DEAR THYROID^TM

Hello, lovely thymmunity! I know you don’t hear from me on the comments of the day (Joanna here), but I want to share a few words with you today. September, Thyroid Cancer Awareness month, is quickly approaching and Dear Thyroid is excited about coming together with other thyroid cancer organizations to tell the world that we are not okay with the presence of cancer in our lives. We need one voice. We need a bold voice.

Thyroid cancer survivors, if you haven’t already, I’m asking you to participate in our Survivorship Roll Call. I’m asking you to stand up and say, “Thyroid cancer is NOT the good cancer.” I’m asking you to say, “Thyroid cancer is NOT the easy cancer.” I’m asking you to tell the world that there is NO SUCH THING as the best cancer to get. Please know that I’m not asking you to stand alone; I’ll be standing with you, and together we will make a difference.

Why is awareness important? It’s not about becoming a fad. It’s not about being the cool ribbon to wear. It’s about invoking change. It’s about research. It’s all about finding a cure, for all of us.

xoxo,

Joanna

—

So much going on at Dear Thyroid these days; who can keep up?! Well, here’s a great post that we wrote up last week regarding all of the thylicious things that YOU can do RIGHT NOW to get involved and be a part of creating change, awareness and healing. We want everyone to get involved.

Leslie’s Dear Thyroid letter, “Pining for My Real Thyroid to Begin… Again” is spectacular; though short, brutally honest about wanting her real thyroid back. The frutrations surrounding thyroid replacement hormone are frustrating to so many of us. Please check out her letter and connect with Leslie in comments. Lend support. Provide Resources. Share your story.

Excerpt: “Can’t we try this again? No matter what people try to tell me, life will NEVER be the same without you!”

“When Were You Diagnosed With Thyroid Disease or Thyroid Cancer, And“. Though this could have been a literary healing, technically, we weren’t quite sure. The goal of this conversation was for each of us to better understand our own diseases by getting to know what others are facing, as well as providing resources. A stunning conversation ensued. There’s plenty of room to share your thoughts, too. So, don’t be shy. We posed 7 questions, of which you can answer as few or as many as you wish.

Comment of the day…

Scarlett says:

Here you go, ya’ll!

1. When Were You Diagnosed With Thyroid Disease or Thyroid Cancer?

I was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer in 2003 at the age of 22.

2. How are you managing your diagnoses?

Total thyroid-ectemy, RAI treatments (twice), daily synthroid, yearly scans.

3. Do you understand your disease

Yes, I think so.

4. Do you have thyroid cancer, what type of thyroid cancer?

YEPPERS! Papillary carcinoma.

5. Do you have a thyroid autoimmune disease, or a thyroid condition?

No more thyroid…so…no!

6. What research have you done about your disease that you can share with others?

MOST IMPORTANT RESEARCH: Vodka has NO Iodine!!!

7. What would you tell newly diagnosed thyroid patients.

Take someone with you to the Dr. because all you’re going to hear are the bad things. The other person can listen more objectively.

ALSO – keep hard copies of ALL your medical records and tests. Its really useful to have them later.

“Spectacular Sundays“, penned by Kerri Schwartz, our Director Community Outreach, has scheduled three meet-ups for September, October and November. Please check out the dates. For offline support and support groups to work, we need your help and commitment. Kerri will help you schedule a meet-up in YOUR CITY. Imagine meeting and connecting with other Dear Thyroid community members that you’ve been supportin and receiving support from online?! How fabulous. We’ve had fabulous write-ups from fellow community members who had an outstanding experience.

Check out the dates Kerri posted. If you’re available on any of them, in your city, please email her (Kerri@DearThyroid.org) or leave a note for her in comments.

Love,

Katie-

Tags: Comment of the Day, community building, Dear Thyroid, graves disease support, hashimoto's disease support, Health Community, health support community, hyperthyroid support, hypothyroid support, literary community, literary support, thyroid cancer support, thyroid community, thyroid literary community, thyroid support community

Follow Dear Thyroid on Twitter/@DearThyroid | See our Facebook Page | Become a Fan on Facebook | Join our Facebook Group

You Can Create a Dear Thyroid Profile and share with friends!