thyroid health advocates and sufferers that you can't and should not ignore the signs of poor thyroid health.

Check it out. You haven't lost your mind, there is clarity at the end of the tunnel. Just listen to your body and see the signs.

Well wishes,

Shemeka

We Need Change ~ PSA

 Today I share a moving PSA that my friends at ThyroidChange have shared with me. It is on ThyroidChangeTV on YouTube. It's powerful, portrays powerful recognition of the struggles many thyroid patients go through, and it's truth. Please view it. It is the very reason why I blog and depicts my strongest message to thyroid patients - be your own advocate, know your body and fight for yourself and your rights, because the struggle, while shared, is yours and our voices need to be heard.

Good day, my friends, be well,

Shemeka 

Love Thy Thyroid, Read The Petition & Sign It

I have hypothyroidism, and in a nutshell, I went to the doctor for panic attacks and anxiety. I was choking on my food, suffering from insomnia, and packing on some pounds. I was diagnosed with non-toxic multi-nodular goiter. I think that's the full diagnosis.  Fast forward...I had surgery to have my gland removed, sub-total thyroidectomy. And I have been reading books, blogs, visiting with those I can relate to and wondering in the back of my mind if I can publish the book I am working on as a resource guide for others, purely from my perspective and experiences, and how many people are really out there that truly relate to me, and wonder if they are getting the treatment they need.  I am not alone and neither are you! The Thyroid Petition, written by Michelle Teresa Bickford, and edited by Denise Rodriguez, acknowledges that "Thyroid patients are increasingly aware that there is a deficiency in thyroid knowledge among endocrinologists. As specialists of the endocrine system, the title, endocrinologist, expresses expertise and richness in experience." However, we don't always receive or easily find endocrinologists that exhibit that expertise or offer various treatment options. It is beyond frustrating, people! I was prescribed antidepressants prior to my diagnosis. It took a while for me to get my diagnosis - hypothyroidism. I am just saying...it was a road I would rather you not have to travel if you can get the right diagnosis to start with in your healthcare journey. I encourage you to read the petition, share it with your friends and help increase awareness and incite change. Share dialogue with others via e-mail, Twitter, and post this petition to your support groups and Facebook profile. "Like" the page at  https://www.facebook.com/thyroidpetition.  The petition calls for major actions. Read them!